Great leaders don’t set out to be leaders. They set out to make a difference. Yes, I know. That sounds like one of those high testosterone posters in the employee cafeteria. But it’s absolutely true. And it could serve as a guide for anyone who’s less interested in personal plaudits than in exercising influence for…
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Many business leaders—at least the ones who’ve stayed alert—learned something really important during the global pandemic lockdowns. They came to the realization that anxiety is a serious business issue. Think about it. Millions of people were working remotely, managing their at-home responsibilities while feeling the pressure of staying connected with their work teams. Many issues…
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More women than ever are starting their own businesses. They’re willing to embrace the title—and the risks—of “entrepreneur.” A 2019 study commissioned by American Express showed that in the previous five years the number of women-owned businesses in the U.S. climbed 21%, while all businesses increased only 9%. Total employment for women-owned businesses rose 8%,…
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It’s been said that loss reminds us about the worth of things. That seems especially true when it comes to the death of a friend or loved one. Over the past year and a half, I have lost several associates, including one treasured pal whose friendship dates back nearly six decades. The Covid pandemic put…
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In today’s fast-paced world, running a successful business requires more agility, consumer focus, and innovation than ever. Whether you sell shoes, computers, groceries, or even intangibles like online courses, the digital age can either propel you to boom or bust. Your choice. And guess what. Winning in the digital age is actually less about how…
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Digital communication, we were told, would save us time and strengthen relationships. It seems the jury is still out on how that’s really working. Sure, sending a brief text or email can be quicker than playing phone tag. But there are risks. Occasionally the miscue is simply a typo, like the time I began an…
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I recently enjoyed a lively and informative webinar featuring my friend Ed Schein. Ed is professor emeritus at the MIT Sloan School of Management and wrote several of the ground-breaking books in the fields of career development and organizational culture. In the webinar, Ed talked in detail about the roles of trust and humility in…
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When was the last time you heard someone complaining about not being busy enough? Never. We’re all busy. But busyness comes in many forms. And most of us know that busyness is not necessarily synonymous with producing the results we really want. Greg McKeown is an expert in defining and refining goals, then simplifying the…
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Management guru Peter Drucker had a knack for aphorisms that stop you in your tracks. One of my favorites is “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” Ouch! Been there, done that. When mapping out my plans for each day, I ask myself “Does this project…
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