I Need A Pedicure

I find it interesting how everyone Uses the end of the year for review and planning. It’s on everyone’s mind, the year-end review, goal-setting for next year, tweaking the strategic plan, and counting up every one of those sales credits. With all this focus on...

Duct Tape On The Rear View Mirror

        The handy mans secret weapon… Red Green would say.  He could build, fix, re-fix, and fix again anything, using duct tape as his “secret weapon”.  I’ve become a fan of duct tape as well.  Now, instead of limiting me to furnace grey, it...

That Danged Glass

I was golfing this past weekend with old friends.  We’ve golfed together Saturday mornings for 30 years, and we know each-other well enough so there is a good blend of kidding each-other, as well as digging a bit deeper into more personal issues in front of us. I was...

Because It Is The Right Thing

I was working with an executive coaching client recently, helping him to prepare to interview and select a key new member of his leadership team. Harold is president and CEO of a large company, and as a result of working “on” the business instead of “within” the...

Do You Trust Me?

When Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick collaborated on their famous song “Do you love me” from Fiddler on the roof, the combination of the melody and the pleading lyrics create a memorable phrase that seems to stay with you.  And finally after Tevye and Golde agree “I...

It’s still about Fear and Greed

On October 19th 1987, all the hopes and dreams that had been built into a steadily growing investment account for many, was dashed in one dark sullen day with the largest one-day percentage decline in recorded stock market history.  Like the market decline of the...

Make Friends and Business Follows

One of the most truly remarkable business experiences I have ever had was presented to me in the late 1980s. I was invited to participate in a merger and acquisition presentation in New York City. As the deal was broken down into detail, it was clear this would be the...

Sharing is Rare

When I consider great leaders, I find there are several noteworthy styles or characteristics that overlap each of the 12 competencies. For example, every Rare Leader™ must be passionate about leading organizations and people. Passion in leadership is not rare, but...

Then It Must Be My Fault

I’ve gone through most of my adult life believing we have carried forward one of those great attributes of childhood where it’s never our fault, it must’ve been someone else. When I was a preschooler, my older brother and I were playing ball in the front yard. One of...