What is the focus of your learning? Think about it carefully. As a human being and as a leader, what is the focus of your learning? In chapter 5 of his recently published book titled Sometimes You Win – Sometimes You Learn, John Maxwell writes, “The desire to improve themselves is the DNA of all successful …
Leaders can be motivated by many things. Some leaders pursue a position of leadership simply because it’s a normal career path. Others become leaders in hopes of greater salaries and better benefits. And of course there will always be the leaders who are seeking power and control. But by far the best leaders are …
“After more than forty years leading and mentoring people, I have come to the conclusion that responsibility is the most important ability that a person can possess. Nothing happens to advance our potential until we step up and say, ‘I am responsible.’ If you don’t take responsibility, you give up control of your life.” The …
One of the most critical foundations for productive learning and leadership excellence is understanding and accepting reality. Not what we wish, not what we hope for or what we want to believe. It is truly amazing how many leaders do not clearly understand reality. Or staunchly refuse to believe and accept reality. In the end these …
In chapter 2 of Sometimes You Win—Sometimes You Learn, author John Maxwell discusses the critical importance of humility. He writes, “Pride is concerned about who’s right. Humility is concerned about what’s right.” I love the immense wisdom contained within this short but powerful statement. Following this reality is a key element to achieving true leadership excellence! Maxwell goes …
Leadership expert and author John Maxwell has written yet another book worthy of study, reflection, and action. The book is titled Sometimes You Win – Sometimes You Learn: Life’s Greatest Lessons Are Gained From Our Losses. Like many great books, there are not necessarily a lot of new revelations, but rather critical reminders of what is truly …
In the first chapter of his recently published book titled Sometimes You Win – Sometimes You Learn, John Maxwell correctly explains that many, if not most people believe and live the philosophy of “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. The message is: hope to win, expect to lose, and live with the results either way.” …
During a phone conversation with one of my colleagues this week, I jokingly said, “I’m unteachable—especially when it’s something I don’t like doing!” We both had a good laugh about my playful stubbornness, but there was some truth in that statement:
It’s hard to be teachable when you don’t really want to learn what’s being taught.
Not long after our conversation ended..
...As a healthcare leader, you understand the critical importance of improvement. In all aspects of the healthcare industry, you are always seeking improvement, whether it be more efficient methods, greater financial margins, better quality of care, or simply the daily forward progress of an individual patient’s health concern. Improvement makes the healthcare world go round. …
>>Today I’m giving away three copies of my newly released book, Presidential Leadership: Learning from United States Presidential Libraries & Museums! For details, please see the end of this article.
My new book, Presidential Leadership, is a testament to my long-held belief in the power and importance of leadership excellence. I also believe that one essential element of leadership excellence is being an inspirational leader.
There is no motivating factor as powerful as…
...This week I want to share an excerpt from my book, Presidential Leadership: Learning from United States Presidential Libraries & Museums. The story below can be found in chapter 11, where I highlight selected leadership strengths of former United States President George H. W. Bush through true historical narrative: “One of the first major …
Franklin D. Roosevelt had plenty of excuses that he could have used to justify taking the easy route and avoiding risk. But he needed no excuses, because he did not take the easy route, and he embraced risk as the welcome companion to opportunity. When struck with a debilitating disease at the age …
Today’s article is the eighth in a series learning from the book by Paul Smith, Lead With A Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. In chapter 14, the author tells an impactful story about a talented and highly successful CFO named Sara who, along with her team, completed a company-wide, …
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most highly respected and admired leaders in history. His example of strong but gentle leadership has been studied and applauded for generations.
When I reached the chapter about Lincoln in my writing of the book Presidential Leadership: Learning from United States Presidential Libraries & Museums (available October 1st!), I didn’t know where to start. There was so much to say. Which leadership strengths should I focus on? What angle should I take? How do I pick?!
As I considered the possibilities and dug into my research, I happened across…
...Today’s article is the seventh in a series learning from the book by Paul Smith, Lead With A Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. Have you ever felt distant, or aggressively competitive, or even had a downright dislike for someone, only to find out later that you have things in …
Regardless of political party and certainly many personal, professional, and organizational weaknesses, each and every former President of the United States achieved the most powerful, prestigious and influential leadership position in the world!
They overcame many weaknesses, mistakes, and perceived limitations. They focused on…
...Today’s article is the sixth in a series learning from the book by Paul Smith, Lead With A Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. In chapter 9, Smith does an excellent job of making the case that company values, explained and frequently reinforced by memorable stories, are far more effective …
Today’s article is the fifth in a series learning from the book by Paul Smith, Lead With A Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. The book is available wherever bestselling books are sold. In chapter six, titled “Define Customer Service Success and Failure,” Paul Smith does an excellent job of …
Today’s article is the fourth in a series learning from the book by Paul Smith, Lead With A Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. The book is available wherever bestselling books are sold. What if, following a meeting and discussion with your team, each member sought you out or sent …
Today’s article is the third in a series learning from the book by Paul Smith, Lead With A Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire. In chapter two, titled “Set a Vision for the Future,” Smith recounts a modified version of the well-known folktale of a woman asking three different construction-site …