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.
Loyalty matters, but it isn’t the most important thing when you are running a business. In countless discussions, from team meetings to one-on-one chats, a recurring topic often emerges: the mismatch between an employee’s tenure and their capability to effectively fulfill their role. The crux of the matter? Sometimes, we hold onto people too long,
In an era where leadership is not just about directing from the top but also about inspiring and influencing from within, courage emerges as a foundational virtue. It empowers leaders to face fears, uncertainties, and risks with confidence, bravery, and determination. Leadership, intrinsically linked to courage, involves the boldness to align with one’s beliefs, even
In today’s fast-paced business environment, where trust and credibility are pillars of success, financial transparency is becoming a critical lever for success, not just an obligation to the IRS or your bank. As a business owner or CEO, you understand the importance of making informed decisions, nurturing stakeholder relationships, and fostering a culture of accountability
Michael J. Marquardt and Bob Tiede
Book ReviewView the BookIn this newly revised third edition of Leading with Questions, renowned global leadership consultants Michael Marquardt and Bob Tiede describe how to ask powerful questions that generate short-term and long-term results and success. They show you how effective leaders use questions to encourage participation and teamwork, foster creative thinking, empower others, create relationships with customers, and […]
Read morePlutarch (translated by Jeffrey Beneker)
Bryn Mawr Classical Review - Book ReviewView the BookThe ancient biographer and essayist Plutarch thought deeply about the leadership qualities of the eminent Greeks and Romans he profiled in his famous―and massive―Lives, including politicians and generals such as Pericles, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony. Luckily for us, Plutarch distilled what he learned about wise leadership in a handful of essays, […]
Read moreJames Kouzes & Barry Posner
Book ReviewView the BookA fresh look at what it means to lead from two of the biggest names in leadership In these turbulent times, when the very foundations of organizations and societies are shaken, leaders need to move beyond pessimistic predictions, trendy fads, and simplistic solutions. They need to turn to what’s real and what’s proven. In their […]
Read moreResearch suggests that the most effective leaders adapt their style to different circumstances — be it a change in setting, a shift in organizational dynamics, or a turn in the business cycle. But what if you feel like you’re not equipped to take on a new and different leadership style — let alone more than […]
Read moreWhen an executive makes a big bet, he or she typically relies on the judgment of a team that has put together a proposal for a strategic course of action. After all, the team will have delved into the pros and cons much more deeply than the executive has time to do. The problem is, […]
Read moreMotivating employees begins with recognizing that to do their best work, people must be in an environment that meets their basic emotional drives to acquire, bond, comprehend, and defend. So say Nohria and Groysberg, of Harvard Business School, and Lee, of the Center for Research on Corporate Performance. Using the results of surveys they conducted […]
Read moreSince its founding in 1963, BCG has become known for its analytical approach to problem-solving, as well as the emphasis it places on the exploration and development of new business ideas and pursuits. Notably, BCG’s founder, Bruce D. Henderson pioneered the field of corporate strategy and developed concepts like the Experience Curve and the Growth-Share […]
View moreProfessional development resource/community for leaders looking to scale their business.
View moreThe purpose of this page is simply to share some insights into how and why our website was started. Back in September of 2002, the vision for Leadership-Tools.com was born out of a strong desire to share the many benefits of high quality leadership tools and resources; tools that have helped me in so many […]
View moreAlex Havard explains the concept of “virtuous leadership.” In Part 2, he begins to describe the four basic virtues: prudence, courage, self-control, and justice.
Here is a brief excerpt from a Jordan Peterson lecture on the importance of personal character in becoming a good (noble) leader and the weakness in a society formed when there are not enough examples of admirable leadership qualities. He uses a few biblical examples.
Great summary of the book: The Four Disciplines of Execution. 4DX® is not theory. It is a proven set of practices that represents a new way of thinking essential to thriving in today’s competitive climate, making this 2nd Edition a book that no business leader can afford to miss. The 2nd Edition provides more than 30 percent […]
The Truth About Leadership – Book Excerpts The Truth About Leadership By James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner Book Excerpts Introduction – The Ten Truths The first truth is that you make a difference. It is the most fundamental truth of all. Before you can lead, you have to believe that you […]
Read morePlease click on link to download a copy of this summary SECTION 1 – HIGH-PERFORMANCE MINDSET Lesson 1: Take Responsibility He (Albert Badura) speculated that when people don’t believe they have what it takes to complete a task successfully, they would see little point in making an initial effort. When these people did attempt […]
Read moreINTRODUCTION: Every obstacle is unique to each of us. But the responses they elicit are the same: Fear. Frustration. Confusion. Helplessness. Depression. Anger. There have been countless lessons (and books) about achieving success, but no one ever taught us how to overcome failure, how to think about obstacles, how to treat triumph over them, and […]
Read moreEd’s books on Leadership, Life and Business will elevate your knowledge and give you the confidence to apply it to your personal and professional life.