As CEO, you’re frequently called on to introduce someone—a celebrity for your big client event of the year, an industry guru for your management meeting, a politician for a community gathering. Whatever the occasion, you never want to be that person who disappoints the speaker, confuses the crowd, and embarrasses yourself. As I sat in […]
Introducing Your Next Speaker–Rough, Ruinous, or Rousing? Read More »
Pop quiz here: Do you sometimes second-guess yourself about decisions until opportunities pass? Do colleagues and clients frequently seek your opinion on their big decisions? Do you often get feedback on the quality of your contributions in meetings? Do those meeting ideas produce the results you intend? Like artists, wise leaders analyze and focus on
Are You A Smart Manager or A Wise Leader? Read More »
The essence of leadership is communication: to cast a vision, to inspire, to collaborate on strategy, and to engage followers in accomplishing a mission. But let’s face it: Many leaders fall flat on their face when it comes to communication. The only thing that keeps the organization afloat and followers on target are those second-in-command
6 Communication Blunders Leaders Make — And How to Avoid Them Read More »
Forget all the blather about how companies love their customers. It’s just talk. I’m convinced that 90 out of 100 organizations simply tolerate customers. Their customers represent only a means to profit, and that message comes through loud and clear to those callers all too often. Five recent examples from my own experience illustrate the
Are You Unintentionally Cutting Off Customer Communication? Read More »
If you’re a leader, a healthy dose of fear can be a good thing. In fact, if fear doesn’t push you to take a risk, to up your game, to push to top performance, you may hit rock bottom in your career. That’s especially true if you’re plan to speak before large groups of employees,
How Leaders Use Fear to Excel as Public Speakers Read More »
The new CEO wanted to slug it out of the ballpark at his first all-hands meeting. Employees were watching the broadcast from around the globe. Obviously, engaging those assembled in the auditorium in front of him would be much easier. But he didn’t want to miss the first opportunity to gain their confidence that he
Are You Telling Stories–Or Anecdotes? Read More »
Leadership has been the tip of everyone’s tongue of the last decade. From convention keynoters, to coaches, to political pundits, everyone insists they want a cadre of leaders to carry out their mission. So for all the talk, techniques, training, and tips on the leadership topic, you’d think managers, executives, and professionals at all levels
Learning What Leadership Is NOT Read More »
Leaders think strategically, understand the critical link between focus and clarity, and appreciate the value of time. So fewer and fewer are inclined to let others waste their time. Brevity has become a basic communication skill for professionals. Here are six best practices as a leader: Be brief when speaking off-the-cuff. Lectures are for the
Leader, Be Brief or Be Dismissed Read More »
Both the CFO and the CEO stuck their hand into the air as I concluded my keynote and called for questions. “Why don’t employees communicate up in an organization?” There was a little more than a twinge of frustration in the CEO’s question. The CFO added his nod of dismay. It’s a common conundrum in
5 Reasons Employees Don’t Communicate Upward in Your Organization Read More »
Did you ever play a game as a child when you made up the rules as you went along? I’m guessing that those evolving rules often proved to be a source of contention! Leaders at work find the same to be true. When managers decide to disregard their moral compass as the official business handbook,
Leaders: Legal, Ethical, Right? Read More »
