Categories
Archives
Search
The payoff of “keeping our cool”
“If you can keep your head about you when all are losing theirs…” – Rudyard Kipling
It is so easy to react quickly when we are wronged or offended.
Many years ago, I remember reading a story in “Bits and Pieces’ about Robert Johnson, founder of Ebony Magazine. It took place in the mid-50’s, and Mr. Johnson wanted to start his publication. He needed financing, and the first bank he went to turned him down. As politely as he could say it, the loan officer informed Mr. Johnson that they did not loan money to people of color. Instead of becoming defensive, Mr. Johnson came back with a question: Read More…
The earlier the concession, the less the value
When I was growing up, many of my summer vacations were spent in Wyoming visiting my relatives. We had several visits to Yellowstone National Park, and I vividly remember seeing bears walking around and occasionally leaning on a car. Not far away we could count on seeing a sign that said, “Do not feed the bears!” We all know why we are not supposed to feed the bears, don’t we? Because if we do, they won’t be satisfied with what they give them, and they will demand more.
This story is a good one to remember in selling: The rule is:
The earlier the concession, the less value it has in closing the saleRead More…
Were you meant to be an “intrapreneur”?
A few years back there was a commercial that involved a teacher instructing her young pupil how to draw. She said, “Stay between the lines because the lines are our friends”. If you are a “stay between the lines” person, then this piece is not for you. I a only writing for the free-spirited mavericks who challenge the status quo and love to lead change. If this is you, I have 10 super-gold nuggets for you. They were given to me years ago by a beloved mentor of mine – Bob Blazier. Read More…
Respected leaders own their mistakes
We all make mistakes. That is a given. We have also realize that we can learn from our mistakes. Even though learning is positive, making mistakes always hurts a least a little. We want to make sure a mistake doesn’t hurt us twice. We need to admit it and own it as quickly as possible. Read More…
When little things become big things…
“Part of good leadership means having a delicate sensitivity towards others and walking with them side-by-side” -Charles Hobbs
Effective leaders are very good at filling up emotional bank accounts. Here is a story from Stephen M.R. Covey’s book “The Speed of Trust”:
“One afternoon we were preparing for a special dinner in the home of the president of the University. The following day was commencement, and that night we were hosting a dinner for major donors to the university and the honorary doctorate recipient, a prominent government official from Latin America.
As we were setting up the tables, a delivery of beautiful floral centerpieces arrived, obviously ordered by the university development office. The wife of our university president came over to him in a dither and said, “We have a problem.” She held up a plain-looking margarine tub containing violets from the garden. As it turned out, Lola- an older woman from Europe who had been their housekeeper for many years – had already prepared the “centerpieces” for the event. Read More…