As a leader, do you find yourself in reaction much of the time?  Have you become very good at putting out fires, so good that there is hardly any time to plan your day, your week, your year?  Often times managers and executives find themselves operating from this mode.  Simply responding to what comes up in front of them vs. having the time to map out what needs to get done.  One mode is certainly no better than the other, but you may find that learning to operate more from the proactive side not only has you reaching your objectives quicker, it also has you utilizing those around you to their fullest potential. Reactive leaders usually rely on their own answers, and feel that they need to know it all.  Proactive leaders fully acknowledge that they can’t possibly know it all and reach out to their teams to share and contribute their knowledge and expertise. Reactive leaders will make decisions by themselves where as proactive leaders allow others to make decisions and … [Read more...]

If you were asked what’s most important to you in life, work or family, what would you answer?  Most people, not all, but most would answer family.  And maybe deep down in our heart of hearts this is entirely true.  But if it’s true, then why do we spend so much of our time, creative energy, and passion at work?  And sometimes we are so spent; we don’t have much left for home. Many business owners, entrepreneurs, and managers would tell you that they are quite different at work than they are at home.  It’s pretty universal. We are typically stronger in one area vs. another.  At work, we show up as the assertive, decision makers, quick thinkers, and effective communicators.  When we’re at home we often feel like we are just winging it. Maybe it’s because of the aspect of unconditional love.  At home, we can mess up, make mistakes and be far less than perfect, yet somehow we know we will still be loved.  At work it’s certainly not the same.  If we mess up, … [Read more...]

Chances are if you run a business, there are some things occurring in your business that aren’t working for you.  Things that you wished were different. Whether it’s the amount of time you are spending working, or a difficult employee.  Maybe it’s an overwhelming feeling of being unsure where the business is going, or how to motivate your employees to give their fullest effort.  Whatever it may be there is one thing that is certain…if you want it to change, then someone or something has to change. We love change, right?  Especially when someone else changes, I am all for that! If that employee would change his attitude, there would be so much less stress here.  If the economy would just improve, we would be thriving.  If my team would be more productive, I could spend more time at home enjoying my family. How many times have you caught yourself saying those things? So if it’s not about the other person changing, then what does that leave?  It’s a no brainer, … [Read more...]

I have just taken up an exercise class called “Jazzercise”.  And if you know anything about “Jazzercise” then you know it can be incredibly challenging, depending on the instructor you gravitate towards.  Even for a former professional dance, I find myself very challenged in this class, especially the classes taught by Marla.  Marla is not just any ordinary instructor, she is a super human.  With the kind of body that you’d die for and her energy is beyond what I have ever mustered up on my best day.  She’s the bomb! Her class is by far the toughest that I have encountered, and that’s precisely the reason that I take it. In a recent class I was observing all the different levels of physical conditions of all of the participants, and for the most part, in the 40 or so attendees, I do a pretty good job of keeping up, given my lifetime of dance lessons.  Now, I don‘t say that to toot my own horn, I am saying it to make a point…why on earth would anyone put … [Read more...]

Do you have a championship caliber team at your place of business?  If you have anything but this, you need to read this article.  Because what I want you to know is that having an amazing environment at work is possible.  You can have people lined up at your door to come and work for you. And better yet, you can have good people NEVER want to leave because of the culture you can build.  It’s possible.  I’ve seen it happen over and over and over again. So what does it require to create this type of extraordinary team?  Well Scott Hunter says it best in opening chapter of his book Unshackled Leadership, Building Businesses Based on Faith, Trust, Possibility and Abundance…  “After 20+ years of working in and observing organizations of every type and size, I have noticed a theme all successful ones share.  They have enthusiastic, confident, optimistic, appreciative and happy people who work together on behalf of a future they have all committed themselves to.” Is … [Read more...]