Build your relationships on the solid ground of TRUST
“To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.”~George MacDonald In the Law of Solid Ground in my 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, I asserted that trust is the foundation of leadership. But that’s not all. In reality, trust is necessary in ALL good relationships. Good marriages, business relationships, and friendships all require…
Read MoreThe 3 R's of Decision-making
This past week on Twitter, I’ve been sharing some of my favorite quotes on priorities and time management. Important topics for every generation, priorities and time management seem to become more and more crucial every decade. Today, in the age of the smartphone and social media, even technology has joined the fight for our most…
Read MoreR.E.S.P.E.C.T… What does it mean to you?
A few years ago, I read an article about a young man who, at age 23, went to work as the senior pastor of his first church. He found the experience very intimidating because he was to be the spiritual leader of people who had children and grandchildren older than he was. How did he…
Read MoreYou can't find the right answer if you're asking the wrong question
Image courtesy of Photobucket “The uncreative mind can spot wrong answers, but it takes a creative mind to spot wrong questions.” ~Sir Antony Jay When problem-solving, it’s so easy to fall into the rut of uncreative thinking. We can focus so much on answers and solutions that we lose sight of the question. And if…
Read MoreThe power of words on a page
Nineteenth-century writer Walt Whitman struggled for years to get anyone interested in his poetry. He became very discouraged. But then he received a note that read: Dear sir, I am not blind to the worth of the wonderful gift of Leaves of Grass. I find it the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that…
Read MoreJoin me at an upcoming event!
In Beijing, teaching over 300 top business leaders These past few weeks I’ve been traveling internationally. First Nigeria, then Ukraine, and now China. The trip has gone smoothly so far, with extremely positive responses to my teaching. I feel truly blessed to be invited to add value to leaders around the world. After this trip,…
Read MoreDon't shun the sting!
Today I’m probably known most for my public speaking. The irony is that when I first started speaking, I was anything but effective. In fact, I remember being really fearful, and it showed. In my first speaking opportunity as a senior in college, I was terrible. People described my speaking style as “stiff.” I could’ve…
Read MoreFor my friend, John Wooden
“Make each day your masterpiece.” -John Wooden On June 4, 2010, the world lost a legend and I lost a friend. Basketball coach John Wooden passed away at 99 years of age. John Wooden’s stories and quotes show up in a number of my books, for good reason. He was an amazing man. He coached basketball…
Read MoreWhen You Get Kicked in the Rear, You Know You’re Out in Front
Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “Criticism is something you can avoid easily—by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” Obviously, that isn’t an option for anyone who wants to be successful as a leader. Good leaders are active, and their actions often put them out front. That often draws criticism. When spectators watch a race, where…
Read MoreDon't quit during training
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” ~Muhammad Ali Many people make decisions when things aren’t going well. They look for relief in the despair of the valley instead of waiting for the clarity that comes from being on…
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