Posted: December 7, 2011 | Categories: Leadership

Daryl F. Zanuck was a famed movie producer of the ’50s and ’60s.  He was known for demanding input and perspective from his team.  His most renowned saying was, “Don’t say yes until I’m finished talking!”

For years, I facilitated a 12-week leadership course involving selected key people from various companies.  Ideally, the best strategy was to start with the top leadership of the company and work down through the ranks.  There were occasional exceptions to this strategy.  Here is one I will never forget:
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Posted: December 3, 2011 | Categories: Leadership, Team Building

Teamwork:  Trust, respect…and like?

Championship teams operate at the highest level of interdependency.  Here is a comment you will rarely hear from a fully functioning team:  “He/she doesn’t like me”.  Along the same line, you almost never hear someone ask, “Do you think he or she likes me?”
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Posted: November 18, 2011 | Categories: Leadership

Is a disagreement or conflict positive or negative?  Depending on how it is managed, it could be either one.  One of the most remarkable qualities of a good leader is the ability to turn a conflict of wills into a combination of strengths.  (See disagreeing without being disagreeable)
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Posted: November 2, 2011 | Categories: Leadership

Legendary Football Coach Vince Lombardi believed in building on strengths.  When he became head coach of the Washington Redskins, one of the first conversations he had was with Sonny Jurgensen, the Redskin’s quarterback.  Sonny was reaching the end of his career, and his performance was slipping.  Coach Lombardi said to Sonny, “I’m going to build this team the same way I built Green Bay…around the quarterback.  That’s you.  Let’s get started”

That year Sonny had one of his best seasons.  When asked by a reporter why he had such a turnaround, he said, “Coach Lombardi made be believe in myself”

If we are genuine, specific, timely, and purposeful, we can make others on our team aware of their strengths in a way they can build on them – just like Sonny Jurgensen.Read More…

Posted: October 20, 2011 | Categories: Leadership

Think about someone in your life who made a positive difference for you.  It could be a parent, coach, teacher, boss, co-worker, friend, or someone else special.  My bet is that this person was in there with you as you navigated through your challenges and triumphs.
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