As former University of Notre Dame president Theodore Hesburgh once said, “The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.” Simply put, leaders must have an idea of what future they are leading toward if they are to have any hope of getting anyone to follow!
A few weeks ago I wrote about one of my colleagues and a unique experience she had when a group of her peers spent a few very intentional minutes sincerely praising and recognizing her for the wonderful person she is. This is a beautiful example of the value of appreciation and recognition. In chapter 11
When writing my latest book, Be An Inspirational Leader: Engage, Inspire, Empower, I knew I wanted to include a section about raising up other leaders. Initially I titled that section “Implement a Leader-Development Strategy.” But as I thought about and worked on that particular chapter and really dug into the research, I realized that implementing
When investing in those you lead, don’t just offer general job training and educational programs to your people as a whole; go beyond group solutions to really focus on specific needs, customizing growth opportunities according to individual roles, interests, and strengths. Strive to recognize potential in those you lead and push them to achieve it
Leadership coach Peter Baeklund once heard this exchange between an organization’s CFO and CEO: CFO: “What happens if we invest in developing our people and then they leave us?” CEO: “What happens if we don’t, and they stay?” While the CFO was understandably concerned with the organization’s expenditures and bottom line, the CEO wisely understood
One of my team members left this week with her family to begin formal training to become foreign missionaries. They will be moving to another country in just a few months time. This young woman, Emily Sirkel, has worked with me for the past five and a half years, and it has been a privilege and an honor to have her
Last week we talked about building connections and cultivating authentic relationships. This week I want to share 5 ways in which leaders can promote connection throughout their organization—fostering a healthy, connected workplace culture: Be proactive when hiring. When interviewing potential new team members, make sure to focus on culture-fit as much as or even more
The most inspirational leaders excel in building connections. By “building connections” I don’t mean merely corporate networking and exchanging business cards. While every leader typically engages in that kind of networking to some degree, inspirational leaders go beyond networking to build genuine relationships with those they lead and influence. I briefly touched on the importance
