The CEO and a Symphony Conductor: Orchestrating Success

Recently I attended the symphony and was enamored by the conductor. With a clear understanding of what the composure intended from the music, he acrobatically and with great expression inspired each section of the orchestra to deliver on this vision. A CEO role is very much the same as a symphony conductor. Both positions require…

Read More

Avoiding bad decisions

Decision-making is essential for any leader, but bad decisions can undermine your influence. One of the causes of poor decisions is cognitive biases. Cognitive biases are thinking patterns that lead people to make irrational or incorrect decisions. They can influence our judgment, perception, and interpretation of information, often without awareness. Cognitive biases can be dangerous…

Read More

Before you jump into that leadership role, read this

Starting a new job as an executive is exciting and overwhelming. You are entering a new role or organization, and making a solid first impression is essential. There is a tendency to “jump right in” and make big decisions thinking you need to prove they made the right decision picking you. That would be a…

Read More

Imposter Syndrome is a real thing…

Imposter Syndrome is a psychological pattern in which individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a fraud. It is a common experience that affects people of all ages, genders, and professional backgrounds. Imposter Syndrome leads to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and anxiety, ultimately limiting an individual’s potential. Imposter Syndrome at work is…

Read More

Lonely at the top is a real thing…

The corner office has long been a symbol of success and power. It represents the pinnacle of achievement. However, this coveted workspace has a dark side. At first glance, it may seem counterintuitive that someone with so much authority and responsibility could feel lonely. After all, they have access to the best resources and talent…

Read More

The Toxic Boss – 6 X 6

What happens when you have a toxic boss and how to fix it A toxic boss affects your work, job satisfaction, and quality of life. Knowing what a toxic boss does to the organization and the employee is essential. But equally important is to have strategies to manage a poisonous boss situation. Here are six…

Read More

Improve your leadership presence!

Leadership presence is a vital aspect of being an effective leader. It refers to how you carry yourself, communicate, and interact with others. Your leadership presence can inspire and motivate people to follow you or create a sense of unease and reluctance. To improve your leadership presence, here are some tips that can help. Changing…

Read More

The Buck Stops Here – How to make sound decisions

Making difficult choices at work can be challenging, especially when the outcome of those decisions can significantly impact the organization and the people it serves. Whether you are a manager or an individual contributor, there are times when you will be faced with difficult choices that require you to consider your options and carefully make…

Read More

No Succession Plan? What could go wrong?

Succession planning can be seen as a “nice to have,” but it can wait. Umm, not so much. I was an executive with a credit union when the CEO died suddenly at a legislative breakfast at the state capitol. The disruption, disarray, and sense of fear were overwhelming. Key executives were more worried about their…

Read More