Problem-Solving 101: Solve the Problem before the Problem
Do you know the number-one mistake most people make when encountering a problem? They don’t solve the problem before the problem. Now, you may be asking yourself, What’s John talking about? How can there be a problem before my problem? My friend, I assure you that there is, and I’m going to tell you what…
Read MoreNovel Change vs Needed Change
From the day you are born until the day you die, there is one constant throughout your life: CHANGE. From your physical appearance to your intelligence, from your emotional awareness to your spiritual well-being, you are constantly in a state of flux. You are changing. Many of these changes come without effort on your part.…
Read MoreThe World’s Most Important Building
One of the most stunning buildings in the world stands in the middle of the New York City skyline. At 1,776 feet tall, it draws people from all over the world to remind them of the tireless spirit of the American people. It is One World Trade Center, and it grew from the ashes of…
Read MoreThe 5 Levels of Leadership
A business executive. A softball coach. A classroom teacher. A volunteer coordinator. A parent. Whether you’re one of these things or all of these things, one thing remains true: You are a leader. But where are you on your leadership journey, and where do you go from here? Over my years of teaching about leadership,…
Read MoreBuilding Integrity in an Age of Image
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” It’s actually one of my least favorite sayings. It’s a catchy but destructive idea that does more harm than good, and here’s why: You can’t truly “make it” if you don’t have integrity. And integrity is the opposite of fake. It literally means being…
Read MoreTurning Pressure into Production
Like most of the world, I’ve had my eye on the Olympics for the last week or so. While I’ve not caught every event, I’ve certainly enjoyed stealing as much time as I can to watch as the world’s greatest athletes take their place on the global stage. And as I watch each event, from…
Read MoreMaking the Most of Influence in Motion
As a leader, you’re already aware that your ability to positively influence another person is the central component of your leadership. So you understand that influence matters to leaders. But how do you measure your influence? By the number of people who work for you? By the number of followers you have on Twitter? By…
Read MoreConsistency: A Wise Investment of Time
Have you ever considered the time investment in some of the world’s greatest achievements? · It took 26 months to build the Eiffel Tower. · It took Da Vinci 4 years to paint the Mona Lisa. · It took Michelangelo 4 years to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. · It took Leo Tolstoy…
Read MoreDeveloping a Powerful Positive Perspective
Over the past few months, I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of perspective. In fact, one of the greatest assets any leader can have is a powerful positive perspective – the ability to see the good in any circumstance. It’s like the young boy who was playing baseball in his front yard. The…
Read MoreCreating Your Own Luck
This week, for a new project, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk leadership with Rick Hendrick at his headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was a wonderful day, and I came away with something that I want to share with you, because I think it will be of tremendous value. Now, if…
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