Development

We’re all busy with meetings, projects, deadlines, challenges, not to mention everything happening in our personal and social lives. So how do we manage it all, stay sane, and continue making meaningful progress? If I may, I’d like to share a perspective that has worked for me, one I explore in my book Make Today Your Masterpiece. What I’ve come to believe is simple: all we truly have is today. There is a poem that has deeply influenced me, and in fact, helped inspire both the mantra and the book. In The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, translated by Edward Fitzgerald, we read: “The moving finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel [...]

There’s no question that high-tech is here to stay. Not long ago, the term “high tech” was new to our vocabulary. Today, it’s an essential part of how we live and work. From the Internet to social media and beyond, technology has transformed how we communicate and stay connected. But no matter what business we’re in, as leaders, we’re ultimately in the people business. People buy our products and services, and people deliver them. That’s why high-touch skills are just as important as high-tech ones. Interpersonal skills, like listening, encouraging, and communicating clearly, are what set great leaders apart. Now might be a good time for a quick self-assessment. On a scale from 1 to 5 (5 being the highest), how would you rate yourself on [...]

During a recent Leadership Development workshop I led, someone asked a thoughtful question: “How is a leader’s effectiveness measured?” At first glance, the answer is simple: if the company, department, or team is hitting its numbers, then the leader must be effective. But I disagree. That wasn't my answer. Yes, results matter. But real leadership success is reflected in the growth of your people. If your team members are developing new skills, gaining knowledge, and becoming more effective in executing the plan, that’s true leadership success. My core belief is this: People growth = Business growth. Lack of people growth = Business in decline. So, every leader should ask themselves: Who is succeeding because of you? Who on your team has grown [...]

  I’ve found this to be profoundly true in both my personal and professional life. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison: "Look at that person. I could never be that good." "Look at that company. They scaled so fast, and we started at the same time. Now look at them!" Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve played the comparison game too. Now, don’t confuse comparison with learning from best practices. Always be learning, growing, and striving for improvement. But when we compare ourselves to others, doubt creeps in. The key is to shift our focus to compare ourselves not to others but to our own potential. Ask yourself: "What do I (or we) need to do to get better with [...]