Category: Uncategorized

I usually keep my posts dedicated to workplace and corporate leadership issues.  I read this post this morning from The Juggle titled "What About Spouse Time."  It left me thinking about the importance of leading in the family.

The time we invest in our spouse and/or children cannot be underestimated.  Quite frankly, their more likely to listen and respond than your organization.  Forgive me if you work for an organization that loves you as much as your family.

What can you do today (not tomorrow, not after you get back from the business trip, etc.) to influence your family and change the world.

By the way, I’m learning to take my own advice.

This post from Fast Company makes you think a lot about your business model.  Have you fallen in love with your model?  Do you feel good because last quarter’s numbers were great?  Are you booking more gigs than last year at this time?

I don’t mean to rain on the parade…I would just recommend that you evaluate (on a regular basis) your business model.  Things change quickly these days…sometimes in very subtle and quiet ways. 

Better be ready to turn the ship.

What comes to your mind when you know you’re attending an event (conference, team meeting or presentation) where Power Point will be used?  For me, boredom and malaise are way up there.  That’s because everyone is just doing what they’ve always done with the visual thing.  Can’t we do something different?  Something that speaks to where we’re at.

My friend Steve Hopkins, who is the director of training for SCBO, uses Power Point, but he also uses cinema.  You might see a clip from O Brother Where Art Thou? or something that changes your mood and wakes up your senses.

Seth Godin gives some wonderful insights on a really bad power point.  Judging by his comments I’m not alone in my thoughts. 

Understand, I’m not calling for the end of Power Point.  Things change though…

Tim Sanders has a great post today titled Master Your Subject Line.  He tackles the art of e-mailing-e-mailing well.  In our hurried world, getting better at communicating through e-mail is essential.

Some of my former colleagues would tell you that I hated e-mail that contained three or four paragraphs.  Shakespeare was right…brevity is the soul of wisdom. 

Tim stays on the issue of subject lines, which is a good place to start the dialog.

Found this slide show on Fast Company today.  It gives you ten things to think about regarding Microsoft’s new OS Vista.

You decide if there’s value to Microsoft’s pitch.

In a post from today’s The Juggle you get a regrettable story around life choices.  So what’s more important, your life or your career.  I know its not an either/or game, but our culture has elevated career to a place not intended.  In my upcoming book ("Waking Up in Corporate America") I try to emphasize that work is a tool to grow your life…not the other way around. 

Yes, often it is better to choose your daughter’s dance recital over a work project.  If you’re a results oriented professional (meaning you’re good at what you do), then don’t be afraid of the consequences.  Talented people are always in demand.

We’re surrounded by so many fears.

Guy Kawasaki has a great post today about The Top Ten Ways to Hinder Market Adaption.  I learned a few things for my online pursuits, but I also came away encouraged that someone else in the universe feels my same frustration.  This pertains to the mind-numbing approach that some companies take in making it "easy" for customers to interact with said company.

I have been outspoken about corporate America’s failure in producing leaders.  Guy’s examples are fitting with my critique.  Why would you make it hard for customers to do business (however you measure that)?  Security…online or otherwise?  You can make a customer happy and still be secure.  If you can’t, you probably are soon to be out of business.

Great leaders understand that you begin with the end and then work your way back.  In other words, the customer’s happiness back to their entrance (online or in-person) to your business. 

These principles are pretty simple, but you have to be able to see it.

David Widener’s piece from Market Watch Weekend on Citigroup doesn’t say it all.  Quite frankly, he glosses over the reason why Citi is struggling.  Their culture is ripe for the problems it faces today.  The story around Todd Thompson’s departure is ironic sense he was a key leader charting the future for the organization.  Wow, do you really need a wood burning fireplace in your office? 

Certainly Mr. Thompson’s age and the power granted was the issue.  If anybody new the importance of managing the P&L it would have been him.  Sadly, power has a way of corrupting our best intentions…even average intentions.

So few executives no how to handle the power they’ve been given.  Ask the majority of Fortune 500 companies how they prepare their top leaders for the power given and you’ll most likely get an awkward pause.  It’s not that they don’t want leaders that handle power well, they just trample the issue on their way to the analyst conference call. 

Maybe Citigroup should invest in a development program that address "power management."  If they already have one, then maybe they need to evaluate how effective the program is…in delivering results.

This post from the Wall Street Journal Davos Blog is telling on Warren Buffett’s management style.  Melinda Gates makes a glowing comment at the World Economic Forum about Buffett and his approach to a $30 billion dollar gift to the Gates Foundation. 

Now if this guy who gives away billions can let go and get out of the way, then why do leaders in some organizations take a different approach?  Who’s got more to lose?  Maybe Buffett realizes the connection between risk and reward…I guess his investment returns reflect that.

If you’re a manager with a tight reign (more than likely because you’re afraid of loss), take some hints from Warren.  You might be surprised by how many people are waiting for you to let go and get out of the way.

Seth Godin has a great post on Creativity that illustrates the challenge when you seek to move your ideas.  Learning execution is important…