Remarkable Leadership Begins Unremarkably

Sometimes I think dreaming big is a cowardly excuse for doing nothing. If we dream big enough, we can justify inaction today. Nothing’s ever big enough to achieve really big dreams. Leadership is earned… Continue reading →

How to be the Boss and have Friends

If you don’t have friends at work, you feel alone for half your life. Can bosses be friends with direct reports? How about CEO’s with front-line employees? It depends on how you define… Continue reading →

Playing in the Gap

During a recent presentation, I asked participants to write the top five qualities of a great supervisor on sticky notes. One quality per note. Debrief: I asked, “What do you have on the… Continue reading →

10 Performance Conversation Starters

You’re a hero when you get hired and a loser during traditional performance reviews. It’s a waste to hire for strength and evaluate for weakness. Replace traditional annual reviews with monthly performance conversations. Better yet,… Continue reading →

The Purpose of Leadership

It’s tragic that the ranks of leadership include hirelings who serve for paychecks, rather than purpose. Leadership is a calling, not a career. One purpose-driven leader is worth a thousand hirelings. Money matters,… Continue reading →

Solution Saturday: Direct Reports Don’t Open Up

Dear Dan, I work for a company that believes developing people is central to success.  Part of my job is connecting with my direct reports in such a way that they feel free… Continue reading →