The One Thing

Apr 16, 2013 | Strategic Planning

Unlike the movie City Slickers in which Billy Crystal's character realizes that "The One Thing" in life that will make you happy is different for everyone, in business, we must make it very clear to all of our employees what The One Thing is we're trying to achieve as an organization. If we don't, our employees may inadvertently waste tons of time, money, energy, and other resources by working towards other things. The need to talk about The One Thing (or for those of you familiar with my...

Ten Little Questions

Nov 13, 2012 | Leadership Development, Strategic Planning

A client recently asked me for guidance on how she should gauge her managers' understanding of their organization's strategic plan. She doesn't believe her managers fully appreciate how important their roles are in ensuring the plan succeeds. She fears they believe it is up to the executive staff to make it happen and ensure the longevity of the organization. I suggested she have an individual meeting with each manager and ask each manager ten little, but very insightful questions. What will...

Train Your Shrinking Labor Pool

Dec 6, 2011 | Leadership Development

According to the US Labor Department “by 2008 the growth of the U.S. Workforce is projected to drop to near zero and remain at that level for the next 25 years. This is the consequence of a vast exodus of 79 million U.S. baby boomers who will retire from the workforce between 2010 and 2015. Hiring new employees will become more problematic as wages increase for the fewer people with the right skills."* Pretty sobering isn't it? However, for anyone paying attention to the news for the past...

A Self-Respecting Leader: Robert 'Tink' Lehmer

Oct 24, 2011 | Leadership Development

I never met Robert 'Tink' Lehmer. I wish I had. He thought the way great leaders think. I say this because of a little poem he wrote in 1976. Tink's poem was shared during a Leadership Training program graduation ceremony I recently attended. My hope for the graduates is that they paid attention and took his words to heart. If the graduates did, his words will serve them well. Myself (Written June 11, 1976) I have to live with myself, and so I want to be fit for myself to know I...

That’s Not My Job

Sep 19, 2011 | Leadership Development

I recently had lunch with a consulting colleague. He'd just left a client meeting and was rubbing his temples in an attempt to ease a headache. When I asked if there was something specific bothering him, he replied, "Why are people so afraid to take responsibility and do their jobs?" Apparently during the meeting it had become obvious the project would need additional work as my colleague had pointed out gaps in the team's initial planning. However, as my colleague asked each of the four team...