Staying Calm Under Pressure

I believe we all have a super-power.  Some people are great at empathy, shooting a basketball, data analysis or listening. My super-power is staying calm under pressure.  The secret is perspective, and a few tools like breathing – and I want to take you deeper into it.  I first recognized this as a strength whileContinue reading “Staying Calm Under Pressure”

Start With Why

I have had success accelerating growth of businesses by focusing on their greater why.   I have seen start-up and mature businesses get focused solely on their functional benefits (cheaper, faster, better) to drive growth.  In my experience companies can be infused with greater energy, seek new horizons, enter new markets and add tremendous value whenContinue reading “Start With Why”

Operating on 2 Planes

As a young leader I used 100% of my energy to do my job – I was leading others, being held accountable for cost and quality measures, and learning quickly.  What I came to realize was that a whole other plane of life exists in the workplace – one of coaching, camaraderie, fun, insight andContinue reading “Operating on 2 Planes”

Being One Person

Being One Person I remember catching myself berating someone 20 years my senior, using bad language and raising my voice because they wouldn’t properly sweep up a pile of potato chips.   That is when I realized that I was living a duplicitous life – being one person in one setting and another in a differentContinue reading “Being One Person”

Exit Well

Exiting an Employee There is a right (and wrong) way to exit an employee from a business.  I have personally experienced leaving a company well, with a heartfelt gathering of co-workers saying farewell, telling stories and celebrating my contributions; I have also left a company over a weekend and had my office contents shipped toContinue reading “Exit Well”

Negotiation 101

Negotiation 101 I have negotiated approximately 50 deals in my business career – mergers, acquisitions, exits, license agreements, LLC formations, new market entries and new company launches – in China, Russia, Australia, Brazil, England, Germany, Japan and the US. My first big deal was bringing Ben & Jerry’s and Haagen-Dazs into a shared distribution networkContinue reading “Negotiation 101”

Leading Through Uncertainty

Life Lesson – Leading During Uncertain Times I lead a team of 40, coach eight CEO’s who lead retail service brands, and I have been speaking with hundreds of small business owners through the COVID-19 crisis of 2020. This article shares actions I have taken as a leader during times of great uncertainty. Be aContinue reading “Leading Through Uncertainty”

Running Meetings 101

Meeting Rule Book Meeting are one of the most prevalent activities in today’s organizations; American workers attend 35-50 million meetings each day, some 3 per manager per day, over 5 per day for executives and about 1 per days for everyone else.  They are also among the most maligned and despised activities, in large partContinue reading “Running Meetings 101”

eMails are Forever

Email is forever; three tips for your safety eMails last forever. Just because you press delete, clear your sent message or empty your trash bin on your computer, does not mean that your email is gone.  Most companies, certainly every large firm, saves emails for years – depending on their document retention policies. 5 yearContinue reading “eMails are Forever”

Punchlist vs Email

Punchlist vs eMail – start your day with setting priorities, not reading email Many of us begin our day at our workspace or mobile device by checking email.  Makes sense for a number of reasons – often you are awaiting feedback on previous communication, engaging on a project or getting direction from a superior.  TheContinue reading “Punchlist vs Email”

Key Point Communication

Key Point Communication – make it clear and crisp Purpose: The purpose of this communication is to share a simple trick to ensuring email communication is very clear and crisp Action Required: Read below and begin using this simple technique Background:  The average corporate worker receives more than 122 emails daily*, 2/3 of which theyContinue reading “Key Point Communication”

Leading Through COVID

LESSONS ON LEADING PURPOSEFULLY THROUGH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC I lead a team of 40, coach eight CEO’s who lead retail service brands, and I have been speaking with hundreds of small business owners through the COVID-19 crisis of 2020. This article shares actions I have taken as a leader during times of great uncertainty. 1)     BeContinue reading “Leading Through COVID”

Endurance

As a young business leader, I operated as if speed was the key to success; with age and experience I now believe endurance and excellence in execution are more important than speed.  While speed can give a company first-mover advantage in a new market or with a new product, real value creation, in business and in ourContinue reading “Endurance”