“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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Let’s get real. Too many people are in the business of busyness. In fact, a crammed-full calendar is sometimes regarded as a badge of honor. Living on the edge of burnout is too often accepted as “just the way it is.” What’s up with this? How did we ever get on this deadly and counterproductive…
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With a wife, three daughters, eight granddaughters, and hundreds of female friends and colleagues, I have a well-developed appreciation for the amazing value women bring to our ever-evolving world I’m also aware that gender bias, social traditions and other realities of modern life can pose speed bumps for women. I wish it weren’t so, yet…
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No one on his deathbed ever said “I wish I’d spent more time at the office.” Don’t get me wrong. Work is a wonderful thing. It can be very fulfilling and can provide meaningful service to others. But personal relationships are the most important things in our lives. It’s through relationships with others that we…
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Many leaders use present-forward thinking to move their organizations forward in small increments. Conversely, “future-back” thinking can enable leaders to plan for and build a more prosperous and sustainable future. That’s the view of Mark W. Johnson and Josh Suskewicz, co-authors of Lead from the Future: How to Turn Visionary Thinking into Breakthrough Growth. In…
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