The current economic downturn has been going on for a while and many indicators suggest that it will continue for quite a bit longer.  This is depressing even to type out.  It has been a long haul for sure.  I have seen firsthand companies responding to this reality with important measures including layoffs and/or reductions [...]

We all have heard the timeless saying “Think before you speak.”   And it is a good one to heed especially in our jobs.    It however has become more difficult through the past years to take the time to think things through as the pace of work has increased almost beyond comprehension.  [...]

As was said earlier in this series, it can be hard for managers to get candid and honest feedback.  The bigger your title, the less of a chance people will volunteer feedback to you, especially tough feedback.
Great leaders set the stage early with the people they work with–their boss, peers and direct reports– so they [...]

An amazingly effective way to get feedback as a leader is by participating in a 360 Feedback process.  As most of you may know this is a formal process by which to gather feedback in a safe and anonymous environment from a variety of perspectives all around you, hence the term 360 from a 360 [...]

Great leaders are constantly looking for feedback.  And they are smart enough to realize that they have to take the initiative to get it.  If you wait for it to come to you, you will wait a while and if it finally shows up it probably will not be good news because it might be [...]

Feedback, as they say, is the breakfast of champions.  As leaders, it is critical to get feedback from a variety of sources both formally and informally.  Feedback keeps you grounded, provides opportunities for improvement and also endears people to you as a leader.
The funny thing about feedback is that the higher you get promoted in [...]

I am just getting back from London after facilitating a three-day strategy session with one of my client’s Board.  Thankfully, it was an exceptional meeting and the seemingly large amount of work and tough decisions that had to be tackled were completed well, even with an element of grace.
So today I wanted to reflect on [...]

Not that long ago I was coaching a Vice President that was really struggling with her relationship with the CEO of the company.  On the surface it was hard to see what was at the core of the problem.  The VP was smart, a hard worker, and eager to please the CEO by producing great [...]

Over the past ten years much of my work has focused on developing and executing strategy.  It has been intense as those years have spanned the best in economic times and now the most challenging.
During this time it has seemed like the much of the chatter at the strategy retreats, visioning sessions and business planning [...]

It is rough to be an executive these days balancing so many demands of the business and trying to maximize time management.  Often it can feel overwhelming but great executives both figure out a good system that works for them and their team while also bringing an exceptional level of energy and endurance to the [...]