Archive for March, 2007
Leaders Should Watch Planet Earth
For weeks I have anticipated the premier of a new program on Discover Channel: Planet Earth. Filmed in high definition (HD), the program explores all the usual facets of the natural world: deserts, mountains, the African plains animals, plants, rainforests, and life and death.
But, that is half the story and a smaller part of why this show pertains to business.
A BIG part of a leader’s responsibility is to help people see important issues in new ways and craft solutions that are novel and, therefore, valuable. Every truly innovative product is birthed out of a new way of looking at a problem, desire or need.
The iPod is a classic example. On the surface it is merely a disc- or memory-chip based Sony Walkman and so is only an advance over playback…
March Madness Lessons - #1
Oh man! What a great time of year to learn about teamwork and emotion and leadership the easy way!
Watch what the athletes say about teamwork, pulling their individual weight, trusting each other to bring their best skills and make smart decisions. Watch them hustle like mad for a loose ball as if the game depends on it.
Watch the level of engagement by the coach. Watch the intensity of encouragement given the players by their teammates on the bench.
Watch the amount of pride and emotional energy the players bring to their work, and show for their teams, teammates, school and each other.
I wish we had that kind of connectedness in our workplaces. Don’t you? After years of coaching highly skilled, successful executives, I still marvel at how impersonally many of them…
A 50/50 Decision
I crossed paths with a friend I hadn’t seen each in five months or so. We caught up on the happens and goings on in each other’s world. He recently left his job of five or so years with a big retail chain to start a business with his roommate.
He was so proud of his move. He had wanted to leave his job for a while and so when he stepped away onto the entrepreneurial path he was so proud, and a little anxious.
I think he’s learning is that working for the man in a big company seems a lot easier than the early days of building a business. Nonetheless, he is feeling invigorated, hopeful and a little scared.
I’m hopeful for him, too, and a little worried. I don’t yet…
