Do leaders have any business in the personal affairs of their people? My short answer is, yes. What people do at home affects how they perform at work. In the Army we had a concept called the performance triad. It's elements; sleep, diet, exercise. We needed soldiers to be at the top of their game in preparation for the rigors of war. If they were up all night playing video games, or if they were eating poorly, lack luster performance would result. What they did or didn't do at home mattered. It is no different in an exceptional business.
Read MoreAs we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, I find myself reflecting on his powerful and timeless words, specifically character. As Army officers we were expected to be people of character. Merriam Webster's dictionary defines character as, one of the attributes or features that makeup and distinguish an individual. Dr. Gregg Henriques writes of character in Psychology Today, "character refers to the core ethical values of honesty and integrity, respecting others, taking responsibility for one's actions, being fair and just, and being someone who promotes love and compassion in others. We can also think about the content of character in terms of core virtues and the extent to which one embodies wisdom, humility, courage, justice, temperance, and the value of human dignity."
Read MoreYes, I'm guilty too. Guilty of not delegating when I should. It doesn't make me (or you) a bad person - just a less effective leader. Delegation is not just a word, it's a requirement of leadership. Our roles as leaders require us to see beyond the task of the moment, to grow our people, and to dedicate time and space to think strategically. Here are the three reasons leaders fail to delegate.
Read MoreWhat a week it was! I was angered and saddened at what the Wall Street Journal's editorial board rightly labeled, "performative politics" - the selfish maneuvering of a few against the many as the 118th Congress voted for its Speaker. I confess I do not have the full picture or the true intent of the "20" but I tried hard to listen and understand. My frustration turned to pride as our political institution finally delivered a peaceful transfer of power. In so many other countries this contention would have resulted in jailed individuals, burning buildings, death and destruction. While proud, I am not fooled. Our legislative branch of government has a bloody nose after that debacle and the ability to govern may be more difficult in the days ahead. As always, I'll refrain from politics and stick to leadership. Here is my advice to our newly sworn in representatives.
Read MoreHave you ever had one of those bosses who kept a calendar but never really followed it? I had a meeting set up once to meet the CEO of a large company following my retirement. His name was Chip. When I arrived at his large company, while having lunch with one of his leaders, I learned that I was 'Chip'd' meaning our meeting was canceled. I wasn't given a reason but nobody was surprised. It bothered me when I received the news. I thought, "how rude and inconsiderate." But deep down I actually understood. Chip was known as a very people-centric person. His company was high-performing with a great reputation for caring for its people and creating a great work environment - part of the reason I wanted to meet him. I certainly did not give Chip a pass. I would not have done that to someone, especially from outside my organization who made time to meet with me but I partially understood.
Read MoreHappy New Year! I hope you had a restful and peaceful holiday. It sure comes on quick and is over in a flash. I packaged up 2022 with 96 blogs totaling 42,295 words. It was very rewarding, especially when I received feedback. 2022 was a great year on many fronts. Most importantly, I grew. You were witness to that growth, whether you knew it or not, through my weekly blogs. Growth was my word for last year. In January of 2022, I bought a small business and employed a handful of great people. I sure learned a lot about small business and of course my people taught me more lessons of leadership - you never stop learning and growing. Last year's word was, I confess, a bit easy. I was destined to grow whether I wanted to or not given the new space I was entering. 2023 promises more growth for me as I scale the business and, with my team, take it to new heights. The new year requires a new word.
Read MorePicture me, prancing (pun intended) around the kitchen with my wife Leslie to the sounds of the Burl Ives Christmas playlist on Spotify, thinking about leadership. On second thought, don't picture that. It might spoil your holiday. As I navigate the earth pondering leadership considering my next blog, I thought about this time of year, more specifically its leadership figure, Kris Kringle - more commonly known as Santa Claus. My wheels began to turn and I said to my wife, as I often do, "blog post!"
Read MoreIn 2010 I was a senior trainer at a combat training center. It was a wonderful experience to coach, teach, and mentor leaders and organizations headed to combat. One of my fellow senior trainers stated once, "being a senior trainer is like being a talk show host. You spend a lot of time hosting new people, getting to know them and just talking a lot." It was humorous the way he put it but there was a lot of truth to it. Of course, I've always enjoyed dissecting and examining leadership. It helps me improve my own. So I Googled 'characters of a great talk show host.' I found some real gold.
Read More"Engaged leaders are the ones who start the day present, visible, and face-to-face with their people," so says U.S. Army General Andrew P. Poppas, Commander of U.S. Army Forces Command. In my 27 years in the Army, I heard numerous general officers state things like this - phrases directed at the lowest ranks of the Army. You would think they would speak more in terms of strategy and policy but instead we heard statements like this. I came to understand this speak - meant for the most junior leader. It's the stuff that really matters. These senior leaders understood that if the most junior leaders - lieutenants, sergeants and staff sergeants got leadership right, the Army would succeed. They were right then and they are now, and it applies to any organization.
Read MoreWhat name do you give that other version of yourself and when does he or she serve you well or poorly? We all have those other versions of us - "here comes Alice or Bob!" They can be triggered by things such as hunger, intoxication, impatience, et cetera. Often they are noticed by those close to us - spouses or siblings. In leadership, effective leaders take note of and understand these people, and they know when they are useful or not. My coach Jim Hughes put me through this self-awareness exercise and I've leaned on it ever since as I lead and interact with my friends, loved ones, and the world. There are eight versions of me. The rules don't apply to Wilhelm. Lloyd is the commander who can rally the team and take the hill. Hugh is resentful and jealous. Today I'd like you to meet Cecil.
Read MoreDon't blink your eyes, it will be Christmas day. What is it with this time of year? On the one hand it ought to be a time of giving, of gathering with workmates, family, and reflections of the year. On the other, the days seem to speed by and the pressure mounts to squeeze in work and our busy lives between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. As the Christmas countdown starts, commercials and social media pressure us to get those gifts and mail them off before it is too late. I always feel I'm behind the power curve - like I haven't decorated in time, finished my shopping and planned for pre-Christmas gatherings. Sounds like I need some leadership!
Read MoreI don't know about you but I've been to several conferences, meet-ups, and networking events in 2022, a welcome change from the virtual pandemic years. Many of them I find, include a small, colored paper bag with rope handles or a cloth tote full of goodies or swag as it is now called. If not in a bag, this swag is placed at each seat at a conference table or raffled off just for attending the event. Swag is a great way to entice people to attend and for companies to get recognition.
Read MoreAs John Maxwell says, "leadership is influence - nothing less, nothing more." I use this often when talking about and defining leadership. The United States Army uses influence in its definition of leadership. Indeed, that is what a leader is trying to do - influence the behaviors and activities of others. Influence occurs through word and deed. In this blog, I'll focus on word. Words matter, especially from a leader. Subordinates will grasp onto the words spoken by a leader and use them to guide their efforts. Leaders are speakers.
Read MoreI heard this for the first time last week. Mike Rowe, a television host who has often spoken about the "war on work," mentioned pet bereavement policies in his concern over work ethic. My initial reaction was, "what?" "really?" My puzzlement gave way to rational thought. "Is this something we need to foster a healthy work environment?" "What does the modern worker need?"
Read MoreOk, I'll hang with politics for a bit longer but, of course, I'll place my emphasis on leadership. Simply put, there is an epidemic of unhealthy disagreement these days and I find that too many political leaders are focused more on attacking a person, political party, or identified group instead of the substance and efficacy of an idea or policy. Leaders have taken this to extremes fueling ego and anger and the media gobbles it up and perpetuates it. Social media is a contributor as well. Make no mistake. As I wrote in a previous blog on Ukraine, it will be our downfall as a nation.
Read MoreWhile the mid-term election results are still pouring in and we have a run-off election to wait on (or more?) I'm thankful they are mostly over. Congratulations to those individuals elected by the people. For those who lost, I hope they do so gracefully and professionally. I hope they spend more time learning from their experience, decisions, and words, than they do pointing fingers. As always, I'll remain apolitical here, focusing instead on leadership.
Read MoreHappy Veterans Day. On this day in 1918, at the 11th hour, an armistice was signed by warring parties to end hostilities and bring World War I to a close. Armistice Day as it was originally called, became Veterans Day in June of 1954, recognizing all veterans of all wars. Today Veterans Day recognizes all who served their nation whether they served in combat or not. Each of them wrote a blank check to their country, payable with their lives. Veterans Day is for the living. While we honor our fallen each day, Memorial Day is dedicated to those who paid the ultimate price for their country. Today you can focus on those you know who served their country. And I add their wonderful spouses to this group.
Read MoreIt is healthy in an organization to promote a thirst for knowledge - to challenge the unknown, uncover problems, unearth lessons, and grow under a quest for discovery and learning. "I don't know," as statement by itself is counter to that.
Read MoreAllow me to steal from the infamous "Murphy's Law." Murphy's general premise, "if it can go wrong, it will go wrong," is the heart of his philosophy. We used this phrase and several Murphy's Law adages frequently, especially in an after action review where our mistakes were glaringly obvious. Edward A. Murphy was an aerospace engineer who served in the Army and Air Force. His 'law' gained fame during a series of failed tests on rockets in the mid 1940's. Read more here if you wish. I clearly remember this philosophy encapsulated in the hilarious (and true) list called, "Murphy's Laws of Combat." Besides Combat, there are Murphy's laws of Technology, Love, and Sex. Find them here.
Read MoreThe moral of this story is perseverance and tenacity. Sometimes you have to push and persevere against all odds. In 2006 I was a Major serving in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. My family and I were headed to the Smoky Mountains for a long weekend break. It was late Friday evening and I was on the highway headed west when my cell phone rang. My heart skipped a beat. I was serving in the 82nd after all, and calls from work long after close of business were customary. And they were never good news.
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