Have you ever considered the question, what makes a leader a leader? By definition, a leader is “a person who leads a group.” So that would say that when you have a group of people reporting to you, then you are a leader in the most formal sense of the word. How would you describe yourself? Are you a leader? I worked in an organization that felt a bit differently than that regarding the term leader. Everyone was considered a…
Read more
Imagine that this is what is on your calendar this week…3 presentations, 15 meetings with various groups, 6 meetings with your direct team and your kids have two sporting events that you need to attend after work. Some of you may be thinking how on earth can that be real? I can tell you that it is absolutely real and the way that many people will be spending their week. It seems crazy, but this is actually probably conservative…
Read more
I volunteered at our local food bank this past weekend. A friend of mine and I coordinate the event for kids at our school and church to get service hours. It always puts things into perspective when I hear about how many people don’t know where their next meal is coming from in our county. What I like about the program is that it teaches kids and adults how the food bank works, where they get their food, how volunteers…
Read more
Today is November 11th, which is a day known by different names ( Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, Poppy Day, Armistice Day, etc.) depending on where you are from as a day to remember all those in the armed forces who fought for our freedom. Thank you all for your service. Picture yourself getting together with a bunch of friends or family. At some point, you will probably hear a story or two about a recent event that happened to…
Read more
Generally when people talk about “firsts” they refer to babies and toddlers. She got her first tooth today, she rolled over or she took her first steps. The truth is that you go through a million firsts in your lifetime though. First day of school, first time you go on a date, first time you drive, first job, etc. Each time you go through the next big “first” it brings a little anxiety, a bit of fear, but it also…
Read more
Back in 1992, I was getting my MBA in Georgia and had class at night after work. I went to vote in the 1992 election before I had to go to school. There was quite a line to vote that night, but I was naively optimistic and thought it would move quickly. 3 1/2 hours later, I was finally able to cast my vote. I don’t remember if they offered early voting back then that I could have done instead….
Read more
It is the final game of the World Series tonight. The Chicago Cubs led for most of game 7 and then the Cleveland Indians tie it up 6-6 in the 8th inning, which forced them to go into extra innings. This could have caused the Cubs to wonder if they had it in them to come back from this adversity. Their usual closing pitcher is worn out due to all the pitches he has thrown over the last three days. Then…
Read more
I am a big sports fan and wanted to share that two sports teams in Chicago had two big days this week. My Chicago Bears won on Monday Night Football. They have not had the best record this year, but I am happy that they did well and it helped me win in fantasy football this week. Tonight’s big event was seeing the Chicago Cubs Baseball team tie up the World Series! I am so excited for them and hopefully…
Read more
I was listening to a podcast today that was talking about ways to get visibility as a leader. It was very interesting to hear the guest speaker on the podcast truly practicing what he was preaching. He was sharing helpful strategies for leaders to get more visibility and build connections. At the same time, he was working into the conversation what he has done himself and how he connected with influential people to make it happen. Visibility and self-promotion go…
Read more
I met a leader who was getting feedback from his manager at work that he was not being seen as authentic. I will call this leader Tom. I asked Tom some questions to better understand his perspective on the feedback. What did he think was holding him back from being an authentic leader? Is he trying to be what someone else wants him to be? Is he comparing himself to others and trying to be like them? Is he different…
Read more