Leaders are paid to make the important decisions. They need to ensure that the organization’s decision making process is fact-based and inclusive otherwise it just becomes a battle of opinions. and , when it comes to opinions, the person with the most power typically wins.
During a Vistage coaching session today, I revisited a tool I’ve used many times over the years. It reminded me of something simple: Sometimes the old tools are still the best tools—especially when…
Growth Regardless of Obstacles: How Small Business Leaders Build Sustainable Growth in Any Economy Growing a business is rarely a smooth, predictable process. In fact, most business growth happens during seasons that feel…
The Two Most Important Things a Leader Needs to Be Able to Say Let me share something I’ve come to believe pretty strongly over the years. There are two statements every leader needs…
Sometimes the Things You Don’t Want to Do Matter the Most Sometimes it’s important to do the things you don’t want to do—but know you need to do. We all feel fatigue. We…
What Does Success Really Mean to You? Most people think they know what success is—until you ask them to define it. It sounds like a simple question: What does success mean to you?…
What Happens to Execution Momentum? Every January, I see the same pattern play out. Leaders come back from the holidays energized. Plans feel crisp. Whiteboards are full. Offsites are optimistic. And for a…
The CEO’s Playbook for 2026 Most CEOs I work with aren’t short on ideas, intelligence, or ambition. What they’re short on is clarity, focus, and execution capacity in an environment that keeps getting…
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…
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…
“Do you think the world was created by an accountant? No! The universe was created by the combustion of a creative explosion.” — Robert Redford I decided to revisit this article after hearing about…
Book Introduction Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen is a powerful and eye-opening book that challenges one of our most basic assumptions—that our thoughts are always true. Nguyen explains that much…
Life has a way of testing our judgment, grit, and character—especially when you’re responsible for a business and a team. Andy Andrews’ The Traveler’s Gift reads like a parable, but it lands like…
In a world obsessed with speed, noise, and constant motion, Holiday makes a compelling case for slowing down, quieting the mind, and finding clarity in the present moment. Through stories of figures like…
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…
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.…
Several years ago, a colleague’s comments encouraged me to revisit the book, The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck. I am glad this happened because it resonated much differently with me twenty…
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…
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 Thinking Life Book Summary Introduction: “It is bizarre how many of us have been time-profligate engaging in frivolous searches or retooling our images on social…
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…
Seven Decisions That Shape a Life—and a Legacy In your own words: A journey through adversity, personal responsibility, and the kind of leadership that transforms lives. Andy Andrews takes us on a unique…
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…
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…
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…
By understanding and applying the principles of motivation, teamwork, focus, goal setting, managing others, decision-making, innovation, and data absorption, individuals and organizations can achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness. These insights remind us that…
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…
"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,…
Paulo Coelho's "Manuscript Found in Accra" offers timeless wisdom that can guide small business owners in their journey. By embracing the cyclical nature of life, discovering inner strength, living authentically, fostering meaningful relationships,…
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…
“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…
The book's rich collection of insights underscores that effective leadership is not a one-size-fits-all approach but rather a dynamic and evolving practice. By studying the diverse perspectives and experiences of great thinkers, leaders…
In a world that often prioritizes speed and efficiency, taking the time to think deeply can set us apart. It allows us to connect with our true selves, understand our values, and make…
Introduction Randy Pausch’s “The Last Lecture” is a compelling testament to the power of positivity, resilience, and living a life of purpose. Delivered as Pausch faced terminal pancreatic cancer, his lecture is a…
The central question of the book is, "What's the ONE Thing you can do this week such that by doing it everything else would be easier or unnecessary?" This highlights the importance of…
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