June 15th, 2020 by AdvisorCatalyst
VUCA – Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous. Does this resonate? This term has been used for decades to describe the environment in which all organizations operate, but for many leaders it’s possibly never been more true than during the last 90 days. These circumstances have been physically and emotionally demanding – leaders have been stress-tested.
Yet, as leaders I know and interact with, you are leading strongly; you are passing the test. You are:
• making timely adjustments.
• focusing on the people under your care.
• keeping your teams connected and effective.
Great job – you are doing important work! Thank you!
“True leadership stems from individuality that is honest and sometimes imperfectly expressed…Leaders should strive for authenticity over perfection.” Sheryl Sandberg
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May 1st, 2020 by AdvisorCatalyst
Some trends move slowly and then, BANG, a significant event radically shifts the arc of the curve. A “new” reality emerges as people quickly adjust their decision and behavior paths in response to the major event. Surprisingly, it is easy to get caught off guard with the accelerated trend shift even when the underlying change was happening for years. We became comfortable with the “old” rate of change and assumed it in our plans. Now we must assume the old change rate is gone. Are you examining existing trends for accelerated shifts to help your organization adjust to the new?
“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – it is to act with yesterday’s logic.”
Peter Drucker
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March 16th, 2020 by AdvisorCatalyst
The current COVID-19 health crisis has people, homes, communities and organizations managing inside a vortex of change. Government restrictions have mandated restrictions by some organizations which in turn are rippling out and negatively impacting most organizations.
In this environment of accelerated change, I hope you can focus on remaining:
• Bold – Clearly lead.
• Healthy – Stress takes an extra physical and mental toll so maintain disciplines that will keep you healthy.
• Genuine – It is okay to not have all the answers.
• Human – Be gracious; realize changes are cascading rapidly, and sometimes severely, into people’s lives.
• Positive – People will feed off your energy.
“Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.” Publius Syrus
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January 31st, 2020 by AdvisorCatalyst
It’s wonderful to begin a new year with a fresh plan! We enjoy the feeling of getting our organizational and personal goals identified. But,… the process is work. We must understand the market, research opportunities, and then debate which objectives should be priority.
Why do we go to this effort? The answer centers around three ways we, as human beings, are designed. We have:
• A natural excitement for the future.
• The capacity to think and plan.
• The desire to shape the elements around us to realize potential.
In short, we make plans to have an impact and shape our future.
“While I take inspiration from the past, like most Americans, I live for the future.” Ronald Reagan
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December 16th, 2019 by AdvisorCatalyst
Leaders have a strong desire to positively impact people in their sphere of influence – our big objective is to make a difference. So, we get busy tackling a list of actions we believe will move the needle. As we kick into “get things done” gear it is easy to forget a simple action that can help us accomplish our big objective – simply smile!
Yes, a genuine smile is a universal sign of goodwill that brings the human factor into any situation. It invites other people to engage with us in our big objective of making the world a better place.
“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” Mother Teresa
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November 1st, 2019 by AdvisorCatalyst
Do you notice how some organizations are so charged with positive energy you want to bottle it to take with you? Those environments are created by leaders who are energy providers. They have learned energy has a multiplier effect – it unleashes pent up productive and creative capacities in people around them.
We likely over-value coaching on technical mechanics and under-value providing encouragement and excitement. Can it be that simple? If so, it’s worth knowing what refreshes, excites and charges you up as a leader. Schedule time for those activities so you can power up and bring positive energy.
“If a leader doesn’t convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they’ll start to fall down and get depressed.” Colin Powell
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September 16th, 2019 by AdvisorCatalyst
How do you rate a leadership team’s strategic ability? One thought – look at the team’s ability to iterate strategically without lurching wildly in different directions. Can the team adapt the organization’s strategy to produce more than one economically successful business model over time? Time, in this case, is a decade plus. Success for that duration typically involves at least one business model shift when you consider changing customer preferences, technological advancements and competitive forces.
On this course, teams will need to master two key elements:
• strategy thinking – both the creative and analytical aspects, and
• execution – consistent, disciplined action over time.
“There is another old poet whose name I do not now remember who said, ‘Truth is the daughter of Time.’” Abraham Lincoln
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August 1st, 2019 by AdvisorCatalyst
Operational success runs down the Road of Routines. Leaders strive for consistent execution while avoiding two ditches.
The Ditch of Boredom – the numb, drained feeling from efforts to keep staff working good disciplines consistently. Leaders may pursue new ideas simply as an escape. The organization careens from one new idea to another.
The Ditch of Process Lock – the pull to become too comfortable and never change processes. People may begin idolizing the process itself. The organization slides into complexity and bureaucracy.
Staying out of the ditches allows leaders to enjoy both the journey and destination on the Road of Routines.
“For every mile of road there are two miles of ditches.” Irish Proverb
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June 14th, 2019 by AdvisorCatalyst
Humility is not required to be successful. There are plenty of conceited, boastful people who enjoy career and financial success. Conversely, people with humility sometimes struggle. The idea that humility has benefits over pride is an axiomatic truth (more probable) rather than an absolute law (like gravity). Arrogance increases the chances a leader:
• makes a blunder by ignoring key decision factors or sound advice,
• experiences resistance to their plans, or
• develops a closed mindset.
Humility usually makes it is easier for a leader to keep an open, receptive mindset – toward people, ideas, and opportunities. Consider the value this could yield.
“Humility will open more doors than arrogance ever will.” Zig Ziglar
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May 1st, 2019 by AdvisorCatalyst
Visualize a swarm of insects or birds in nature moving en masse then descending on and devouring a food source with shocking speed. They completely overwhelm the present condition.
This is the mental picture for how your team should tackle top priorities. Swarm – fully activate and intensely concentrate people and resources to overwhelm the obstacles to accomplishing the objective. Such singular passion and effort will create enough energy to break the inertia of the present condition. Conversely, chipping away at the priority with too few resources applied too late will leave you short. Swarm early and descend on the priority.
“It is not always what we know or analyzed before we make a decision that makes it a great decision. It is what we do after we make the decision to implement and execute it that makes it a good decision.” William Pollard
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