Category Archive: Leading

How to Change an Organization

The difference between great and average, when it comes to organizations, isn’t simply efficiency or effectiveness, it’s culture. Great organizations have great cultures. “The context in which people work shapes them.” Brook Manville. But… Continue reading

Leadership’s Greatest Value

Problems are giant black holes that capture focus, drain vitality, and divert resources. Solving problems seduces leaders away from future opportunities causing them to focus on past inadequacies. Problems that threaten organizations must be… Continue reading

The Top 4 Qualities of Successful Leaders

You can’t lead when you know too much. Education establishes barriers to thinking. Everything that comes your way is instantly judged by what you know. In some cases the less you know the… Continue reading

The Danger of Aspirations

Foolish leaders permit aspirations to minimize affirmations. Affirmations encourage and motivate by pointing to progress and success. On the other hand, aspirations say we aren’t there yet. Aspirations set targets; affirmations celebrate achievement.… Continue reading

10 Ways to Deal with Perfectionistic Roadblockers

A Leadership Freak reader asked, “How do you deal with others who expend energy stopping people from reaching their goals?” The context is perfectionism. Perfectionistic roadblockers may act intentionally or accidentally out of ignorance. The paralysis… Continue reading

Finding the Courage for “Wow”

“The truth is, mediocrity is natural. You don’t have to do anything to drift there. It just happens.” Michael Hyatt. 6 ways to find the courage you need to make “wow” happen: Take… Continue reading