I was recently asked a question on Quora: Is there a difference between giving feedback or giving criticism as a leader? What are the main differences? Huge differences. Most have to do with intent and desired … [Read More...]
The Brazen Leader
Musings on Leadership, Business, and Things that Make You Go Hmmmm
Brazen
[brey-zuh n]
adjective
1. bold and without shame.
2. shameless.
synonyms
1. Defiant
2. Bold
3. Insolent
“Bold and without shame.” I cannot think of a better way to describe successful leadership today. Too many are taking the milquetoast, timid approach… and they are losing. To quote Bob Newhart, Stop It!
It’s time to take back leadership. To remember that leadership is a responsibility, an obligation and a noble calling; that those who follow us don’t need a buddy, commiserator or simpatico. They didn’t show up looking for a friend—they need us to lead. And that means doing so outwardly… decisively… boldly.
Sure, we should be understanding, and empathy is a hallmark of a successful leader. But being in front means sometimes you get in people’s face. Sometimes tough-love is the best love. And sometimes—just sometimes—it means the loneliness that comes from making the hard calls. The decisions that are best for people and organizations, even if not immediately popular.
It means being bold, and without any shame whatsoever.
It means being The Brazen Leader.
Join me in this journey. I’ll be open, honest and direct; you can be the same. Respond, comment, yell, scream, send smoke signals—whatever works. Dialog can—should—be a bit messy. Let’s do that here.
I stand ready to help in any way.
To find out more about me, my firm, or what we can do to help, just click on the logo below.
Ok, Debbie-Downer… BE POSITIVE!
https://youtu.be/Mfxg77vW3O8 … [Read More...]
Monkey see, Monkey do… Leading by example, like it or not
A funny thing… when speaking with leaders and managers in most companies, you’ll hear the same thing: “We should lead by example.” Well, yes, but… You already lead by example. All leaders lead by example, every single … [Read More...]
25 Leadership Hacks & Tips
I was just doing some thinking on a plane ride recently (not much else to do). Often, we are our own worst enemy, sabotaging our efforts with our own behavior. Though added resources (people, money, etc.) seem to an answer … [Read More...]
Brazen Bit of Leadership: Learning Leadership
Video: … [Read More...]
Tough Conversations: Have ‘em or avoid ‘em??
Difficult Conversations... Nobody really likes them. Yes, some are better than others in dealing with them, but they are likely not high on our most-favorite interactions list. Tough conversations make us uncomfortable. … [Read More...]
Who are you listening to? — Beware false prophets…
Consultants have been around for a long time. Some would argue we’re the second-oldest profession; others may even make some snide, not-so-humorous analogies to the oldest profession. Ok, some of those are … [Read More...]
Leadership Can Hurt — Wear a helmet…
Leadership is inherently fraught with risks; we can no more avoid them than we can the decisions that cause the concerns. Wringing our hands won’t fix it, neither will running around the figurative circle waving our arms … [Read More...]
Top 10 Client Lessons from 2019
Another year in the books (or the cloud, or wherever we store history these days). In 2019, we worked with executives in healthcare, technology, contact centers, financial services, higher education and more, and we’ve helped … [Read More...]
The Courageous Leader
Courageous Leadership. I’m not talking about hand-to-hand, gun-to-gun, charge the hill type of courage. No, bravery in battle is not the same thing as courageous leadership. And make no mistake about it—leaders … [Read More...]