Palm Tree or Fir Tree? What’s Your Decision Tree?

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned as a leader is embodied in The Big Six® principle, “Trust and Empower.” It wasn’t that I didn’t want to empower others; yet, I always seemed to drift back into being more controlling. And, throughout my career, I had to continuously step back and try to see myself … Read more

Set the Azimuth

An azimuth is defined as an angular measurement between an observer and a point of interest. It’s a concept used in navigation, astronomy, engineering, mapping, mining, and artillery. In business, it can be seen as the measurement between where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow. An effective leader must decide that … Read more

Listen

One of the most important Big Six® principles is developing the practice of truly listening. Many of us have been raised to believe that the more you say, and the louder you say it, the better you at leading. However, in an environment where listening is subordinated to talking, initiative is stifled and good ideas … Read more

Trust and Empower

Team members in a high performing business want to be challenged, trusted, and treated with dignity and respect. It all boils down to building the right culture where folks are empowered to do what they do best without being micro-managed. Beware the urge to micromanage. There’s a significant difference between leading and micromanaging; that difference … Read more

Do the Right Thing When No One is Looking

Integrity is non-negotiable. No matter what industry you’re in, no matter what role your team members have, it’s essential that everybody is focused on doing the right thing – rather than choosing an easier or faster shortcut – especially in the absence of supervision. This same rule applies to you and other leaders of your … Read more

When in Charge, Take Charge

Initiative is all-important. A hierarchical organization with diffused accountability and a lack of initiative is little more than a house of cards. Leaders can’t be afraid to take charge. Mistakes will come with the territory. The important thing is pulling together the right people for your team and creating a “bias for action” within your … Read more