General Advice
Beware the Question of Capability in an Interview
“Are you sure (blank) is the right person for this job?” Have you been asked this question? If so, pay close attention both to the question and to the implications of your answer. The higher up the person asking it, the more carefully you need to listen and consider your response. For example, when a […]
Continue ReadingA Fundamental Skill for Success is the Ability to Ask for Help
I’m experiencing what it feels like when something I “knew all along” becomes tangible. It’s a little embarrassing and kind of fun at the same time. Uncomfortable, for sure, but important. Here’s the revelation. A fundamental skill for success today is the ability to ask for help. “Well, of course,” you might be thinking, “that’s […]
Continue ReadingIntellectualizing Development and What Makes a Good Leader
Leadership development is a subject of keen and perpetual interest. Are leaders made or born? What makes a good leader? How does a person develop the ability to lead effectively? What are the competencies of good leadership? In attempting to answer these questions and ultimately to make leadership development a more predictable and linear process, […]
Continue ReadingAre you on Auto Pilot as a Person?
Have you ever stopped dead still and asked yourself, “What am I doing?” If you haven’t, please do. And pay attention to the answer. I’m amazed at the numbers of people I encounter who are on auto-pilot. You’ve surely heard the expression, “The lights are on, but nobody’s home.” That sums up a lot of […]
Continue ReadingA Word on Customer Abuse, Telecom Style
Memo to the new AT&T powered by SBC: Get your facts straight and your systems aligned before you trumpet exciting service offers or incredibly low pricing. And spare me the bit about excellent customer service. As a loyal DSL customer, you offered me favorable renewal rates if I upgraded my service online. In a letter […]
Continue ReadingLeadership is About Responsibility and Sharing Knowledge
I’ve had a fascinating couple of weeks meeting people, giving presentations, answering questions, asking some of my own. I’ve met a lot of edgy people–impatient, frustrated, nervous, anxious, wistful, naive, clueless. I guess that describes all of us at one point or another! My leadership development work takes me to the offices of a diverse […]
Continue ReadingTo Change your Life, Feed a Dream. Starve a Worry.
It’s cold and flu season again and as we suffer the nasty symptoms and wish we could feel better faster, we think of the old adage, “Feed a cold, starve a fever.” Or was it the other way around? Whichever way it was, this advice represents a remedy that is within our reach. Using this […]
Continue ReadingEvery Sunset is as Different as Every Day
I was driving home from a late afternoon meeting today with a dear friend who is struggling to do the right thing for his ailing, failing mother. He tells me with tears in his eyes how she kicked his butt when he was young and taught him what it took to be a man of […]
Continue ReadingThree Essential Characteristics for Success
People often ask me, “What do I need to do to be successful?” The answer to that question depends on a lot of things, not the least of which is your personal definition of success. For some it’s money. For others, fame. Still others want freedom. There are many varieties of success, making a simple […]
Continue ReadingFinding the Point in Your Life Where You Accept Change
What’s your limit? When do you know you’ve ‘had enough’ of whatever is bothering you? Whether it’s pressure at work, escalating taxes, or dysfunction in a personal relationship, what is it that finally makes you change your life? An odd question? Perhaps. But one worth considering if you’re serious about finding success and happiness. Some […]
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