As Hurricane Helene passed through Sarasota, Kathy and I were watching the 70 mph winds and rain pound outside our hotel. Amid this vast storm, truck after truck started rolling into the parking lot. Before long we watched dozens of linemen enter the lobby in their muddy clothes. Some were from Tennessee, others said Georgia. Neighboring states sent help to ...
During the Presidential Debate, Vice President Harris accused former President Trump of selling special treatment to foreign leaders because they flattered the former President. Whether or not that statement is true is not my point. My point is that flattery can be a snare for many leaders. Success often breeds pride, and pride can lead to less discernment. Showing favor ...
A recent Harvard Business Review article highlighted experiments that discovered that 46% of people accepted job offers without any negotiation, out of fear that the offer may be withdrawn. Obviously, they are willing to work for that amount. But they may feel they are worth more pay. As an employer who desires to shepherd your people well, this information does ...
Recently, I provided counsel to Jeff who is trying to dissolve a partnership that has soured. Jeff’s partner has broken laws, violated Jeff’s trust, and created financial chaos in their shared business. One of Jeff’s options includes signing a new agreement with Jeff’s partner. However, there is legitimate concern about signing an agreement with someone who has already proven untrustworthy. ...
The ESPN documentary “Broke” showcased the challenges of professional athletes who suddenly come into huge salaries without adequate preparation for handling their new wealth. Even though the profiled athletes had amazing talents and power on the field, they strained to effectively manage their money. They struggled with greed, peer competition for the flashiest purchases, and separating their finances from the ...
There were those times when my younger brother, Terry, and I would get into battles that resulted in pushing or shoving, or worse. Occasionally, I would start a fight with my brother, only to have mom or dad walk in during Terry’s retaliation. Terry would get punished even though he didn’t start the fight. Had my parents listened to both ...
I was leading a non-profit board when we faced a divisive issue. Emotions were high, so we brought in a seasoned mediator to help us find a solution. The mediator recommended activities focused on building relationships and consensus to allow us to move forward. I, and a couple other board leaders, decided the issues couldn’t wait. We pushed through ...
Ben was driving in a line of cars on a hilly two-lane road. Everyone was driving at the speed limit, recognizing the need for patience. Unfortunately, Ben noticed in his rearview mirror a driver who instead chose impatience, closely tailgating and continually passing vehicles. When the driver passed him in a no-passing zone, Ben hoped to see the driver pulled ...
According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, JPMorgan and Bank of America are trying to “fix” the issue of investment bankers’ excessive hours. By capping these young bankers to 80 hours a week, think about the message these banks have sent. Basically, they’re saying, “We hear you have a problem with working so many hours, so we’ll cap them ...
I was leading a non-profit board when we faced a divisive issue. Emotions were high, so we brought in a seasoned mediator to help us find a solution. The mediator recommended activities focused on building relationships and consensus to allow us to move forward. I, and a couple other board leaders, decided the issues couldn’t wait. We pushed through a ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
