My client and I had been talking about how to get her free from the day-to-day so that she could tackle more long-term, strategic projects. Right in the middle of the conversation, she blurts out, “Why am I the only one solving problems around here?” Woah! That’s a big statement. “What do you mean?” I…
First off, in case you didn’t see it earlier in the week, Happy Bosses Day! Take a minute today and celebrate the difference you make in the world through your leadership, courage, and hard work. Seriously, it deserves celebration. One of the things I see consistently among my clients is that they don’t celebrate their…
No, I don’t think that offices should celebrate Bosses Day. I always think it’s problematic for subordinates to be buying gifts or throwing parties for their bosses. How can that not feel like butt-kissing? But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate! Without Bosses, nothing happens. For the last 25 years, I’ve been working alongside bosses!…
I was first put in charge of a company when I was 33. I’d been out of college for 11 years, and for 8 of them, I was an engineer – hooking wires together to make motors turn. I had no practical experience in leading a company! So when I gathered my staff together for my…
On Thursday I confessed that I’ve given up on goals as a tool for motivation and direction setting. Though goal setting had worked for me for a long time, I found myself getting over-invested in my goals – to the point where it drove unhealthy behaviors. But, if I got less invested, I’d set goals…
I love setting ambitious goals: I lived a lot of my life chasing goals, and it helped me make progress in my business. AND I’m now more cautious about investing myself too fully in chasing arbitrary numbers, achievements, and outcomes. I see them more as self-imposed goal posts that I move on myself more often…
We know that desperation has a “stench.” When we need to close a deal, the prospect can smell it, and it’s not attractive. So how do we approach prospects in a way where we can remain professional, where we keep our desperation and even excitement in check? How professionals sell You don’t see your doctor get…
Some of you read that subject line and thought, “Yeah, right! You don’t know my business!” But hang with me for a minute. Your business is a set of systems. You may have more (or fewer) systems – but you aren’t doing everything from scratch like you were on your first day of business. You…
Do you ever feel like you’re lost, like you’re off the path, not successful – things need to change now! What if that’s not true? For about 4 years, I pursued creating a resource library and community site for small business owners called Enmast.com. I poured time and attention into it, taking focus away from…
I used to believe that there were no do-overs in business. You only get one chance to make a first impression. You’ve got to nail it; get it right the first time. At least that’s what I believed! What if that’s wrong! But there are many times that I have a critical call with a…