Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 6, 2012
Wisdom is about behavior not intelligence. Wisdom is practical not theoretical; skillful not academic. Wisdom gets things done. Fools sit and talk while the wise move out. I’m not suggestion it’s foolish to explore options and discuss plans. I’m saying wise leaders add more value than foolish. On the other hand, foolish leaders don’t talk [.].
Kevin Eikenberry
DECEMBER 31, 2012
It happens at this time of the year, every year. As the New Year arrives, people talk about making resolutions. In fact, the ritual of making promises or resolutions at the start of the New Year goes back as far as the Babylonians, and can be found in nearly every part of the world, in [.].
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Eric Jacobsen Blog
DECEMBER 9, 2012
Two years ago, Lynn Flinn of EWF International in Tulsa, OK wrote the following in her business' newsletter. It's so powerful I wanted to bring it back again this year as 2012 comes to a close. So, here goes.Lynn's year-end advice for leaders: • Do something that you are afraid to do. Run through the fear rather than running away from it. • Take a personal risk.
Tanveer Nasser
DECEMBER 4, 2012
How can leaders be attentive to those they serve when their time is becoming increasingly fragmented and demands on it growing? How can recognizing the efforts of our employees lead to a sense of purpose and community and with it, a drive towards achieving excellence? These are a few of the topics I discuss with retired CEO and renowned leadership expert Doug Conant in the 10th episode of my leadership podcast show, “Leadership Biz Cafe”.
Speaker: Liz Charron
From evolving legislation to shifting workforce expectations, background screening is undergoing major transformation and HR is in the driver’s seat. With new compliance requirements and growing scrutiny, today’s HR leaders must build programs that are not only audit-ready, but outcome-driven. HR Management and Employee Relations Expert, Liz Charron, will delve into how HR teams can navigate the latest legal changes, connect screening to workforce ROI, and embed these practices into the very fab
CMCrossroads
DECEMBER 18, 2012
Chris Riley writes that when an organization is considering the cloud, it has to consider its approach as well. The cloud was built on the principles of initiating things fast, and only what you need when you need it. The cloud was not built for people who follow the mantras of “set it and forget it” and “plan for everything ahead of time.
Harvard Business Review
DECEMBER 7, 2012
If there's been one topic that has entirely dominated the post-election landscape, it's the fiscal cliff. Will taxes be raised? Which programs will be cut? Who will blink first in negotiations? For all the talk of the fiscal cliff, however, I believe the US is facing a much more serious problem, one that has simply not been talked about at all: corruption.
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Kevin Eikenberry
DECEMBER 3, 2012
Thomas Edison was a great inventor. But Thomas Edison was a greater salesperson. He and his team may have invented the electric light bulb, but without the support and resources (read investment) of others, that idea wouldn’t have moved forward from his team. The idea looks obvious now, but all successful new ideas look good [.].
Eric Jacobsen Blog
DECEMBER 16, 2012
I recommend that all leaders every so often read the What Will Matter poem by Michael Josephson. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of unselfishly serving and leading with character. I've highlighted in bold and in color my favorite parts of the poem: Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 31, 2012
I usually sleep the New Year in and watch the ball drop on the news. New Year’s Eve is an imaginary line in the sand but, I must confess, its power is real. New Year’s inspires us to begin again. Step into the future or settle for the past. Three keys to courageously begin again: [.].
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 15, 2012
There is no making sense of the tragedy at Sandy Hook or other past, present, and future tragedies. Reasons help but they don’t make sense of something. It helps to say the gunman was on drugs or crazy, but only a little. Job, the oldest book in the Christian Bible, confronts human tragedy. At one [.].
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
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 27, 2012
The former CEO of Southwest Airlines, Jim Parker, told me, “Don’t set artificial goals for yourself.” Begin with noble ends: Leadership is about people. Set people goals. Production and profitability are useful and necessary but never enough. Increasing profits by 6% is important but not noble. Two questions beyond artificial: How do you want to [.].
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 12, 2012
Talking about stress is stressful. It’s one more problem to solve. But, ignoring it never resolves it. Stress builds up. Disproportionate reactions indicate stress build-up. Mary says, “Would you mind handing me that pencil?” Bob responds in anger, “You’re always asking for something. Get it yourself!” “Sheesh!” Over 50% of the workforce feels: Overwhelmed by [.].
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 17, 2012
Sinking inward drags down during tough times. Weak leaders focus on themselves; tough leaders focus on others. Sinking inward indicates weakness. Moving forward with tenderness is tough. Weak leaders act tough during tough times but tough leaders remain focused, calm, and steady. First, remain focused on others: Ask about their world and forget yours.
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 14, 2012
There are two types of people in the world, dreamers and doers. Lazy dreamers are useless. Avoid them. The way to matter is doing what matters. Dreamless doers are anchors. Reject them. The way to matter is pursing dreams. Dreamers: Look down on doers. They’re narrow. Define ideas. Start things. Plan. Dreamers – Oh! Look [.].
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.
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 4, 2012
Innovative leaders wrongly resist patterns. They fear repetition constricts and bores. “Don’t fence me in.” However, rituals set leaders free. Think of rituals as tiny behaviors that yield disproportionate benefits. One of mine is rising early and placing my fingers on the keyboard. It’s 3:44 a.m. as I type this. I wasn’t sure what would come out [.].
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 26, 2012
All leaders want what they don’t have. Wrong wanting frustrates. Right wanting motivates. Why leaders don’t get what they want? Failure to name it. You never achieve what you don’t name. Fear prevents leaders from saying what they really want. Neglecting the team. Too much time spent focused on reaching goals not enough focused on [.].
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 28, 2012
The past is the future for most. Persistence and endurance assure continuity. But, more of the same won’t birth new futures. Looking back and holding on stagnates, solidifies, and congeals life like cold bacon grease. 99% of the conversations I have about the future are actually about the past. Creating the future is recreating “glory [.].
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 11, 2012
My friends complain, “I waved but you didn’t wave back.” Or, “I spoke but you didn’t hear me.” Ever walk down the hall and not make eye contact with employees? If you’re oblivious, you’re oblivious. Second-rate leaders sink into their own world, ignore environments, get lost in thought, and neglect personal contact. First-rate leaders hold up their heads, rise [.].
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
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 16, 2012
There’s little hope for know-it-all leaders. Too many leaders flap their tongues while their ears nap and their brains slumber. When was the last time you asked, “Tell me what you think?” Perhaps, by the time you’re done telling what you think, there’s no time for asking what they think. Your open mouth closes the [.].
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 13, 2012
Everyone lies every day. “How are you feeling?” “Just fine,” you reply. Actually, you feel terrible but don’t want to talk about it. You lie. Leaders are tempted to lie when __: Under-performers need encouragement. Telling the truth reveals weaknesses or failure. Reputation is at stake, theirs or others. Insecurity wins. Hiding problems feels easier than [.].
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 3, 2012
Great results require toughness. The belief that compassion is soft and toughness gets results explains why so little compassion exists in organizations. I’m an either/or type person, it’s my nature. I wrongly believe combining contrasting qualities weakens both. But, toughness and compassion are perfect bedfellows. Bullies aren’t strong and compassionate leaders aren’t weak.
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 24, 2012
Hate your work environment? Build rather than tear down. Whining reinforces negative environments. Celebrations build and reinforce positive environments. Celebrations create culture. Sadly, short-sighted leaders are stingy with positives and free with negatives. All they talk about is: What went wrong? What needs to be fixed? What fell short? Negative celebrations build negative environments.
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.
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 22, 2012
Tell me the last time you didn’t step in to help. I know you love talking about everything you do. What you aren’t doing matters, too. Restraint represents one of leadership’s great challenges. Success includes pulling back. Stepping in frustrates talent. Fixing de-motivates. Solving insults. Unrestrained leaders don’t help, they get in the way.
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 21, 2012
The reason you feel what you feel is you. Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville – did not. The Grinch hated Christmas – the whole Christmas season. Now, please don’t ask why; no one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps, that [.].
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 5, 2012
You’re one decision from screwing up during turbulence. Reacting makes you look like a fool, eventually. Wise leaders respond to turbulence; fools react. Reactions are passionate but uninformed. How many times have decisions outrun information? Ouch! That hurts. Successful leaders respond; failures react. “Make it go away,” reflects self-serving reaction.
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 20, 2012
Most talk; few act. Rooms go silent when someone asks, “What’s next?” Dreaming, thinking, and talking aren’t doing. Leaders do; dreamers talk. Talking: Feels like doing even when nothing’s done. Feeds weak egos and small minds. Slows progress. Creates imagined problems that waste time, drain energy, and distract focus. Nothing happens till you take the first step.
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.
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 29, 2012
Step away. Let the players play. The meeting after the meeting: The meeting went long because we were finalizing things. It’s understandable, but I’m committed to short rather than long. After the meeting, I quickly walked out and engaged another leader for a moment. Everyone else remained in the room. Stepping back in, several huddles [.].
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 10, 2012
Many talk about excellence because it’s the thing to do. Others dance on the high edge of average unwilling to take the leap. Excellence shimmers like a mirage teasing in the distance. Good is acceptable because excellence frustrates. The pursuit of excellence means today’s best is tomorrow’s average. Can you live with that? One simple path: [.].
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 25, 2012
It doesn’t matter, skeptic, doubter, or believer, the Christmas Story contains useful leadership lessons. Connect: Leaders connect. Who can’t connect with a baby? If leadership is all about people then connecting is essential. When I asked Henry Mintzberg for his favorite word of advice, he said one word, “Connect.” Vulnerability: Vulnerability is dangerous but necessary to connect. [.].
Leadership Freak
DECEMBER 8, 2012
New bosses are troubling when the old one was great. You loved the old boss. So what? It doesn’t matter. Resist the new to your own peril. Comparing the new with the old is self-defeating. Keep preferences for the old boss to yourself, always. What if you disagree? The way you express your viewpoint matters more than your viewpoint. Disagree [.].
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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