Character
Mark Cole: Pride Goes Before a Fall
Growing up, my mom tirelessly reminded me of a popular verse from the book of Proverbs: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” The longer I live, the more I understand why she made sure I learned this lesson. Pride is a big problem for any leader. Here’s why: Pride Leads…
Read MoreMark Cole: 11 Reasons Why You Will Be a Better Leader This Year
There’s a hunger for leadership in the world today like never before. People have looked to Hollywood, sports figures and politics, all in hopes that leadership will show itself. We’ve all been disappointed in places of business, or faith, or Wall Street. And this has generated confusion about what leadership really means. This hunger produces…
Read MoreBecome a Leader Others Want to Follow
Today, my newest book, Leadershift: 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace, finally hits shelves in stores. Thank you to everyone who pre-ordered a copy of the book or helped get the word out through social media. We’re expecting a great launch, and it’s made possible by your help and excitement. I’m also excited for…
Read MoreDeveloping Credibility as a Leader
I recently spent an afternoon with Carly Fiorina discussing how leadership values and tools can make a difference in communities around the world. Carly and I are two sides of the leadership coin—I’m an encouraging leader who helps people discover (or rediscover) values of leadership, while Carly is an empowering leader who provides practical tools…
Read MoreLeadership Blind Spots
Leadership Blind Spots Do you have any blind spots? …If you answered no, you now know where your blind spot is! Okay, I think most of us would acknowledge that we do possess blind spots. We assume there must be some areas where we “don’t know what we don’t know.” And we suppose that our…
Read MoreLive2Lead: A Chance to Serve your people and your community
What’s your highest calling as a leader? Well, I believe it’s being a servant leader. I often teach that leaders ask the question, “Will I help people?” But servant leaders ask, “HOW will I help people?” When you’re a servant leader, you do so much more than just make people a priority. You look for…
Read MoreHow Would You Work With A Difficult Leader Who Doesn’t Like You?
From Good Leaders Ask Great Questions It’s difficult to work with someone you think doesn’t like you, especially when it’s your leader. Most people don’t respond to it well. They often do one of the following: Hide from the person: Many people go into avoidance mode. The good news is that there isn’t direct conflict.…
Read MoreTraveling to Infinity and Beyond Means Leaving Self-Centeredness Behind
Forty-five years ago, on July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin accomplished a feat considered impossible for much of human history. Escaping the gravitational pull of the earth, and soaring beyond its atmosphere, they were the first persons to set foot on the moon. Their successful mission was the crowning achievement of NASA’s…
Read MoreCommunication: Keep Traffic Flowing and Make Sure It’s Going Both Ways
Walking into a new work environment can be a bewildering experience. You meet a number of new teammates, get thrown into several ongoing projects, and have to navigate unfamiliar systems. The amount of information you’re exposed to, and the pace at which you’re expected to learn your responsibilities, can feel overwhelming. Imagine having to help…
Read MoreThe Lawyer Who Didn’t Lie
A busload of lawyers careened off a mountain road and tumbled over a cliff. The bus was destroyed and there were no survivors. Tragically, the bus was only half full. Though there are a number of wonderful attorneys, as the joke above indicates, members of the legal profession are often subjected to a negative stereotype.…
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