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 ...
A common refrain I hear from many CEOs is that, “it’s lonely at the top.” Business owners often make tough decisions that they’re not comfortable sharing with their team members. Unless they find a group of peers, or pay for a business coach, many CEOs often end up making decisions in isolation. This can lead to a lack of wise ...
When a cook in North Carolina was hired by an IHOP restaurant, he informed his boss that he didn’t work on Sundays for religious reasons. This man’s wish was honored until new management took over. When the cook refused to work on Sunday, his new manager fired him. This cook sued IHOP and he recently received a $40,000 settlement ...
In his early 20s, my friend, Butch, bounced from job to job. I remember feeling sorry for him because he seemed lost. That’s until the day Butch proudly pronounced to his father, “I was hired today to work at your company.” Butch’s father was a successful construction superintendent. Butch’s dad was apprehensive because of Butch’s past work history. But ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
