Leaders speak to influence.
Leaders often fall into the “forgettable communications scourge.” Bill McGowan
Don’t bother speaking if you’re forgettable.
Bored people aren’t paying attention.
Listeners expect to hear something they don’t expect.
Influential words are clear, focused, and authenticity.
Momma said, “Don’t interrupt.” Let people finish. Pause. Make space.
Master the habit of letting people finish before you speak.
And then break the rules. Great conversations break the rules.
Some of the rules the experts suggest get in the way of great conversations.
No-win situations feel like running on a hamster wheel. Running faster multiplies frustration.
Three things never go away in leadership: competing priorities, limited resources, and increasing expectations.
It doesn’t matter how fast you run. You must run faster tomorrow. You have to lay off people and still deliver results, for example.
You have choices.
Beliefs shape actions.
Leaders rise or fall on beliefs.
Misguided beliefs overpromise and underdeliver.
The worst mistake energizes quick wins and long-term defeat.
Smart teams outperform smart individuals.
3 Practices That Build Smart Teams
Use these practices to build one you’re proud to lead.
Smart teams are never an accident. They’re built, not born.
This post is loaded with practices you can implement today.
Democratic management sounds noble—shared voice, shared power, shared purpose. But done poorly, it becomes a swamp of indecision, unclear roles, and death by consensus.
Done well, democratic management energizes people, advances mission, and deepens ownership.
Here’s how to make democratic decisions and avoid death by consensus.
