This question is perhaps one of the most important questions that can be asked in any organization and yet is one that may never be asked by management, even in companies with long histories. The answer to this question is ultimately determined by the perspective of management, which is transferred into the workforce. This perspective determines the culture – how people communicate and what is communicated, how people work together, project success, the value added by expansions, relationships with suppliers, even employee loyalty and retention. If companies decide to adopt a “manage the value stream” approach, the management team will

The Kentucky Derby for this year is in the past and the Preakness Stakes is upon us. Which horse will win?  What style of running is best fitted for the 1 3/16 mile race at Pimlico?  Thoroughbreds usually run in one of four styles: front runner, stalker, grinder or closer. Throughout racing history, winners have come from all four styles. What is the connection between leadership and horse racing?  Like horses, not all leaders use the same style.  Though good leadership calls for the ability to change styles from time to time, most leaders have a preferred style.  Some are

Let me ask you a question, “What transformation are you seeking in your life?” Some may think that this question doesn’t apply to their life. Others may feel that they need to change… everything! I believe we are all constantly going through some transformation; the problem is that most fight it! We push back against change because it’s uncomfortable. My challenge to you is to try thinking about life as; “Constant Never Ending Improvement.” With that mindset you will rarely find yourself in a rut. Be your best today and everyday!

  NEW DIRECTIONS IN LEADERSHIP TRAINING New Directions Leader As Beginner: Part Nine “What happened was: they became a team…. There had been times before…when they acted like a team, but those were very different from feeling like a team…feeling like part of a team is something that happens invisibly. You might call it caring….”  ? E.L. Konigsburg Sakyong Mipham, a Buddhist meditation teacher, writes about the important role “caring,” as Ms. Konigsburg describes it, plays in relation to being a part of a team. Here’s what he says: “Once when I was staying with friends in Colorado, I took

TOTAL RECOVERY ARIZONA WELLNESS TIP As we get older certain physical things begin to creep up on us. Let’s take for instance those who have been very active and enjoy still being aggressive in certain sports or activities such as jogging, running or strength training. I have always spoken on the importance of strength training, especially as we get older. I still strongly believe that being physically strong is a key to longevity. Strength training should be done at least two days per week, for the rest of your life! The need for other aerobic based activity needs to be

Dear Speak Easy Coach, I have recently been promoted to a managerial position and am having a very hard time getting the respect and buy-in from the people who work for me. It is so strange because I have worked with these same people for a long time and we have always worked together very smoothly. I would say we are all good friends. We socialize together a lot outside of work. It’s very hard for me to be the boss and I don’t want to lose these great friends of mine. I like my job a lot and want

Do you ever wonder why it’s so hard to break a habit? Whether it’s biting your fingernails, the way you speak, or your reaction to drivers who cut you off on the highway, old habits die hard.  The reason being is that behaviors, when repeated frequently enough, become habitual. We no longer consciously think about what we are doing or saying. We react rather than intentionally respond to a person or situation. So it is with anger. Anger is not a bad emotion. All emotions are messengers that provide valuable insight into our nature and personal issues. Anger, when channeled

Servant Leadership – What is it?  Why give it a try? Premise — Servant leaders: Are more highly regarded by their employees They feel better about themselves They accomplish more Who wouldn’t want that? Servant leaders have been around for a long, long time.  Within the past century, names like Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Theresa and Gandhi come to mind.  No doubt, the bodies of work satisfy the above premise. I’m sure you can think of many other examples as well.  Even better, whom do you know personally?  It helps when you can identify someone as a great role

Have you ever known a high achieving person? How about a dynamic and successful leader? Another of the 30-plus habits and traits of these people is energy; consistent, high, positive and focused energy. Success requires this type of energy. Any successful person is a leader, even if only of themselves (as with solopreneurs or some athletes). Most successful people must also lead others. A leader’s energy isn’t the temporary, jacked-up energy of caffeine or other stimulants; it is the energy born of passion and drive; personal imperative. Passion is necessary to great success. Our greatest source of passion comes from

One quality of a great leader is the ability to delegate authority while retaining responsibility, a valuable lesson I learned from my former boss, Mike Pulliam. Mike helped his leadership team realize that it was a privilege to lead, demonstrating his servant leadership by setting the example, developing others, and supporting us along the way. As our boss, he believed it was his responsibility to train his team and allow us room to make mistakes. He believed that if we could make our own decisions, we would attempt to do the right thing. Instilling Loyalty: An Example of Leadership in Action Mike