Leader's Beacon

What’s Your Last Lap Of Commitment?

timsanders — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:30:59 +0000

About nine months ago, two synergistic things happened: I decided to get in shape and we got a new dog. And he’s a miniture poodle pup named Banksy that needs to be walked…a lot. So each day, I walk him up and down the Hollywood Hills. Some days, I’ve got a lot on my plate, [...]

The Power of Listening

Doug Dickerson — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:45:59 +0000

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. – Winston Churchill The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. [...]

Does Change Have to be Painful?

jjacoby — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:24:22 +0000

A corporate leader’s job is hardly easy. He or she must efficiently manage employees, account for outside competition, note any changes in the industry landscape and if necessary, profoundly modify the operational model a business should employ. Ironically, most leaders shrug in defiance at such duties due to their seemingly complex nature. However, there are [...]

When To Rehearse and When To Shoot From the Heart

timsanders — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000

Recently, I gave a talk on Relationship Power at a big conference that required quite a bit of research prior hand and nuance during delivery. I needed to create a one-of-a-kind talk to specifically help two groups come together, develop empathy for each other and collaborate. As an outsider, you can’t wing this, or you’ll [...]

Know When To Let Go

Doug Dickerson — Sat, 11 May 2013 22:00:52 +0000

When you have got an elephant by the hind legs and he is trying to run away, it’s best to let him go. – Abraham Lincoln A well-known story in some sectors of coastal communities such as where I live is that of the crab mentality. It is used to describe selfish or short-sighted people [...]

Business Blogging Tip: Think Like An Association Magazine

timsanders — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:30:39 +0000

Several years ago, via Chris Brogan and Julien Smith, I discovered the meaning of social media, including blogging. Be helpful. Not be flashy, noisy, tenacious or controversial – to be successful in social-for-business, you must help people enough to earn their attention (and maybe loyalty). While that sounds easy enough, it’s pretty easy to just [...]

In a Cave with a Bear on a Sunny Day: Lessons for Leaders in a Jam

Doug Dickerson — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:18:38 +0000

Circumstances don’t make a person; they reveal him or her. – Richard Carlson The story is told of two hunters who came across a bear so big that they dropped their rifles and ran for cover. One man climbed a tree while the other hid in a nearby cave. The bear was in no hurry [...]

Preparing For Your Next Conference – A primer for success

timsanders — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:30:17 +0000

I’m attending my 3rd conference this week as CEO of Net Minds. Sure, I’ve spoken at 200 conferences over the last decade, but that is not the same thing as attending one as a company team member. I’ve taken it for granted that I know conferences, but in fact, getting ready for this week has [...]

It’s Time to Face the Music: Making the Leadership Connection with Your Customers

Doug Dickerson — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:31:34 +0000

The bigger we get the smaller we have to think. Customers still walk in one at a time. – Sam Walton A story is told of how many years ago a man conned his way into the orchestra of the emperor of China although he could not play a note. Whenever the group performed, he [...]

Criticism: Behind Closed Doors or in Plain Sight?

jjacoby — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:33:36 +0000

Nearly every company revolves around the central idea of team performance. The synergy created by having multiple personalities and motivations can help any project be completed with efficiency and with quality results. Naturally, there are some times when things may not go as smoothly as planned. Indeed, if every effort always resulted in superior results, [...]

Instead Of Thinking Time Is Money Think Money Is Time

timsanders — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:30:24 +0000

For my entire life, I’ve heard this one: Time is money! However, most of the people who say this haven’t yet figured out how to fully sell out their time. That means that for them, time could potentially be money, but in the end…it’s just time. This misguided view causes us to be impatient, utilitarian [...]

Anger: Taming the Savage Beast

Doug Dickerson — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 15:55:54 +0000

Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. – Mark Twain A story is told of Abraham Lincoln’s secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, who was angered by an army officer who accused him of favoritism. Stanton complained to [...]

Hungry, hungry, HiPos – Feed your stars, or kiss them goodbye

derekmurphy — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:07:20 +0000

Ahhh, I recall with sincere fondness the memory of playing certain childhood games. Sorry, Monopoly, LIFE, and one of my personal favorites – Chutes and Ladders. Now, each of these has messaging, or themes, that could be related in some fashion or another to Corporate America – risk/reward; entrepreneurial spirit; getting ahead with good deeds [...]

Mr. Pink on Selling

David Kovacovich — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:47:20 +0000

I first discovered Dan Pink when I read his book, A Whole New Mind. In a time when managers were advising me to read Jack Welch; this book took a different approach. The Mac was gaining popularity, graphics were replacing spreadsheets and the right brainers now had a point of intrigue. Mr. Pink’s follow up, [...]

The Cold Call Is Dead: Long Live the Social Hat Tip

timsanders — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:30:08 +0000

Why do we use social media, be it personally or professionaly? To be heard. This was my takeaway from the recent Edison Research survey, which indicated that 25% of Facebook users visit the network five times or more a day. And when they visit, they pay more attention to interactions with their posts than the [...]

Excellence Busters – The Four Beliefs That Will Hold You Back

Doug Dickerson — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:59:40 +0000

Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected. – Steve Jobs While you may be familiar with the many inventions of Thomas Edison which include the incandescent light bulb and the microphone, but there is a back story to one invention that is of great significance. It [...]