Effective leadership lies in our ability to create action. The leader (CEO, Head Coach, Project Manager, etc.) does this with language. One of the issues in this is that a great deal of the communication learned as children is the antithesis of creating action. We generally acquire a roadblock to action called “NOT.” This “not”and [...]
Let's talk about the power of transformation. For 30 years I have done all I could do to provide a transformational experience for coaches, athletes, executives and their employees. It has been rewarding work and a great ride. However, I think there are some misconceptions that may limit what is possible over the long haul. [...]
I am watching the Army-Navy football game from Philadelphia, PA. The 116th game between these two storied institutions. When I was a kid the game was held in wartime. It was toward the end of World War II and was watched by a nation who needed this moment of pride. Since that time, the Navy [...]
Coaches, your athletes are just like you (only younger and in better shape). I am not saying identical. I am saying they are a reflection of what you bring or don’t bring to the party. They are reacting pro or con, for or against, etc. They are not identical, but neither are identical twins. Therefore, [...]
As we make our journey through life things happen that are out of the realm of our experience. We write them off as weird, strange or certainly not worthy of our attention. How about this idea? They are symptoms of something and it is so big that it needs our full attention. Change is always [...]
The tagline for my book, “The Art of Losing” is as follows; Coaching and Thriving in a Made-for-TV World. It would be difficult to find an activity that isn’t, in some way, influenced by television. Not that anyone cares what I think, I am continually questioning how we have arrived in today’s world with two [...]
Many of the projects in our lives are new ventures from new relationships to new entrepreneurial businesses. What can we do to ensure the success of any activity? I know, there is no guarantee, but we can take some steps that raise the odds of success in our favor. Maybe the most important step is [...]
Contrary to most areas of life, decision-making in the world of sports is a very public conversation. Changing personnel (trading) is one of those decisions at the professional level. Most of the time it looks like doing something for the sake of doing something. Or, trading apples for oranges. I am sure some enterprising person [...]
Many organizations talk about being a team. Very few effectively practice being a team. It is not just about the most talented performers. Every position on the team does not require the same level of talent. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for having as many talented people as I can recruit. But, never [...]
Out in the world, leaders of all kinds of organizations are proposing a change that needs to be made to impact their performance—they want to change the culture. While I agree that this probably is the case I am left with a question. The question is, ”What is the culture you have already?” The newly [...]