In a world buzzing with data and deadlines, there’s one timeless tool that holds the key to making your workplace better: storytelling. Read on to explore why telling stories needs to be part of today’s workplace and learn the impact of narratives in professional settings.  I once worked for a small family-owned restaurant. The pay was minimal, the conditions weren’t all that glamorous, and the hours were less than ideal. But I loved the place because it had a story. The founder, an Italian immigrant, had a dream to bring recipes from the old country into the brave new world of America. His son eventually took over the joint, now he was grooming his son to run it. Most of the employees attached to the establishment were family, either as bookkeepers, cooks, or servers. And with the family, there seemed to be drama every day. Marriage issues were worked out

Leadership is demanding and often stressful, leading to burnout and mistakes. Managing this stress is crucial for effective leadership. In this article, we’ll explore a principle of a five-step process Jim has developed that can teach you how to deal with leadership stress. Read on to discover how you can turn stress from a hindrance into a catalyst for growth and productivity. How to Deal with Leadership Stress “Gosh, right now my jokes are funny and I’m the best looking guy in the world, but I know as soon as I lose, all that will change.” This quote came from a man who was recently granted the position of head football coach for a major NCAA football team. If you’ve been in leadership for any length of time, you either grinned or shook your head in agreement. You know leadership is demanding. Leadership is demanding and oftentimes stressful. As a

In the realm of leadership, a profound shift towards conscious and empathic leadership is underway. Imagine a world where leaders understand not only the intricacies of their own minds but also the depths of human nature. Join us on a journey to explore how self-examination, empathy, and purpose intersect to shape exceptional leaders.   Conscious and Empathic Leadership “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” ― C.G. Jung SELF EXAMINATION Outstanding leaders have both a reservoir of empathy and the ability to motivate themselves and others. How do they do it? They understand human nature. To start, they become a student of their own attitudes, desires, and behaviors. An accurate self-examination awakens the unconscious mind not only to understand one’s self but also the attributes and motivations of others. Leaders who understand what lies beneath the surface of human behavior

In a world where leadership is both revered and scrutinized, understanding the nuances of what truly constitutes impactful leadership is paramount. Join us as we delve into the depths of leadership philosophy, practical application, and transformative vision. Discover the three perspectives within healthy leadership and the key ingredients that fuel the fire of successful leadership. Learn how to navigate the challenges of today’s dynamic landscape with clarity and purpose. Step into the realm of healthy leadership and unlock the potential to inspire, motivate, and lead with integrity. Read on!   Three Perspectives Within Healthy Leadership Our work at Lead Today has taught us a peculiar fact: many of us [leaders] have found ourselves in positions of influence almost by accident. Through the years we have worked hard and have been promoted. This reward is expected; however, the skills that got us here are only a portion of what we need

In the quest for excellence, effective leadership practices stand as indispensable guides, illuminating the path for conscientious leaders. In this article, we delve into eight key practices that extensive research has unveiled, showcasing their transformative power in shaping organizational success and personal growth. From fostering clear communication to cultivating a culture of accountability, each practice offers a roadmap for leaders to navigate the complexities of their roles with clarity and purpose. Join us as we embark on a journey to unlock the secrets of effective leadership and pave the way for lasting impact. Every conscientious leader strives to be more effective. I want to get better and so do you. That’s why we work on our approach to leading ourselves and others, not just doing whatever we do. If we mostly work with our heads down (doing the work), we often miss the big picture – the effective way of

Writing an effective action plan is akin to drawing a roadmap towards success in leadership. Transitioning seamlessly from vision to execution, it embodies the essence of strategic thinking. But amidst the allure of spontaneity, do we risk drifting aimlessly without a plan? Join us as we unravel the paradox of writing an effective action plan and its profound impact on leadership prowess. Importance of Writing Action Plans According to Peter Drucker, the second of eight effective practices of effective leaders is to invest time in writing action plans. Writing an action plan is the task that follows answering the most difficult question: “What needs to be done?” which we discussed in the last article. I recently heard a friend explain in a somewhat sarcastic tone, “The idea of a map is to have it in your possession before you begin your journey.” Supposedly, Napoleon said that he never won a

Unlock the secrets of effective leadership with our latest article on how to prioritize tasks as a leader. Dive into expert insights and practical strategies to streamline your decision-making process and maximize your impact. Discover the keys to leading with clarity and purpose. Read on to revolutionize your approach to leadership. I could not believe what my eyes were reading and my ears were hearing. While sitting in a physical and mental posture of learning, I was waiting for my Professor of Record in a doctorate program to share the first point of his opening lecture entitled “Becoming the Leaders We Need to Be.” The first point: Leaders do what needs to be done. My first reaction: I’m disappointed; it’s too obvious; it’s too simple. As I continued to listen, I realized that it is not obvious and it certainly is not simple. Even if the point is stated in

Uncover the essence of leadership with insights into three reasons for losing and planning for success in this blog post. From postgame interviews to the nuances of planning, delve into the secrets that separate victory from defeat. Read on to unravel the mysteries of effective leadership and the power of a well-crafted game plan! Scene Analysis: Understanding the Three Scenarios It’s a Saturday afternoon postgame interview with the losing head coach of a college football team. The scene is almost always one of these three: Scene one. “It was a hard-fought and competitive game between two good football teams. Sometimes the ball bounces in your favor but like today, sometimes it doesn’t. We’ll keep our heads high and prepare for next week.” Scene two. “Don’t look at the players. Don’t even look at my coaching staff. Look at me. I own this loss. I did not prepare this team for

Effective leadership communication is paramount in guiding teams toward success. Transitioning from mere performance to intentional leadership requires a journey marked by self-awareness and understanding of the soul of the organization. In this post, we delve into the nuances of effective leadership communication, exploring how it shapes organizational dynamics and fosters a culture of creativity and repetition for sustained growth.   You want to lead effectively. You cannot do so without becoming an outstanding communicator. Effective communication starts with self-awareness, grows by shaping the soul of your organization, and is embraced through creativity and repetition. Self-awareness. Some might say you just don’t communicate. If that’s the case, it may be because you are more introverted than extroverted. Introverted and intuitive thinkers sometimes are not aware of how little they actually communicate. It’s almost like you expect others to read your inner thoughts. You may be more extroverted than introverted. Your

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, effective communication stands as a cornerstone of success. Yet, amidst the proliferation of communication channels, there exists a growing challenge: aligning responsiveness expectations. As technology continues to evolve, so too do the norms surrounding timely interaction. In this article, we delve into the importance of aligning responsiveness expectations in today’s workplace. From understanding the significance of timely communication to implementing strategies for fostering professionalism, we explore how organizations can navigate this vital aspect of modern business culture. Join us as we uncover the keys to cultivating professional communication in an ever-changing professional landscape. Do you remember the days before answering machines, pagers, voice mail, email, and texting? No? Well, I guess that demonstrates one of the massive cultural divides between baby boomers still in the workforce and millennials who probably can’t imagine life without the tools of today’s technology. Today, there remains a

In the dynamic landscape of modern workplaces, effective leadership isn’t just about issuing commands; it’s about aligning your team towards a common purpose. The concept of aligning your team goes beyond mere coordination; it’s about fostering a shared vision, values, and goals among team members. In this blog post, we delve into actionable strategies for aligning your team, exploring the pivotal roles of servant leadership, open communication, and consensus-building. Discover how these principles can transform your team dynamics and propel your organization toward success. I was asked to speak recently to another leadership team asking me to answer the following question, “You speak about alignment often… that’s great but how do we get ourselves aligned?” Below is an outline of my response: 1. Serve. There’s much talk nowadays about servant leadership but what is it? It is primarily a mindset each player embraces to do what needs to be done

I just finished reading a well-written article about how mighty organizations fall. It surprised me how organizational failures parallel our personal lives. It got me thinking and it inspired me to reflect upon the leadership shortcomings of my past. While my family and friends might run to my aid and list all of my accomplishments, let’s save those for the memorial service! It is much healthier for a leader to think about learning and growing for the sake of others. Some of these mistakes I committed in my twenties, others in my thirties, and unfortunately, a couple in my forties. Let’s pray my fifties (NOW in my sixties) are quiet in the sense of leadership mistakes! HERE’S MY TOP TEN FAILURES IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER: 1. Not Understanding the Other Side of My Strengths. I have come to learn that fixing weaknesses (I’m not talking about character) is a waste