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High Tech Meets High Touch: A Quick Leadership Self-Check

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 [...]

By |2025-05-06T13:03:53+00:00April 17th, 2025|Development|0 Comments

Why Developing People Is the Ultimate Leadership ROI

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 [...]

By |2025-05-06T13:09:09+00:00April 9th, 2025|Development|0 Comments

“Comparison Is the Thief of Joy” – A great quote from Teddy Roosevelt.

  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 [...]

By |2025-03-29T17:23:39+00:00March 12th, 2025|Development|0 Comments

Why Leaders Must Be Coaches

Today, more than ever, leaders must act as coaches. Employee engagement is at an all-time low, with data showing widespread disengagement. One major factor? The shift to decentralized work environments. Customer-facing employees are under increasing stress, and that stress directly impacts customer interactions. Keeping them engaged isn’t optional—it’s essential. One of the most effective ways to drive engagement is one-on-one coaching. Face-to-face is ideal, but virtual sessions are far better than a phone call. Coaching is about uncovering potential. Leaders create deeper connections by showing genuine interest in employees' roadblocks and challenges. The Power of Inquiry Insightful, open-ended questions empower employees to discover solutions and seize opportunities. Too often, leaders fall into the trap of fixing problems instead of facilitating discovery. [...]

By |2025-03-04T20:26:06+00:00February 26th, 2025|Development, Leadership|0 Comments

The Coaching Leader. 

The renowned author and anthropologist Ashley Montagu once said, “In teaching, it is the method, not the content, that conveys the message—it’s about drawing out, not pouring in.” Over the years, I’ve realized the truth of this statement: nothing can replace face-to-face, one-on-one coaching. Properly preparing for these sessions ensures a successful and meaningful outcome. Here are a few suggestions you may find helpful in your preparation. Before your meeting, take a few minutes and do the following. Review prior coaching sessions. What did you see? What did you learn? What were the action steps? Write down open-ended questions. Use active listening and inquiry. Identify the purpose of the meeting. Remind yourself to do less talking and more inquiry. See yourself as [...]

By |2025-01-08T16:39:53+00:00January 9th, 2025|Development, Leadership|0 Comments
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