Author Archive

20 Things all Great Organizational Leaders Do

Jim Collins said he wanted to write a book about great organizations not great leaders. But as his research grew, he realized great organizations had one thing in common, great leaders. He ended… Continue reading →

Top Five Qualities of an Asshole

“We have a no asshole policy at Baird.” (Beth Kavelaris, Director of Culture & Integration, Robert W. Baird & Co. at the Great Place to Work Annual Conference 2013) I was impressed with… Continue reading →

From Tantrums to Leadership

Image source by by Piotr Siedlecki Weak, fearful leaders are like unrully two year olds. They create messes and throw tantrums. Undeveloped, incompetent leaders are “takers” who believe followers exist to serve them Weak… Continue reading →

Top Ten Qualities of Exceptional Leaders

Fitting in is the formula for mediocrity. Average is safe, boring, and deadly. I’ve been rubbing elbows with outstanding leaders from organizations on the Great Place to Work list of exceptional companies. Excellence… Continue reading →

All’s Well that Begins Well

This note arrived from a young leader: I’m spearheading some interdepartmental activities with the goal of more open communication and increased relationships between departments. Could you suggest some good resources? Would you consider… Continue reading →

When Your Heart Lets Others Down

Negative environments are built by negative leaders. Organizations reflect their leaders. All leaders influence attitudes and behaviors. The people closest to you reflect you. If you aren’t influencing, you’re not leading. (Take this… Continue reading →