Nothing of consequence is ever accomplished without some form of leadership. Leaders are the change agents of society. They architect the future by challenging the status quo and striving to make things better. They lean into big problems and seize large opportunities. They create opportunities for others to find meaning through doing good work. I have been fortunate to work closely with hundreds of leaders through the years and this category is inspired by this experience.
Leadership Is a Daily Choice — And Most Leaders Drift Without Realizing It Most leadership breakdowns don’t happen because someone isn’t smart enough, committed enough, or hardworking enough. They happen quietly. They happen…
One-to-One Meetings: A Missed Leadership Opportunity Most leaders will tell you they believe in one-to-one meetings. Far fewer run them well. In too many organizations, one-to-ones slowly drift into status updates, get cancelled…
Introduction – Don’t Get Stuck in the Short-Term I’m increasingly concerned that more business leaders have slipped into short-term thinking. After years of volatility and nonstop disruption, many seem almost shell-shocked. Instead of…
Introduction: The Last Tudor Standing Few leaders in history have carried the weight of expectation—and the sting of doubt—quite like Queen Elizabeth I. Born into chaos, dismissed as illegitimate, imprisoned by her own…
Here is the next installment of my fictional interviews with important historical figures. This time it is Confucius. “When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see…
Build The Organizational Structure That Fits Your Strengths “There is no one perfect org chart—only the one that helps you win.” This blog was triggered by a Vistage group meeting today. We were…
Pat Murray’s legacy, and why he still matters Pat Murray left behind a profound legacy. He served as a President of TEC (Now Vistage) before I became a Chair and, for decades, was…
High performance is achievable You don’t need jargon to run a tighter, faster shop. You need a simple way to set priorities, make decisions quickly, and keep work moving without drama. I think…
Introduction – Interview with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Here is another in my series of fictional interviews with historical figures. This time, it is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) It feels fitting…
Are You a Steak Knife or a Butter Knife Leader? A few weeks ago, I watched a business leader wrestle with a decision he already knew he needed to make. Every week, he’d…
Introduction—Be the Best Part of Their Day Communication matters. Every leader leaves a footprint after every interaction. The only real question is: did you lift people up—or wear them down? In Be the Best…
Language and the Pursuit of Leadership Excellence How Extraordinary Leaders Build Relationships, Shape Culture and Drive Breakthrough Results(2nd Edition) Leadership Isn’t Just About Action—It’s About the Words That Shape It We’ve all seen…
Facing the Hard Truth About Leadership: A Closer Look at Bad Leadership Most leadership books aim to inspire. They showcase heroic figures, bold visionaries, and transformational change agents. But what if we flipped…
Layered Leadership by Lawrence R. Armstrong Book Excerpts INTRODUCTION Leadership, whether of a startup; Small, mid-sized, or large firm; team; church; or any organization, must work as a whole across the continuum…
There is nothing more important than understanding how reality works and how to deal with it. The state of mind you bring to the process makes all the difference. I have found it…
Myth and legend treat leadership as if it were the private reserve of a very few charismatic men and women. Nothing is further from the truth. Leadership is much more broadly distributed in…
Managing a business, or any organization, I came to see, was more practical art than applied science. Yes, there were some useful disciplines, as in any art form, but what worked best could…
Very few of us have a life curve that is only upward-sloping. The difference is that “lucky” people just do not let their periods of adversity define them in unhelpful ways. They just…
You do not have to settle for a life of quiet desperation and hope that one day things will change. The future is now, and the sooner you start living the life you…
I believe that business and nonprofit leaders need to think differently about what constitutes success. Besides the quality of their people, what differentiates most high-performing companies is their vision, focus, and discipline. Culturally,…
The leadership journey requires you to cogitate constantly on the role you and others should be playing. As you achieve some level of success, your business may challenge your capabilities to lead it.…
Surrounding yourself with great people. Learning to delegate early on - not trying to do everything yourself. Making sure you've got the kind of people who are praising the team around them, not…
Please click on this link for the Leadership – Essential Writings By Our Greatest Thinkers Book Summary STUDYING THE SYSTEM “Our little systems have their day.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson In Organizational…
Please click on this link for the Leadership in War Book Summary Chapter 1: Napoleon Bonaparte “Napoleon recognized that the best way to inspire his people was through two means: imbuing people…
Chapter 1: The ONE Thing “What’s the ONE Thing you can do this week such that by doing it everything else would be easier or unnecessary?” “Where I’d had huge success, I had…
Five Stages of Decline: Hubris Born of Success Undisciplined Pursuit of More Denial of Risk and Peril Grasping for Salvation Capitulation to Irreverence or Death “The concept of hubris is defined as…
Introduction: “The shortage of (exemplary) leaders is a result of three primary factors: demographic shifts, insufficient training and experiences, and the prevailing mindsets that discourage people from learning to lead.” “Exemplary leaders strive…
Please click on this link for the Time Really is Money Book Summary Chapter 1 – Introduction: “…most business owners spend almost all of their time on less than $50 per hour…
Introduction “Productivity isn’t about working more or sweating harder.” “…productivity is about making certain choices in certain ways. The way we choose to see ourselves and frame daily decisions; the stories we tell…
Please click on this link for the How to Be a Leader Book Summary Introduction: Bystanders vs. Leaders “Bystander apathy… Simply put, the more people who can help, the fewer actually…
Introduction to the Revised Edition, 2003 “Bad economic times allow second-rate leaders to exercise power recklessly and with impunity. Good times will come again, and when they do, the leaders who survive and…
Please click on this link for The Trillion Dollar Coach Book Summary Chapter 1: The Caddie and the CEO The Trillion Dollar Coach “In our previous book, How Google Works, we argue…
Introduction Lincoln stood for all that was right, honest, and self-evident. The foundation of Abraham Lincoln‘s leadership style was an unshakable commitment to the rights of the individual. The genius of leadership lies…
Please click on this link for the Beneath the Armor Book Summary Introduction: “There are new frontiers for you to explore, markets to penetrate and a business that deserves your absolute utmost…
Skill 1: Build Safety Chapter 1 “Safety is not mere emotional weather but rather the foundation on which a strong culture is built.” P. 6 “When you ask people inside highly successful groups…
Introduction: Why communication matters on the shop floor (and in the boardroom) Most teams don’t stall out because of skill gaps; they stall because people feel unseen, uncertain, or uninspired. When communication frays,…
Central Thesis Leadership is layered, not linear. Enduring organizations align several layers—self‑leadership, team development, clear strategy, disciplined execution, market focus, innovation, culture, and succession—so each layer reinforces the others. The leader’s ongoing task…
Introduction In the pursuit of organizational excellence, aligning the hearts and minds of employees is crucial. Jon R. Katzenbach’s “Peak Performance: Aligning the Hearts and Minds of Your Employees” provides a comprehensive guide…
Achieving lasting success isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter and understanding what truly drives you. In Managing Oneself, legendary management thinker Peter Drucker provides a powerful guide to self-awareness, helping professionals…
By embracing the principles outlined in these sections, leaders can inspire their teams, drive sustainable success, and create a lasting positive impact within their organizations. The path to success involves not just strategic…
This collection of essays and excerpts provides a diverse perspective on what it means to lead, drawing on the wisdom of influential figures from various fields.
Introduction “Leadership and Self-Deception” by The Arbinger Institute explores how our inherent tendency towards self-deception affects our relationships and leadership effectiveness. The book delves into the concept of being “in the box” of…
Effective leadership and management practices that prioritize employee satisfaction and engagement are critical for retaining top talent. By addressing the needs and concerns of employees, providing opportunities for growth, and fostering a positive…
Through detailed analysis and numerous real-world examples, Cialdini identifies six key principles of influence that are universally applicable. This expanded summary delves deeply into these principles, providing comprehensive insights into human behavior and…
By learning from the experiences and wisdom of successful leaders like Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and others, readers can develop the skills and mindset needed to lead effectively. Rubenstein's emphasis on…
Effective leadership involves connecting with one's purpose, maintaining physical and mental well-being, fostering curiosity, embracing altruism, and managing crises with integrity and authenticity. By internalizing and practicing these principles, leaders can enhance their…
By focusing on understanding and developing employees, setting clear expectations, and recognizing achievements, managers can create a motivated and high-performing team. Implementing these principles ensures a productive and positive work environment, driving both…
By understanding and addressing the stages of hubris born of success, undisciplined pursuit of more, denial of risk and peril, grasping for salvation, and capitulation to irrelevance or death, companies can avoid decline…
The transition from good to great is not easy, but it is possible with the right mindset, leadership, and culture. By embracing Level 5 Leadership, focusing on the right people, confronting the brutal…
By studying the experiences and strategies of America's founding fathers, modern leaders can gain valuable lessons in how to navigate challenges, build strong teams, and create lasting impacts. This summary encourages readers to…
By understanding the nature of illusions, their causes, and strategies for addressing them, managers and leaders can foster a more truthful, effective, and dynamic work environment. Implementing these principles helps create a culture…
Succession planning is one of those business strategies that everyone acknowledges as important, yet many organizations fail to implement it effectively. Often, the urgency to fill a position only arises when it becomes…
Leadership is not a passive role; it demands action, decisiveness, and the ability to embrace challenges head-on. The best leaders thrive under pressure and find the most demanding aspects of their roles to…
"Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies" by Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras offers invaluable insights into what makes some companies enduringly successful while others fall by the wayside. The principles…
By embracing authenticity, self-care, talent development, financial savvy, and strategic thinking, leaders can inspire their teams to achieve extraordinary results. The blend of high-level insights and practical guidance makes this book a valuable…
"A Sense of Urgency" by John Kotter provides a compelling exploration into the necessity of cultivating and maintaining a sense of urgency in organizational change and leadership. Kotter emphasizes that true urgency goes…
Building a successful organization goes beyond having talented individuals or innovative products. It’s about creating a culture where people feel safe, connected, and purposeful. Daniel Coyle’s "The Culture Code" delves into the intricacies…
Effective leadership, according to Welch, involves building a strong, competitive organization that can contribute positively to the community, fostering an open and informal culture that encourages idea flow, and consistently aligning actions with…
By focusing on quality, community, and relationships, Small Giants demonstrate that it is possible to achieve greatness without compromising values or succumbing to the pressures of rapid expansion. These companies offer valuable lessons…
By adopting a coaching mindset, prioritizing trust and compassion, and fostering a team-first mentality, small business owners can build strong, resilient teams that drive their businesses to success. The legacy of the Trillion…
Effective leadership requires balancing vulnerability with strength, fostering productive conflict instead of superficial harmony, choosing clarity over certainty, prioritizing accountability over popularity, and focusing on results rather than personal status. By internalizing and…
"Principles" by Ray Dalio provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and practicing effective leadership. By embracing the principles outlined in the book, leaders can develop the skills and behaviors necessary to inspire, motivate,…
By understanding and focusing on high-value activities, individuals and organizations can achieve greater productivity, financial returns, and overall satisfaction. The book's insights and strategies offer a practical guide to transforming how we approach…
"Myself and Other More Important Matters" offers a rich tapestry of reflections and insights from Charles Handy’s life and career. His wisdom challenges us to rethink our approach to work, identity, and purpose,…
Abraham Lincoln’s leadership principles are timeless and universally applicable. By focusing on integrity, empathy, effective communication, and a relentless drive for results, modern leaders can draw inspiration from Lincoln’s example to enhance their…
Learning Leadership" by Kouzes and Posner provides a detailed and actionable model for leadership development. By emphasizing continuous learning, self-belief, resilience, and the importance of supportive relationships, the book offers valuable insights for…
Implementing the ten design rules for innovation and maintaining the wheel of innovation ensures that businesses remain agile and competitive. Leading a revolution requires courage, vision, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By…
“Leadership in War” by Andrew Roberts explores the traits and actions of historical leaders during wartime, illustrating what made them successful in their respective contexts. This book provides an in-depth analysis of the…
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