Leaders plan and execute a strategy, scenario plan for alternatives, and mitigate risks. However, one’s subjective expectations often do not align with the objective reality. The effect from this cause is the requirement to respond to crises without sufficient time to think/plan/prepare. In Machiavelli’s The Prince, he details the unexpected events that must be dealt with….not…

Recently, I was delivering a leadership development program to a federal agency, based on the Federal Government’s 5 key competencies: Managing Change, Managing People, Business Acumen, Results Driven, and Building Collaboration. Some interesting participant quotes from the session: · “We are thoroughly paralyzed through the election.”· “We have to react and respond…. We do not…

I recently heard Bill Whitmore, CEO of AlliedBarton Security Services, speak at a Symposium. With over 50,000 employees serving as security officers at hundreds of customers’ companies, his employees are his business instead of a product or service. He said that the company’s focus must be “inside-out”…that their brand inside will connect to the customers…

State governments are struggling with serious budget deficits with almost all areas being cut. However, some areas (i.e. education) have louder voices than others (i.e. prisoner integration back into society). Last year, when Parade magazine asked Americans what type of organization they would donate to, they responded in this order: food & shelter for the…

TGIF. Thank Goodness It’s Friday…the end of the work week. Except this week, I was on vacation Monday through Wednesday. As I am writing this, it is currently Friday, and I’m charging ahead with work deliverables. Giving yourself time to Replenish provides time to “refuel the tank.” However, the American “To Do” list hinders our…

Where is the intersection between personal passion (“happiness”) and organizational need (“hunger”)? If you are standing in the middle of it, then your satisfaction with life and career should be the highest. Conversely, if you cannot identify where this intersection is, then it is time to buy a map and reroute. Locating this intersection provides…

A stranger stopping in the road to assist someone in a car wreck….or doing the Heimlich in a restaurant? How about Daniel Hernandez, the 20 year old intern to U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords who ran through gunfire to apply first aid to the congresswoman until paramedics could arrive? Heroes do not have to be leaders….

A while back, I had breakfast with the CEO of the Heart Hospital of Austin, David Laird. His hospital has increased their employee engagement and customer satisfaction to top levels, as well as improved their performance [rated #1 hospital to have a heart attack, due to the superb care]. He shared his leadership philosophies with…

When discussing employee engagement and morale, results need to be considered, too. If you empower employees, provide flexible work schedules, or create a strong brand – what is the financial impact? As a consultant, I prefer results-based contracts….selling a deliverable instead of an hourly rate. I’ve always been amazed that lawyers bill this way. I…

I have enjoyed the last 1.5 weeks of watching the Olympics, starting with the opening ceremonies featuring the Queen’s sky diving! A representative of the athletes takes the Olympic Oath, which is a formal pledge/promise binding them to a conventional standard. What if we did this for our company? With today’s ethical challenges (both corporate…