You know how we all have those words that make us look up? Phrases where you know, in your head, what they meant, but it still makes you want to correct them? For me, the phrase pops up when talking about recruiting. I hear it all the time, “I’m trying to hire a product marketer …
Many folks assume that in order to lead well, you need to stay clear of the details – sticking only to the 10,000 foot perspective. I don’t agree. The best leaders I’ve worked with have had an ability to be keen observers and able to ask the right questions so that they can get into …
Don’t let the worst employees define your processes. Years ago I worked for a company that had internet access for all the employee computers but the sites Yahoo! and ESPN were unavailable. It turns out a couple of employees had been spending way too much time checking basketball scores – so the company had eliminated …
Leaders create new opportunities and roles that make the most of a person’s talents, rather than trying to fit people into pre-existing roles.
Sometimes you just need someone to say it. So I’ll be the one to tell you – you can’t do it all. This isn’t a message of focus. It’s not an attempt to tell you to strategically choose what’s on your “to do” or “won’t do” lists. Nope. This is just the recognition that we …
Every team and organization develops their own optimization strategies for staffing, assignments and utilization. The trick is not to fall in love with it.
Today I read a blog post from Tim Ferriss that sounded familiar. When I scrolled back up I realized I’d read it before – a couple years ago. But here’s the thing – I wasn’t ready to try it back then. So I promptly forgot it. Today when I read it, I was more ready …
Leaders are people who pay attention to timing CONTINUE READING
A buddy of mine introduced me to the phrase, “The speed of the leader, the speed of the team.” It represents the notion that leaders can sometimes slow the progress of their team, just like they can also help it move more quickly. I’ve never wanted my teams to perform poorly. I’ve never signed up …
The other day I said to my boss, “After this is over, I’d like to sit down and talk thru where I made mistakes or where I made all of this harder than it should have been.” Fifteen years ago I would have never said that. It would have been a request to have someone …
When Charles “Sully” Sullenberger got on the plane and flight that would make him famous, nothing suggested they’d one day make a film depicting his calm decision making. The toughest call he made is one barely depicted in the movie, Sully. He chose to keep flying the plane. He had the First Officer start going …