5 Common Characteristics of Successful Boardroom Meetings

There are few places riper for productive discussions, contentious debate, smart decisions as well as disastrous ones than around the boardroom table. In my experiences both as a participant and an observer in various boardroom discussions over the years, I’ve identified the five most common characteristics of successful meetings around the boardroom table. (more…)

If you want to be a good leader you have to realize that it is all about the numbers. Producing the numbers is more important than anything else in business. Most of my clients will be astonished with this point of view. Let me be clear: A leader who cannot produce the numbers will not be successful taking a company into the future. (more…)

What do you borrow from time to time? I’m sure most of us have borrowed money from a bank, a cup of sugar from a neighbor, or a car or phone from a friend. We probably borrow from others more than we realize. It allows us to have access to something we don’t currently possess.

When it comes to leadership, borrowing leadership essentials is a big part of our growth. No leader has it all. We’re used to borrowing skill sets from others on the team, but sometimes we forget to borrow essentials like trust, courage, and confidence. (more…)

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand,
the spines of others are often stiffened.” -Billy Graham

Another great quote tweeted by @KevinMyersPK last week! Have you ever gained courage from someone else’s willingness to take a stand, draw the line, or speak up for what he or she believes in? I certainly have.

For those of us in titled leadership positions, we need to remember that our people are watching what we say, what we do, as well as what we don’t say or do. When we fail to take a stand when we should, we send the message to our team that we don’t believe the issue is worth fighting for or that we value safety and security over our beliefs.

It’s also important to know that you don’t have to be a titled leader to have contagious courage. I’ve been blessed in my past and current career to have teammates working for me who give me great courage.

Is your courage contagious? To your followers, your teammates, or your boss?

Have you ever been in a situation where you knew you had to face something difficult in the near future? I’m not talking about an unexpected, tough situation that just sneaks up on you. I’m taking about something you know is approaching. Each day brings that dreaded event closer. And what if this impending situation would include not only excruciating mental pain, but unimaginable physical pain as well? (more…)

As a parent, I’ve always been interested in who my kids hang out with. Now, as a leader, I find it very interesting to observe who leaders surround themselves with. I’ve found that there are two distinct types of characteristics that we choose to have in our circle of influence.

  • People who make us comfortable.
  • People who make us courageous.

Where you are in life and your quest in what you want to accomplish will determine which of these characteristics you have in your circle of influence. Let me explain. (more…)

There was absolutely no way of missing him. I was going 45 miles an hour up the small mountain road to our cabin when a very large deer decided to join me on the road. This experience taught me the true meaning of the saying, “deer in the headlights.”

I did hit the deer with my car since he stopped to stare at our mesmerizing headlights. My daughter, Jeri, immediately worried about the cute, little, sweet deer, while I wonder how bad the car was dented after we hit this huge monster with fangs. Jeri obviously did not get a good look at this beast, and she also wasn’t the one who had to tell her daddy and call the insurance company. So my story stands with the fanged monster deer that froze in front of my tiny low-beam headlights. (more…)