There may not be a word I hear more discussion about in teams and organizations than…Accountability. Every team or company says they desire greater accountability. I hear things like… “If only people were more accountable.” “We talk a good game but we don’t follow through.” “If only we had a culture of accountability.” You are not alone if you are reading any of those statements and thinking very similar thoughts about your team or organization….
Leadership is just like riding a bike. It’s another leadership lesson that is all around us. But, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In fact, we probably use the phrase “just like riding a bike” too much. The reason is that we forget all the practice, bumps, bruises, support, balance, and focus it took for us to learn how to ride a bike. It wasn’t an easy process. But, where it is “just like riding…
The pause button is a beautiful thing these days. With DVR and on-demand viewing patterns, I love hitting that little pause button on the remote control prior to watching a TV show. It freezes live television. I then have the freedom to move around the house, laugh with my kids, go to the restroom, or just do anything else. Then, when ready, we can just come back to the TV and, because of the pause…
In the most highly-distracted and busy times in the history of the world, I’m often asked how and where creative leaders make time for creativity? Of course, there is no one answer to that question. But, the question itself reveals something. We are moving so quickly and are often so scattered, which leads to a lack of creativity or room to explore. This is why I often talk about bamboo when I’m asked to speak…
So many teams and organizations in the world want to grow a spirit of empowerment. They want people who can lead by empowering others to bring their gifts into action to contribute. They don’t want people who need to be told every single thing to do and are afraid to act. They don’t want people who are frozen. They want proactive contributors. They want people who are empowered to lead and serve. When empowerment is…
I’m just recently back from an amazing trip to Bangkok, Thailand where I was honored to speak at the Global Leadership Conference for Entrepreneurs’ Organization! With over 2000 entrepreneurs from 51 countries around the globe coming together in one place, there was tremendous energy and talent. My topic Growing An Engaged Culture: The 21st Century Leader was very well received and it was fun connect with so many different people that I got to meet along…
Have you ever watched someone try to jump onboard a moving boat? It’s funny isn’t it? It is a very difficult task to perform gracefully. It’s awkward for the person jumping and for those who are already in the boat. It most certainly jostles some waves and a little discomfort in the pit of stomachs. That same experience is happening every day within teams and organizations around the world. New teammates or members will “onboard”…
(leadership lessons) We should all take our clothes off more often in our life and work. Okay, not literally (my attorney just reminded me). I’m not looking for lawsuits and neither are you or your company. So, keep your clothes on. (Real Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any of you who read this literally and actually take your clothes off at an inopportune time. Think it through, buddy.) But, metaphorically speaking, many team cultures…
I’ll let you in on a little secret… We do not trust everyone in our lives and work equally. Bam! I said it. Wow, you expected that to be more dramatic. That statement may seem obvious, but we also get fooled into thinking that we are supposed to just blindly trust everyone equally on our teams and in our organizations. But, as you fully know, we are human beings and that is just not realistic….
It may seem simple, but change begins with a conversation. Yep, that’s right. Conversations are the currency for change. It all begins with what we are willing to talk about. Yet, it is amazing how many thoughts, worries, doubts, fears, and assumptions are bouncing around our own heads every day. Multiply that by the number of people on your team or within your company or organization and you can see what a mess it can…
