I’ve been talking about why and how people stay and leave organizations, so the unique retirement letter outgoing Google CFO Patrick Pichette wrote and posted to Google+ caught my attention. I was particularly struck by this admission: I am completing this summer 25-30 years of nearly non-stop work (depending on how you wish to cut
What risks and challenges will you face in the new year, and how will you respond? Like all of us, my colleague Pat Griffin has been broken several times in his life. The hardest might have been seven years ago when he moved his family from Iowa to Montana to start a consulting practice and
I’m a bit paranoid about work. My internal and external customers have short memories, changing demands and long expectations. That’s why our senior leadership team’s unpublished philosophy is: “We are always six months away from mediocrity.” I’m not trying to be a sky-is-falling pessimist, but if you think that “what got you here will get
“Leadership is an intense journey into yourself.” – Bill Hybels The scene: An auditorium filled with thousands of leaders from around the world, gathered for the 2014 Willow Creek Leadership Summit. We watch as a group of kids with disabilities presents an honest, sometimes heartbreaking video that begins with each answering the question, “What’s hard
Why do we immediately check email when we get up? Or dig our heels into an opinion before sincerely trying to understand another’s point of view? Or set our alarm with just enough time to do what needs to be done before our day begins? Because we rush our swing. I’ve recently discovered that after
Sometimes say softly to yourself: “Now…now. What is happening to me now? This is now.” To live now would be idleness. And because of our fear we have come to think of all idleness as selfish, not as creative and radiant. -Brenda Ueland, If You Want to Write I have a confession to make:
“I love you!” Kari called out to our boys as they got on the school bus recently. “I love you too!” Shelly, the bus driver, yelled back. She was being funny, but Shelly meant it…about every family that puts kids on her bus. She responds to kid’s curiosities, educates around holidays, protects around bullies, anticipates
How do you respond to the big win? If you’re like most of us when you win, you tend to: Look ahead: The win is never enough. There’s always a new challenge around the bend. We look for “what’s next?” Look back: We analyze with the 20/20 clarity of hindsight. We ask ourselves “what can I
Imagine this is your job description: Must interrupt people, usually unsolicited, and try to get them to change or be interested or, most importantly of all, part with their money. Will need to constantly prove yourself, and the people who hold all the cards will often treat you with arrogance in return. To be successful,
I admit to feeling relieved last week after I spoke up in a meeting. I had an opinion on the topic and I wanted to add value, be a leader and improve my credibility. The dialogue moved quickly. I had to act fast, be clear and be compelling. Anxiety was building as I considered this
Matt Norman is president of Norman & Associates, which offers Dale Carnegie Training in the North Central US. Dale Carnegie Training is a global organization ...READ MORE