I recently posted a question on Facebook asking friends what they think is the most important quality or characteristic of great leaders. (Obviously, a highly scientific and validated poll!) The answers ran the gamut from honesty and integrity to fairness and fun. I even sparked a bit of a debate, with responders vehemently defending their vote. One quality that kept popping up intrigued me, and that quality was ‘courage’. Continue Reading

What kind of leadership brand are you creating? “But I’m not a product – heck I don’t even have a logo, why would I have a brand?” you might be asking.

I respectfully disagree, my friend. No, I’m not a marketing expert, but I do play one on TV. Er, seriously, though, I have read enough books on marketing to know that your brand is not a logo or a slogan. Your brand is what you’ve become known for. And yes, as a leader you have a brand, whether you realize or not. Continue Reading

I know that comes as a shock to you, but it’s true. It’s about them. It’s always been about them.

One of the greatest qualities that you can develop as a leader – or as a team member, or as a friend, or as a spouse, or …, well you get my point – is humility. Continue Reading

I remember reading “Highlights Magazine” as a kid, and especially enjoying the “Goofus and Gallant” feature. If you never got into the children’s magazine,“Highlights”, “Goofus and Gallant” was a regular feature focusing on twin boys. Goofus was the “bad” boy, who never shared his toys, didn’t mind his manners, ran around with scissors, and basically did everything wrong. Gallant was his angelic twin who was, of course, completely opposite. It was corny, but for some reason, I liked it. Continue Reading

“I don’t care who you are or what your title is, if I don’t trust you, I can’t work with you!”, Louis said vehemently.

We were in a leadership development workshop, discussing the integral role that trust plays within an organization, particularly between a manager and his or her team members. Louis serves as a Lead Operator on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. His rationale behind this statement isn’t hard to understand. In his role, he puts life and limb on the line every day, and if he can’t be absolutely sure that his co-workers are being safe and not cutting corners, he doesn’t want to work with them.

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