When you know that something is true and someone contradicts that knowledge, you likely reject, perhaps forcefully, what the person said without giving the statement much consideration. After all, you already know that the person is wrong, so why should you listen? In fact, you should actually set the person straight, right? As a new leader, who is trying to build your … [Read more...]
Credibility: Do You Have It?
This guest post is from the General Leadership Blog, a blog that offers leadership perspective and conversation on character and integrity from senior military leaders. Credibility is arguably one of the more important soft skills a leader must possess. It encompasses so many of the harder skills that if you make your credibility a priority as a leader – both up and down – … [Read more...]
Leaders Recognize the Importance of Traditions
Memorial Day is an important day for all Americans to remember and honor those who fought and died for our freedom. In cities and towns across the country this weekend, a variety of traditions will celebrate and honor this fact. As a resident of Indianapolis, home of the Indianapolis 500, I love the rich history of traditions and rituals that are a part of the race … [Read more...]
[Infographic]: Inside the Mind of a Successful Manager
You're new to this whole management or leadership gig, and you may not yet know the ropes. However, you've been managed at some point, so you at least understand how a "good" or a "bad" manager acts. If you have ever dealt with the latter, you probably remember how miserable the bad manager made you. Review this infographic, created by the good folks at Pepperdine University … [Read more...]
You and Your Employees Should Be Taking More Risks
Management guru Peter Drucker once said "People who don’t take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year. People who do take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year." The lesson here? You are going to make mistakes whether you take chances or not. However, if you don't take risks, you will miss opportunities to innovate and excel. You are better off to … [Read more...]
5 Reasons You Should Care About Values
Values play a huge role in behavior and results; however, because values are personal, and not always clearly defined, the idea of values is often omitted from both leadership discussions and training sessions. As a new leader, it's smart to think about your values and the role they play in how you lead, and hopefully, this article prompts you to do that. A quick note first: … [Read more...]
Are You an Optimist or Pessimist?
Unless this is the first thing you have read from me, you know my answer to that question. Harvey Mackay summarizes my feelings on this issue perfectly (see his words to the right). I believe your answer to this question is critical to the level of influence and success you will experience as a new leader, and in life, in general. To get you thinking about this, I'd like you … [Read more...]
Leadership Lessons From the Presidential Campaign
Every four years the U.S. elects a new President. The process isn’t simple, and it certainly isn’t short. Because the process plays out in the news media, and because it requires leadership both to gain the job and do the job, you can learn a lot from the campaign this year, including: Don't Miss Opportunities to Communicate Political candidates excel at finding … [Read more...]
[Infographic]: Even the Most Successful People Fail Miserably
Every body fails from time to time, and as a new leader, you will too, but its not something that should keep you awake at night or stop you from taking chances. Because when (not if because it is going to happen) you fail, you receive an opportunity to learn a valuable lesson, while also proving to everyone how resilient, accountable and motivated you are. So rather than … [Read more...]
Why the Best Leaders Do the Dirty Work
Some people think that once they ascend to a leadership role they don't have to do “real work” anymore. Even if you don’t feel that way, there is a good chance your employees do. There is no question that as a leader, you have different responsibilities than you had as an individual contributor. However, the best leaders realize it isn’t an either/or proposition. There is … [Read more...]