There is a bigger difference between management and leadership than most people realize. Not all leaders make good managers and vice versa. Whereas leadership is about providing clear direction through strategic thinking, decision making, and planning. It is about the macro. Management is about executing leadership initiatives through directing, organizing, coaching, and holding people tactically accountable. It is about the micro. A good manager knows his/her people well and is committed to their success individually and collectively.
The Growth Trap There is a dangerous assumption many business owners make when things start moving in the right direction. They see revenue increasing, backlog growing, new opportunities appearing, the…
Meetings Aren’t the Problem—Misunderstanding Leadership Is Why CEOs and Business Owners Need to Rethink Meetings and Their Role I’m always fascinated by leaders who complain about being in too many…
The biggest mistake leaders make is to think it is all about them. They believe that success or…
Without a plan, your business is like a tumbleweed blowing in the wind. You are uncertain about its…
There is a wise old saying, “If you want to get something done, give it to a busy…
I find that one of the most recognizable traits of an effective leader is that they bring positive…
Things rarely work out exactly as planned. We often attempt something with the best of intentions, only to…
Imagine if someone was rushed to the Emergency Room of a hospital with severe symptoms of something wrong…
Time is finite. No matter how hard we try, we can't create more of it, so we must…
When I come across a leader who consistently remains seated at their desk or in meetings, it raises…
We are defined by what we say "no" to or don't do rather than what we do. Leading…
Leaders must be clear about and enforce standards of acceptable behavior. A situational approach to moral and ethical…
Business is challenging enough without encumbering it with seasonality issues. I've seen many talented and hardworking small business…
Leaders should never surround themselves with people who only tell them what they want to hear. Even though…
Fulfilling your commitments is a critical part of achievement. The most successful people I know do what they…
When in doubt ask good questions and leverage the knowledge and experience of other people. There are few…
One of my least favorite sayings I hear from business owners is that "we throw people into the…
As a leader, personal growth and development don't always require strenuous labor or demanding tasks. Here are fifteen…
All organizations are held together by their center, not by their polar opposites. There is a time for…
You can be right, but you can alienate others if you are not careful. How you communicate can…
In sports and in life, it doesn't matter how much potential you have or how good you are…
We have all met people who seem to argue for the sake of arguing. Some people seem to…
When individuals are feeling overwhelmed or confused, they want simplicity. The more words you use, the harder this…
Contrary to popular belief, each of us actively shapes our own destiny. We reach the destination we work…
I frequently observe individuals getting into trouble because they refuse to acknowledge their lack of knowledge on specific…
I've been in many organizations in my professional career. In each instance, I've always come across a leader…
What made American industry great was that we had a solid, albeit often informal, contract between employer and…
Many leaders struggle to receive honest feedback about their performance. There are many reasons for this, but fear…
Unless you are a solo practitioner, you need to achieve success with and through other people. There is…
Nothing is more distasteful to employees than a boss who has no emotional control over their own emotions.…
Business and nonprofit leaders need to think differently about what constitutes success. Besides the quality of their people,…
The simple fact is that people respond better when they feel respected and appreciated. It doesn't matter whether…
Bring the decision you've been circling. The problem you haven't said out loud. The one you've been carrying alone.
Ed’s frameworks, the occasional hard-won lesson, and what he’s reading. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.