The best views come after the hardest climb. That truism is embraced by any self-respecting high adventurer. And in this case, “high adventurer” applies to workplace achievers as well as to people braving the treacherous footholds of Mount Everest. Perhaps more than ever, people in the workplace must learn to expand their comfort zones. Research…
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Let’s face it. The Covid pandemic has brought more disruption to our lives than most of us could ever have imagined. Businesses of every kind have been forced to alter their operating models. Schools at every level are scrambling to serve their students, coping with the tenuous (and ever-changing) balance between safety and effective learning.…
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Integrity, it’s been said, is not something to show off to others. It’s what you should be doing even when nobody’s looking. Integrity is the choice between what’s convenient and what’s right. Along with quality, accountability and trust, “integrity” is one of the most common words you’ll find on corporate values statements. If you listen…
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We live at a time when brash and loud seem to be the norm. Our commerce and civic life—and especially our politics—seem to be dominated by in-your-face noise. Steve Herz recommends a different approach. Steve is a talent agent who represents more than 250 of today’s top journalists, broadcast executives, and media personalities at CBS,…
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“Do what you can with all you have, wherever you are.” Teddy Roosevelt said that more than a century ago, long before Twitter feeds and Instagram memes. Today, when some people still get sucked into the vortex of victimization and blame, the path to success—and even the definition of success—seems to be up for debate.…
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Now, perhaps more than ever, the success of organizations (not to mention entire industries) requires open and honest collaboration between individuals and teams. That may sound simple enough. But it requires a skill that eludes some people: asking for help. Mastering the “strategic ask” is critical to solving problems, cultivating breakthroughs, bridging organizational silos, sharing…
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In this age of “cancel culture,” many people are reluctant to speak their minds for fear of being ridiculed, shamed, or even banished. A superior, holier-than-thou mindset seems to be the new favorite tool of bullies. But more subtle versions have been seen in the workplace for as long as any of us can remember.…
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“Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.” If that line rings familiar, you recognize it from John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address. In that speech six decades ago, he was talking about international diplomacy. But that sentiment applies just as readily to business deals and personal relationships. Nobody understands…
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My friend Jim Rainey took over the reins of a huge agribusiness concern that had been hemorrhaging from operating losses for the previous five years. As the “turnaround guy,” he carried a heavy load of expectations. A few days after joining the company, Jim walked into an early morning strategic planning meeting. You can imagine…
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