When I wrote recently about firing monster clients who eat up disproportionate time and resources, one reader replied, “Great idea. Do you have a guide for how exactly we should do that?” It was a good question. A guide like that would have been useful to me earlier in my career. I have had to […]
Archive for Leadership
George Washington Shows Us How Leaders Are Readers
5 Lessons From America’s First Bookworm-in-Chief
Most Americans think of George Washington as a great leader and the father of our country, but I bet few of us think of overdue library books. When Washington was president, he borrowed two books from a New York library and forgot to return them. According to a humorous but true story the fines for […]
When Leaders Have to Speak Up
3 Ways to Work up the Courage to Say It
People have way more potential than we often think they do. They can change, but unless we find the courage to speak up, they may not have the opportunity. Here are three truths to remember when you are faced with having a difficult conversation.
What You Learn on the Way to Success
A 3-Point Check-Up to Get the Most out of the Middle
There comes a point in every story when you are ready to quit. It could be a relationship, a project, or your job. Regardless, you’ve had enough, and you are ready to “throw in the towel.”
3 Habits of Highly Effective Coaches
How to Step Back, Ask Questions, and Get Results
If you’ve ever had the benefit of a great coach, you know just how powerful coaching can be. But leaders know it can sometimes be difficult to coach the people on your own team. It’s one of the main reasons people are reluctant to delegate work in their Drudgery and Disinterest Zones. It takes so […]
Three Reasons You Can’t Afford That High-Maintenance Client
How to Spot the Relationships that Will Only Drag You Down
I don’t mean to sound unkind, but there are just some people you are not called to serve. You can spend all your time caught up in the drama of their demands and accusations, or you can move on. The sooner you cut the cord, the more productive—and happy—you’ll be.