When senior leaders consistently make good decisions, little else matters; when they make bad decisions, nothing else matters. Effective decision-making stands at the center of executive leadership and organizational success. As leaders climb the ladder to top positions, others call on them regularly to solve problems and occasionally to make decisions. At the top, these […]
The Crucibles of Destiny Read More »
Men experiencing contraction pains has proven popular in Jinan, China. In fact, Jinan Aima Maternity Hospital opened its “Pain Experience Camp” in November, and in a misguided attempt to show solidarity with their pregnant wives, more than three hundred men have signed up to experience the electric shock meant to simulate the sensation of childbirth.
No Practice Bleeding in 2015 Read More »
The December 15th edition of People reported that the Discovery Channel had filmed adventurer Paul Rosolie being eaten alive by a giant anaconda on December 7th. But the magazine went to press too soon; it didn’t happen. With sterling intentions, Rosalie donned a high-tech carbon fiber suit with breathing and communications systems to allow him
Snakes in the C-Suite Read More »
This year my clients have made enormous gains, some hiring top performers into key positions; others executing demanding strategies; everyone challenging the ordinary. But not everything happened seamlessly. Here’s what my clients taught me this year: 1. Most clients don’t lose to the competition; they lose to the status quo. Fear of change, an unwillingness
Ten Things Clients Taught Me in 2014 Read More »
Espoused beliefs reflect those perceptions that an organization’s leaders consider “correct.” Over time, members of an organization learn that certain beliefs work to reduce uncertainty, so these beliefs gradually develop into an articulated set of norms and operational rules of behavior that serve as a guide for dealing with ambiguity or difficult events. As new
Brainwashing or Influence? Read More »
The culture of the U.S. Navy changed forever as the result of the scandal surrounding the 35th Annual Tailhook Association Symposium at the Las Vegas Hilton—a disgrace that involved the bad decisions of those who assaulted women at the 1991 symposium and of those engaged in the resulting investigations conducted by the Department of the
Bad Judgment: The Mother of Unintended Consequences Read More »
People frequently ask me about the advisability of testing sales people for pre-employment or succession planning. Don’t do it! I discourage the practice for several reasons. First, the skill set of sales people differs from that of others in the organization. Certainly, the battery of tests I use would determine if a given sales professional
Don’t Get Testy with Salespeople Read More »
Senior leaders spend most of their days solving problems and making decisions, the two critical functions that form the hinges of destiny. Each time you engage in either, you stand at a pivot—a turning point that will take you in directions that will contribute to your success or demise, and influence the lives of others.
Ten Decisions That Kill Your Culture Read More »
In today’s economy, ordinary just won’t work anymore. Now organizations increasingly depend on cutting-edge solutions to never-before-seen problems and clever ideas for those recurring headaches that have always plagued them. However, research indicates that only a handful of star performers create the vast majority of valuable ideas for their organizations. Leaders who choose to lead
Six Ways to Become a Great Company Read More »
We think of self-esteem, confidence, and mindset as an individual’s internal locus of power and control. These factors determine and guide a person’s beliefs, behaviors, and decisions—the combination explaining a person’s success. When we discuss this concentration of perceptions in an organization, we use words like “brand” and “culture,” but we address the same issues.
Poverty Mentality Leads to Poor Decisions Read More »
