The Super Bowl was two weeks ago, but the discussion of the infamous play call hasn't stopped. "How can you NOT give the ball to Marshawn Lynch for a 1 yard run?!" "Who is so stupid as to try and throw the ball?!" "Why have you let our city down?!" Read a newspaper, listen to a talk show or check out SportCenter - it is everywhere! Pete Carroll himself called it "the worst … [Read more...]
Are You a Leader with No Clothes? (P.S. The Emperor didn’t think so either!)
You know the fairy tale - the big, powerful Emperor is convinced he is wearing a magnificent outfit. Only those who are inept and/or stupid are unable to see the beautiful fabric. In reality, he was butt naked! However, as he walked down the street, no one wanted to be perceived as stupid or inept so all the villagers praised his [non-existent] outfit. He beamed with pride - … [Read more...]
Are you the “Problem Solver” or the “Problem?”
I see it all the time - yesterday's "go-to problem-solver" gets complacent and over the years turns into "the problem!" There is no such thing as organizational tenure! If you believe your current knowledge base is adequate to make it to retirement - you are woefully disillusioned. I'll go even farther - if you are one of those people who thinks "on the job training" is … [Read more...]
Are You a White Water Leader? (You better hope so!)
Have you been white water rafting? It's great isn't it? You are in the raft, drifting down the river, laughing and enjoying the beauty. Then, if you are aware, you see the water take on a bit more energy. You tune into a distant rumble. You can hear shouts from rafters currently engulfed in the next set. Suddenly you see the rapids. A long stretch of foam, spray and raw … [Read more...]
Want to be a Leader? Be Deliberate – Do the Work – Learn the Skills
Being a solid, individual contributor is an admirable role. My question for you is - do you want more? If you seek a leadership role, be deliberate. Don't sit in your cubicle and wait to be tapped on the shoulder with an opportunity. In my experience, there are fairly predictable stages between "individual contributor" and "Leader of Contributors." Your challenge is to … [Read more...]