Category Archives: leadership

Building a Raging Fire

“Sometimes we make the process more complicated than we need to. We will never make a journey of a thousand miles by fretting about how long it will take or how hard it will be. We make the journey by taking each day step-by-step and then repeating it again and again until we reach our destination.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin

“But you can build a future out of anything. A scrap, a flicker. The desire to go forward, slowly, one foot at a time. You can build an airy city out of ruins.”  – Lauren Oliver, Pandemonium

As I write this leadership message I am sitting in my backyard beside the crackling fire pit, watching the flames and smoke snake into the sky. There’s a wonderful feeling of comfort and warmth stoked by the sweet smell of pine, oak and cedar. It’s easy to see why one of the things I love most about winter is the opportunity to build a fire.  Continue reading →

Unlocking Innovation through Change and Transparency

As recently published in Staffing Stream at: http://www.thestaffingstream.com/2014/12/29/unlocking-innovation-through-change-and-transparency/

When it comes to the labor market, it seems the tide is starting to turn. After years of conservative hiring plans, many leaders are once again looking to increase their headcount to meet rising demand. This is a critical moment for organizations, as we are more aware than ever that the success of an organization relies on the talent within it.

As Dr. Klaus Schwab, founder of The World Economic Forum, explains:

“Capital is being superseded by creativity and the ability to innovate – and therefore by human talents – as the most important factors of production. Just as capital replaced manual trades during the process of industrialization, capital is now giving way to human talent. Talentism is the new capitalism.”

One of the key reasons organizations are competing to hire top talent is to drive innovation. And not just the more traditional view of innovation as a driver for new product development. But innovation as a differentiator – both strategic and practical. Yes, strategic innovation is necessary to help companies evolve their offerings to maintain a market edge. Continue reading →

Politics Can Kill a Business

pol•i•tics
noun  /ˈpɑl•əˌtɪks/

a. the activities of the government, politicians, or political parties, or the study of these activities:
b. the activities of people who are trying to obtain an advantage within a group or organization: – Source:  Cambridge Dictionaries Online

I don’t know whether it’s the negative energy coming out of Washington these days or the inherent nature of so much change in this world, but it seems I’ve overheard numerous discussions lately about “Politics”.  Yes, I’ve had my share discussion around Politics of the governmental type, where in the ‘noble pursuit of public service’ upstanding men and women work together for the common good. To be fair, in today’s Politics there doesn’t appear to be anything “noble” or “for the common good” when it comes to our government these days.  But I digress…

Politics clearly exist outside of the government and in every form of our lives – in work, at schools, in social clubs, in community organizations.  And in the truest, purest sense Politics can be a good thing – where individuals with similar interests align together for appropriate representation within the larger group.  If done correctly, an effective and respectful political structure affords the opportunity for differing interests to find the appropriate compromise(s) that are necessary for the group to succeed. Continue reading →

Letting Go

“I have gratitude for everything that has brought me to this moment.” – Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I stand today at a crossroads in my evolution as a leader.  One filled with overwhelming joy and excitement of the next role, but also with sadness at the one I leave behind.  I’ve been asked to take the reins of Manpower North America, the signature brand of our company.  A business that represents the core of what our company was built around – making a difference by bringing meaningful work to so many.  The opportunity is tremendous, and the team I will be working for couldn’t be more talented. 

As leaders, we all strive for growth in our professional career.  To be given new responsibilities.  To be entrusted with a new role.  To leverage our past learnings as we address new challenges and opportunities.  To want more – not -for the sake of greed, but to know what you are capable of; to have the chance to prove your worth, your value, and your contribution.  Continue reading →

Avoiding the Dust Storms

Zero Visibility Possible

 “Zero Visibility Possible” –  Road sign in New Mexico

Have you ever seen this road sign, or one like it? It’s a road sign from a state highway in New Mexico, one of several that alert drivers in that state to the dangers that occur when a severe dust storm occurs. Scary when you think about it – driving conditions so poor that there is literally zero visibility.

This is a driver’s worst nightmare – and gives cause to the term ‘driving blind’. No idea what lies ahead, and perhaps even more fear of what may come up from behind. Just the thought sends goose bumps up my back. 

For grins, I ‘Googled’ what to do when driving in a dust storm. As you would guess, advice all points to one logical approach: pull over, stop the car, and wait it out. The storm will eventually pass. Or at least you hope so, right?

Continue reading →

Change the Reality of Perception

“That’s not how I said it!” – Amanda Wright, my daughter

If you haven’t noticed by now, there is a growing trend in using my daughter’s quotes for my message inspiration.  In many cases, her age and maturity provides us clarity to see through the fog of our own experiences.  In other cases, that same age and immaturity highlight the importance of learning from past experiences to become a better person, a better leader.

This week’s message is one based on the latter.  An opportunity to learn from wisdom not always gained at her age and inexperience.  But sadly so, a lesson so often missed by us – who can’t blame ignorance on a lack of age or experiences.  Read on and see if you agree. Continue reading →

Truly Understanding Leadership

“Leadership is not magnetic personality; that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not ‘making friends and influencing people’, that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to higher sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.” – Peter F. Drucker

As a fresh graduate entering the business world, I was immediately fascinated by the concept of leadership. An ambitious young man, I wanted to be successful. I wanted to be the best I could be. It wasn’t that I wanted to be “the boss”, but I had this unquenched desire to lead. And so throughout my career I’ve taken note of different leadership styles and approaches in the hope I could develop one of my own, stealing “with pride” the best from others. Continue reading →

Development is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

performance review“Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.” – Chinese Proverb

“The man who moved a mountain was the one who began carrying away small stones.” – Chinese Proverb

It’s that time of the year again, the time in which managers sit down with their team members and provide feedback on their respective performance over the prior year.  And while these reviews should merely be a confirmation of performance feedback that management provides throughout the year, they are an opportunity for a deeper discussion on the impact of that performance and the trajectory it foretells for us as individual contributors.

Understanding one’s performance in the recent past is always helpful.  But what I’ve found to be more important in these reviews are the discussions around professional development – the opportunity it provides for each individual to establish a formal development plan and improve their performance as a member of the team while positioning them for future growth as an individual.  Continue reading →