“Everybody needs a coach. It doesn’t matter whether you are CEO, a basketball player, a tennis player, a gymnast or a bridge player, we all need feedback” so says Bill Gates & Eric Schmidt in this 1.25min TED Talk. Perhaps a bold statement. And yet, doesn’t every professional athlete and every famous performer have one? … Read More
Leadership Blog
Is it Time for a Different Approach to Strategic Planning?
This is the time of the year that most companies begin their strategic planning process. While it’s fun to host and participate in an off-site, the end result sadly is often put on a shelf until next year. Mostly the plan is a continuation of the last one, and mostly the plan calls for growth, usually … Read More
The Meaning of Labor Day
When the first nationally recognized Labor Day was celebrated in 1894, the day consisted of a street parade sending up a message of “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” (in the words of the AFL). We have come a long way since then. Today most employers focus on offering … Read More
Consensus Gives You Beige
When a leader asks for input and then makes a decision, the result is vivid color, i.e. a better decision. It is a better decision for several reasons. First and foremost, your team feels valued when they are asked to participate in the decision process. Second, there is value in the wisdom of crowds; many … Read More
Leadership Quote: Yesterday’s home runs…
Are You a Prey Dog?
I had an interesting conversation the other day with one of my clients. He was comparing drive in humans to the prey drive his dogs have. Not being a dog owner, I hadn’t heard this term before. He explained that prey drive is exactly what the words describe, a drive to go after prey. And, … Read More
App Hacks: Spark
I have used many email clients over the years, and Spark far and away is my favorite. Their marketing slogan is “love your email again”. While I can’t exactly say I love my email since switching to Spark a year or so ago, I no longer find reading it frustrating and overwhelming. Here are five … Read More
Leadership Quote: The Problems of Victory…
Q2 2019 Vistage-Chicago Confidence Index – Chicago More Pessimistic
Chicago Area Survey Highlights are below. Click here for more detail by industry and for a comparison to 2018. Economy 17%of CEOs thought the national economy had improved in the past year (vs. 31% nationally) 10% of CEOs expect the economy to improve in the year ahead (vs. 13% nationally) Prospects 53% of CEOs expect … Read More
Friction
Friction slows things down and makes motion difficult — it’s basic physics. We also know less friction eases movement and increases speed. When things are faster and easier to use, commerce happens. And, when friction is present, movement slows or worse yet, simply stops. We see this all the time with technology adoption. Have you … Read More