You Assess, You Win We meant to take action, but the opportunity passed us by. OR We didn’t realize that staff person was not doing what we thought they were. OR The numbers we thought were right, were actually padded to look better than they are. OR A leader we believed was on board just…
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You might be a strategic leader if… Last week we discussed the importance of avoiding strategic mishaps, and why they occur. This week we continue our discussion with more specifics on how to be a strategic leader. Jeff Foxworthy is a famous comedian who originally became known for his one-liners dealing with – what he…
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Avoiding Strategic Mishaps We evaluated. We dreamt. We planned. We implemented the plan. (Or so we thought.) But… we didn’t mean for it to turn out this way. Sound familiar? At its simplest, strategy can be defined as crafting a plan for how we will succeed. Unfortunately, simply crafting a plan for how we will…
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Getting Ahead Do you ever feel like you are just a step behind? I don’t play chess anymore. My ego can’t handle it. As much as I try, I just don’t seem to be able to beat anyone at the game. The board looms before me, its pieces beckoning to be used. But I find…
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Communicating in Times of Crisis I was glued to my television in a way that I had never been before. I watched in horror as the twin towers in New York City fell. I saw people falling to their death. I saw people walking in ashes as they escaped. I listened to stories and to…
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Getting Everyone In The Game A common question we hear from leaders is “How can we increase the number of volunteers who get involved?” Simply put, what’s the best way of getting everyone in the game? If you are depending on volunteers and teams to grow your impact, this question can keep you awake at…
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Expectation vs Reality Have you ever gone to a restaurant and ordered from pictures only to be disappointed by the food that is actually delivered? Expectation vs reality can be disillusioning. Fast food places are notorious for this kind of thing. Have you ever received a burger that is so delicately constructed that the pickles,…
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Ownership and Action: Leadership Tool One big leadership challenge is driving ownership and action, the “buy-in” to needed change. The tension is to gain focused ownership while also designing initial action steps. This tool allows us to do both. To use this resource, all you need is a ready and willing mindset (yours and your…
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Overcoming Resistance to Change Sometimes, leadership is simply using your influence to bring about change. Overcoming resistance to change is a skill all leaders must therefore master. It is nearly impossible to lead without changing something. Whether you are improving things, adding staff, training people, or starting something brand new, there is always change in…
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How to Gain Clarity I have always thought that I talk “gooder” than others. I have thought of myself as a pretty good communicator. I have also thought about how to gain clarity, communication skills, and the art of helping others understand what I mean. When I speak, it is clear, it makes sense… at…
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