September, 2013

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How to Walk

Leadership Freak

'We have forgotten how to walk. All we do is go places. A proper walk doesn’t have a destination. Gwyn Thomas put it this way, “But the beauty is in the walking — we are betrayed by destinations.” Those who truly walk don’t sweat. Lacing up walking shoes during lunch is exercise, not walking. Walking […].

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Today's Three Tips: Be Decisive. Find The Truth. Write A Thank You Note.

Eric Jacobsen Blog

'Be decisive A manager who can''t make a decision or who can''t make a timely decision will frustrate his/her employees. Equally bad, a lack of decision will impede the progress of the manager''s team. Some managers make endless requests for data as a way to postpone their having to make a decision. Employees end up spinning in circles, slicing and dicing the information far beyond what is truly needed for the manager to make a decision.

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Leadership is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Kevin Eikenberry

'Two of the most noted races in the track and field world are the 100 meter dash and the marathon. They are on opposite ends of the length spectrum – a sprint of 100 meters and a long trek of 42,195 meters (26 miles, 385 yards). Many times leaders work and act with an incredible […].

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Doug Lipp | Learning From Disney About How To Create A Thriving Workforce

Tanveer Nasser

How does a storied organization like Disney create an engaged, empowered workforce despite the current economic challenges, and what can other organizations learn from their experience? That's the basis of my conversation with international keynote speaker and former Disney executive Doug Lipp in this latest episode of “Leadership Biz Cafe”. Doug began his career at Disney as one of the trainers at the Disney University at Disneyland.

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The Hidden Skills That Separate Good Leaders from Great Ones

Speaker: Chandra McCormack, CPA, MBA, NACD.DC

Technical degrees might open doors—but it’s the soft skills that keep them open. In the face of disruption, evolving workplace dynamics, and rising expectations of leadership, soft skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and presence have become core business essentials—not nice-to-haves. Inspired by stories from her father coupled with her own career journey, seasoned executive Chandra McCormack breaks down how to lead with impact, connect with purpose, and cultivate a workplace cult

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Nate Silver on Finding a Mentor, Teaching Yourself Statistics, and Not Settling in Your Career

Harvard Business Review

'Perhaps no one has done more for the cause of data-driven decision-making in the minds of the public than Nate Silver. His book, The Signal and the Noise , explains the power of statistical modeling to improve our predictions about everything from the weather to sports to the stock market. Data science is the hottest field to be in right now , and Silver is its poster child.

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Drucker: Treat Employees Like Volunteers

Leadership Freak

'Accept the fact that we have to treat almost anybody as a volunteer. ………………………………………… Peter Drucker I caught an awkward glimpse of myself when I asked my wife, “Would you like me to tell you what I think you should do?” Surprisingly, she said, “No, not really.

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How Leaders Dilute Their Impact

Leadership Freak

'Image source Brevity increases impact. The Gettysburg address had 267 words, give or take a couple. 50 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke for about 16 minutes. Who doesn’t remember, “I have a dream.” Managing requires more talking than leading. Technicalities and execution require more words than disruption, encouragement, guidance, and inspiration.

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From Negative Feelings to Positive Action.

Leadership Freak

'Without negative feelings you get more of the same. Emotions like sadness, fear, anger, and hatred, typically indicate something’s wrong. Negative emotions challenge. Positive emotions confirm. Stuck-people need more fear and anger, not less. Fear they’ll miss what they love and anger it’s getting away. Transforming negative emotion to positive action: Own Stop blaming.

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How to Rise Above “I’ll do it Myself”

Leadership Freak

'Individual contributors have impact by getting things done. Leaders have exponential impact by getting things done through others. But, it often feels easier to do it yourself. Five reasons it’s easier to do it yourself: Control. Quality. It’s done the way you want it to be done. Scheduling. No relational component. No communication confusion. Three […].

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How to Make People Feel Powerful

Leadership Freak

'Image source Dominant, controlling leaders complain about helpless followers. They say things like, “No one takes initiative.” The more control you exercise, the less power they feel. The more you say, “No,” the more helpless they feel. The more you rein in the less initiative they take. Controlling leaders: Prefer powerless followers, even though they […].

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Future of HR: Navigating Transformation in the Digital Age

Speaker: Jeremy York

Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of the rapidly evolving HR landscape as we examine how technological innovation, regulatory changes, talent strategies, and evolving diversity approaches are reshaping the profession. This webinar will provide HR professionals with practical insights on leveraging AI and emerging technologies while maintaining compliance in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

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The Seven Choices of Exceptional Leaders

Leadership Freak

'#1. Choose to be known for what’s in your heart. Intelligence and skill matter most when they express your heart. Leaders who bypass their heart end up cold. #2. Choose small now. Don’t wait for dramatic. Don’t despise small steps that produce small results. Do something small rather than nothing at all. Small beginnings that […].

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Seven Secrets to Listening When Time is Short

Leadership Freak

'The need to feel important closes ears and open’s mouths. Listening is both humble and humbling. Talking makes you feel important. Listening to others makes them feel important. Seven reasons you don’t listen: Entitled. You deserve it. After all, you’re the boss. Big brain. You know the answer. Quick minds stop listening quickly. Helpless. You’re […].

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Lousy Leaders Suck at Difficult Conversations

Leadership Freak

'Lousy leaders build mediocre organizations because they dance around issues. But, remarkable is the result of difficult conversations done skillfully. Mediocrity arrives when difficult conversations are avoided. Why lousy leaders suck at tough conversations? Pretending and transparency: The false face lousy leaders wear invites others to be false too.

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How to Get Over Yourself

Leadership Freak

'The world is full of leaders who are full of themselves. it’s a real eye-opener when you realize the world doesn’t revolve around you. When you were two years old, you could be the center of attention. But, big boys and girls get over themselves. Self-centered leaders struggle when they aren’t the center of attention. […].

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4 HR Priorities for 2025 to Supercharge Your Employee Experience

Speaker: Carolyn Clark and Miriam Connaughton

Forget predictions, let’s focus on priorities for the year and explore how to supercharge your employee experience. Join Miriam Connaughton and Carolyn Clark as they discuss key HR trends for 2025—and how to turn them into actionable strategies for your organization. In this dynamic webinar, our esteemed speakers will share expert insights and practical tips to help your employee experience adapt and thrive.

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16 Practices that Reignite Momentum

Leadership Freak

'You lost momentum because you did the right thing too long. Momentum never changes until something changes. Igniting momentum requires shifts in attitudes, behaviors, methods, and results. 16 practices to reignite momentum: Celebrate in public. Kick butt and complain in private. Define current reality. Don’t pussyfoot. Use hard data, observable behaviors, and market conditions to […].

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Removing the Lid on Your Organization

Leadership Freak

'The lid on your organization is the person’s feelings you’re trying to protect. The conversation down the hallway goes like this. “We can’t bring that issue up because Mr./Ms. ‘I’m The Center of the Universe’ will get upset.” The drama queens you dance around determines how far you go. Sammy Salesman gets bent out of […].

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10 Ways to Take a Break at Work

Leadership Freak

'Take a short break and restore your energy while you’re at work. Don’t wait until you get home. Do it now. Short breaks: Go on an office “thank you tour.” Stop into offices or meetings and thank people for their service. Be specific, personal, and brief. Turn and walk away when your done. Take a […].

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When Candor Means They’re a Jerk

Leadership Freak

'Experience shows candor is rare. Ignoring uncomfortable topics and dancing around difficult issues is expected. Candor surprises. Leaders who push things under the carpet are nurse maids not leaders. Candor gone wrong: Jerks excuse destructive candor by saying, “I’m just being honest.” Bob Burg says, “Those who take pride in being ‘brutally honest’ are typically more […].

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How to Make The Best Benefits Decisions for 2025's Workforce: An HR and Total Rewards Guide

Speaker: Kaitlin Ruby Carroll

Retaining top talent in 2025 means rethinking benefits. In a competitive job market, fertility benefits are more than just offerings - they are a commitment to your team’s well-being. Gain critical insights into the latest fertility benefits strategies that can help position your organization as an industry leader. Our expert will explore the unique advantages and challenges of each model, share success stories from top organizations, and offer practical strategies to make benefits decisions tha

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My Favorite Mistake

Leadership Freak

'Mistakes make wise leaders better and foolish leaders worse. Wise leaders learn and adapt. Foolish leaders just keep on going. “Still learning” means you don’t know. My favorite mistake: My favorite mistake is thinking I know when I don’t. Knowing is great when I’m right. Sadly, I think I’m right nearly all the time. I […].

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How to Stay Focused and Flexible

Leadership Freak

'Navigating the tension between two contrasting qualities takes maturity. Leaders tend to be tenacious or kind, for example, but not both. Either/or is easier than both/and. The ability to be two things at the same time creates opportunity and extends influence. The Ten Tensions of Leadership: Tenacity and kindness. Vision and openness. Kindness and candor.

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David, Goliath, and Cows Looking at new Gates

Leadership Freak

'Dairy cows walk the same path, following each other. The grass wears away. The ground grows hard. They know where to go. Every morning and night, when I was a kid, I opened the gate in the electric fence to let them into the barnyard and then into the barn. When they left, after being […].

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How to Define Reality

Leadership Freak

'Some believe repetition creates reality. For example, keep repeating, “I’m a great leader,” and you’ll become a great leader. In other words, lie to yourself enough and you’ll believe a lie. Words aren’t magic fairy dust. You can’t sprinkle them on tough situations and poof, they vanish. Words don’t turn pumpkins into carriages. Saying something’s […].

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The Diversity Reckoning: Can HR Survive Without New Perspectives?

Speaker: Jeremy York

2024 has tested every organization, and 2025 promises no less - the warning signs are everywhere. If you’re relying on superficial approaches to diversity, you might find yourself scrambling to catch up. Thought diversity - the fuel for new ideas, fresh perspectives, and disruptive innovation - is more than a buzzword. It's a survival strategy. And if you’re not building it into your workplace culture right now , you’re heading for trouble.

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How to Overcome the Perils of Caring Deeply

Leadership Freak

'The things you deeply care about make you dangerous and close-minded. Yesterday, I sat beside a coach who said, “I’m a better coach if I don’t care about the topic of a coaching session.” When you care deeply: Something’s “wrong” with those who don’t care. Your methods are “right.” Others need fixed. Impatience replaces patience. […].

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I’m Not Sure I’m Up to the Task

Leadership Freak

'Comfortable jobs equal drifting employees. Everyone in your organization needs to feel stretched in some area. Successful leaders help others step into uncomfortable – stretching – challenges and opportunities. Eventually, you’ll hear, “I’m not sure I’m up to the task.” Helping people grow means making them uncomfortable. It doesn’t matter if you think they are […].

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He Forgot How Much He Mattered

Leadership Freak

'Their faces dropped when Doug walked past the cash registers, around the corner, and out of sight. He carried a breakfast sandwich in his right hand. Moments before he’d said to me, “Look at this.” We were having coffee and chatting in one of his franchise restaurants. My heart sank. It looked fine to me, […].

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Caught in a Rip Current

Leadership Freak

'On the edge of panic, I struggled against the rip current that pushed me away from the sandy beach. My 5’ wife and 6’1” son watched. A wave knocked Dale, my wife, into the surf. She retreated. Mark was rescued by friends, from a rip current, on a previous vacation. Outward flowing ocean water – […].

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Recognition Powers High-Performance — If You Do it Right

Speaker: Radhika Samant and Todd Wuestenberg

Employee recognition has often been deemed a "feel-good" initiative, tied closely to rewards. While we understand its importance, we tend to associate recognition with intangible outcomes like engagement and sentiment, rather than direct impacts on retention and high performance. In today’s workplace, the true ROI of recognition lies in its ability to regenerate tangible, business-driven results.

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How To Be A Better Leader: 70 Tips

Eric Jacobsen Blog

'Back by popular demand. The 70 tips below make for a good list for learning how to become a better leader when you don''t have a lot of time to read books about leadership. And, if you''ve been a leader for a long time, how about taking a few minutes to run through the list and scoring yourself on how well you carry out each leadership skill? 1. Don''t micromanage 2.

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Put People First In The Workplace By Doing These Four Things

Eric Jacobsen Blog

'According to a survey as reported in John Baldoni’s book, Lead with Purpose , more than 80 percent of those surveyed say that leaders can best demonstrate that they truly do put people first by : Delivering intrinsic awards (comp time, bonuses, etc.) Offering developmental opportunities Providing timely recognition Promoting from within.

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7 Ways To Build An Effective Corporate Culture

Eric Jacobsen Blog

'Fortunately, most of my career I’ve worked in effective corporate cultures. If I put together the best of each, here is what made those environments effective: • Leaders led by example on a consistent basis and were willing to roll up their sleeves, particularly during tight deadlines or challenging times. • Employees clearly understood how what they did made a difference and how their contributions made the organization either more profitable or more effective. • The workforce included a blend

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The Seasons of Leadership

Kevin Eikenberry

'The calendar page turns, and the seasons change. While these seasons are more drastic and obvious in some places than others, there are always four seasons. And your experience tells you that the seasons are all needed, different things can be expected, and different value is derived from each season. In the Bible, Ecclesiastes 3 […].

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The Upskilling Advantage: Transforming Your Workforce For Future Growth

Speaker: Brian Richardson

With a staggering 92% of CEOs prioritizing skill development, and 84% struggling with transformation, mastering upskilling is now more critical than ever. Drawing on extensive research and collaboration with hundreds of leading organizations, discover key hurdles and innovative best practices in workforce upskilling. You'll walk away with a deep understanding of how to build a culture of continuous learning, expert insights into assessing the current skills of your employees, and a strategic too