The “Art of Leadership” requires a continuous balancing of head, heart, and gut. Each situation a person encounters calls for a combination of analysis, empathy, and instinct to be used in different proportions. Effective leaders learn to trust each component. They...
Mike’s #BeIntentional — 22
Hire people better than you, then display the courage to let them prove it. Few actions define the character of a leader more than selecting, empowering and celebrating the achievements of people who are capable of taking the organization farther than the leader...
Mike’s #BeIntentional — 21
- Always put the professional and emotional needs of your people before your own. - Get to know someone first as an employee, then as a person, then as an employee. - Never take credit for something if you can give credit to someone else. - Defend your people from...
Mike’s #BeIntentional — 20
Culture is not the dye color used in a garment. It is not the style of cut or choice of accents. Culture is the "fabric" you choose to make that garment including the combination of yarns and type of weave. The right fabric allows your people to move freely, feel...
Mike’s #BeIntentional — 19
With every new job comes an opportunity to reinvent yourself as a leader. What strengths do you want to leverage? What behaviors do you want to change or stop altogether? Define the kind of leader you want to be going forward. Identify the ways you can improve your...
Mike’s #BeIntentional –18
You cannot offer too many compliments or words of appreciation. Some leaders feel the need to use them sparingly less their comments sound too routine or their people begin to feel a sense of entitlement. Employees who understand what they are doing well, and that...
Mike’s #BeIntentional — 17
I believe that Trust and Transparency are the core elements of building great relationships in the workplace. Being transparent, however, about who we truly are as individuals and professionals...our strengths, flaws, aspirations...makes us feel vulnerable. Some...
Mike’s #BeIntentional — 16
Culture is the organizational extension of the way leaders build relationships inside a company…and it starts at the very top. Culture is created, sustained and changed from the inside out…the way a leader manages relationships across the organization will define the...
Mike’s #BeIntentional — 15
If "wanting to be liked by your employees" is a leadership flaw, then count me among the world's worst bosses. Some of my most valued friends are people I work with every day. I worry about the impact of critical conversations we have on our friendship. Despite my...
Mike’s #BeIntentional — 14
"When I ask for the time of day, you tell me how to construct a watch." I have received this feedback from members of my team more than once. Striking a balance between offering too much or too little of your perspective can sometimes be a challenge. Ask people to...