These are regularly updated feeds from several websites and blogs about leadership

  • Leading Thoughts for March 14, 2024
    by Michael McKinney on March 14, 2024 at 4:13 pm

    IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Jason Jennings on having a clear destination: “Not having a clear destination means never knowing the steps you need to take to get to where you want to go, never knowing if you’ve arrived or if you’ve achieved what you set out to accomplish. But if you have your destination in sight, those things that need to be reinvented will become obvious.” Source: The Reinventors: How Extraordinary Companies Pursue Radical Continuous Change II. Alan Weiss on how powerlessness corrupts: “Psychologically, people cannot comfortably live with the perception that they are powerless. So they make it up. That’s right, they create artificial power. And there is a name for that: bureaucracy. Bureaucracy is the triumph of means over ends.” Source: Thrive! Stop Wishing Your Life Away * * * Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index. * * * Like us on Instagram and Facebook for additional leadership and personal development ideas.  …

  • 9 Tips for Navigating the Inevitable Unexpected
    by Michael McKinney on March 13, 2024 at 2:52 am

    ALL COMPANIES begin with a vision. Individuals or partners develop a plan and iterate as new information arises. It takes an enormous amount of their time, forces them to commit, and requires some degree of funding. If sophisticated investors are involved — as often happens in biotech — the plan is undoubtedly subjected to intensive due diligence. Models are developed, scrutinized, and refined. Given that the global biotechnology market was valued at USD 1.55 trillion in 2023 and is projected to grow nearly 14% a year in the next 6 years, that’s understandable: there’s a lot at stake. All of this hard work usually involves smart people with significant experience. But that’s not always enough: some 90 percent of startups do not survive past five years, and 63% of tech startups are doomed to failure. Some fail for a host of strategic or operational shortcomings addressed in any decent business school course. Others fail because no matter their degree of planning or vetting, they are unable to adequately address unexpected events in those moments of truth when they occur. I call these inevitable unexpected events — inevitable because they occur with relatively high frequency. They’re things you never saw coming and you never planned for. No one can predict what they may be or when they may occur, but it’s nearly guaranteed that you will encounter them. Over the course of five years, these events will occur frequently enough that your ability to address them will likely determine whether…

  • What Is Different About Ethical Leadership?
    by Michael McKinney on March 8, 2024 at 5:00 pm

    ADHERING to an ethical code during challenging times is a standout trait in many historical and present-day leaders that we’ve come to admire. Certain principals cut across the lives of such leaders as they transcend traditional leadership roles and prioritize the well-being of the communities, economies, and global society they serve. Ethical leaders embody a respect for the sanctity of each individual, regardless of culture, country, race, or religion. They have a strong orientation toward justice and fairness. While circumstances vary, their belief that everyone is entitled to the same basic dignity and rights remains a driving force for action. They have an underlying moral courage even when going against great odds. People follow them precisely because of the moral heroism they convey. Consider, for example, these leaders: Nelson Mandela – Beginning in his 20s, Mandela led a peaceful, nonviolent movement for civil rights in South Africa, for which he was imprisoned for 27 years. He was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his efforts to dismantle apartheid and later became the country’s first Black president. Hamdi Ulukaya – Ulukaya immigrated to the U.S. from Turkey to escape the mistreatment of Kurds. As founder and CEO of Chobani, a top-selling yogurt company, he “operates on a simple fundamental principle, that we do well by doing good.” He has given his employees 10 percent of the company and has donated millions to fight food insecurity, while ensuring 30 percent of his workforce are immigrants and refugees. Whether leading…

  • Leading Thoughts for March 7, 2024
    by Michael McKinney on March 7, 2024 at 7:35 pm

    IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Umberto Eco on leading by example: “I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.” Source: Foucault’s Pendulum II. Jenifer Goldman-Wetzler on using our emotions to break our conflict habits: “Putting your emotions to work for you does not involve tamping them down, getting rid of them, or scrutinizing why you feel the way you feel. Instead, it includes identifying, acknowledging, and using your emotions as a catalyst for constructive, pattern-breaking action. You simply cannot free yourself from the conflict loop if you are unable to use your own emotions toward constructive change.” Source: Optimal Outcomes: Free Yourself from Conflict at Work, at Home, and in Life / Blog Post * * * Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index. * * * Like us on Instagram and Facebook for additional leadership and personal development ideas.  …

  • Fueling Innovation: How Microsoft Finally Got It Right
    by Michael McKinney on March 4, 2024 at 5:37 pm

    WE OFTEN THINK of innovation as something visionaries draw out of thin air, like manna from heaven. That’s a myth. Often, and especially in contemporary times, the real story of innovation doesn’t involve lone geniuses or flashes of inspiration, but teams, organizations, and leaders who cultivate systems and cultures where new ideas can sprout and flourish. Here’s an innovation story that’s closer to reality: It’s a story of loss, grit, and renewal. It’s about a wildly successful company that went off course. It’s also about a never-too-late approach to innovation that enabled a floundering business to launch a second golden age. You know this company. It has more subscribers than Netflix and Amazon combined. Its profit margin is higher than Google’s. Its market cap is over $2 trillion. Chances are, you’re one of a billion people that use its flagship software. We’re talking about Microsoft. Back in the mid-2000s, Microsoft was in trouble. Not only was the U.S. government scrutinizing it for monopolistic practices, but the company was also coming under fierce attack for investing in its archrival, Apple. Even more alarming, almost every new business it launched failed: e-books, mobile phones, search engines, music; it was one dramatic dud after another. Inside the company, morale was at an all-time low. Long-timers and new hires alike were deeply disillusioned by a caustic culture that was quick to assign blame and pitted employee against employee. With few wins in the ledger, the best and the brightest started to leave. For…

  • First Look: Leadership Books for March 2024
    by Michael McKinney on March 1, 2024 at 5:34 pm

    HERE’S A LOOK at some of the best leadership books to be released in March 2024 curated just for you. Be sure to check out the other great titles being offered this month. Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport Our current definition of “productivity” is broken. It pushes us to treat busyness as a proxy for useful effort, leading to impossibly lengthy task lists and ceaseless meetings. We’re overwhelmed by all we have to do and on the edge of burnout, left to decide between giving into soul-sapping hustle culture or rejecting ambition altogether. But are these really our only choices? From the aggressive rethinking of workload management, to introducing seasonal variation, to shifting your performance toward long-term quality, Slow Productivity provides a roadmap for escaping overload and arriving instead at a more timeless approach to pursuing meaningful accomplishment. The world of work is due for a new revolution. Slow productivity is exactly what we need. Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference by Guy Kawasaki with Madisun Nuismer In Think Remarkable, tech titan Guy Kawasaki teams up with Madisun Nuismer, producer of the Remarkable People podcast, to share invaluable knowledge from more than 40 years of working with game-changing organizations such as Apple, Canva, Google, Mercedes Benz, and Wikipedia, and delivers insights from a collection of amazing interviews that’ll kick you into high gear and get you ready to start showing the world your best, most amazing…

  • Leading Thoughts for February 29, 2024
    by Michael McKinney on February 29, 2024 at 11:41 pm

    IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Kevin Roberts on the nature of leadership: “Where should people start with “leadership” in a VUCA world? Leadership is both art and science. There are all kinds of leadership. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach. But the essence of leadership doesn’t change. In the last 50 years, production, distribution, and communication have been reset by technology. Leadership hasn’t changed much in 5,000 years. Technology doesn’t alter leadership. It lets leaders reach more people, quicker, more emotionally—that’s all. Leadership resists change because it’s about human nature. Leaders take people to a better place.” Source: 64 Shots: Leadership in a Crazy World II. Douglas Rushkoff on swallowing the storyteller’s pill to experience relief: “If a storyteller wants us to believe in a religion, then his god will be responsible for our relief. If he wants us to believe in a politician or product, then one of these will be the solution.” Source: Get Back in the Box: Innovation from the Inside Out * * * Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index. * * * Like us on Instagram and Facebook for additional leadership and personal development ideas.  …

  • LeadershipNow 140: February 2024 Compilation
    by Michael McKinney on February 29, 2024 at 4:05 pm

    Here is a selection of Posts from February 2024 that you will want to check out: Using Stories To Heal Ourselves from @JohnBaldoni Reaching for the Executive Ranks? Part Two—Cultivating Executive Presence by @artpetty 7 Things Senior Leaders Must Have To Be Successful by @RonEdmondson CEO Coaching: How to Ruin Your Company by Avoiding Conflict by @toddordal PODCAST: @jamesstrock with @BennSteil author of The World That Wasn’t: Henry Wallace and The Fate of The American Century The Power of Clarity: How an Expectations List Enhances Managerial Effectiveness by @JenniferVMiller The Keys to Productivity for Creative People by @PhilCooke A Secret I Learned That Determines My Level of Hope by @TimElmore Could Remote Work Hurt On-the-Job Learning? via @KelloggSchool Bring people together so they can exchange ideas in person Jennifer Ouyang Altman (@helloinnerradio) on "Empty Questions" via @edbatista Democratizing Soft Skills Development – One Prompt at a Time by @Julie_WG Five Big Ideas to Help Get New Manager Development Right by @artpetty Write drunk. Edit Sober. by @wallybock Inspiring Tips to Celebrate #NationalLeadershipDay! Interview with @erikaandersen by @DebbieLaskeyMBA Kennan Thompson: Lessons In Doing Your Best from @JohnBaldoni How to Become Insanely Well-Connected via @firstround The Multi-Tasking Myth and 4 Tips To Help You Focus by @LaRaeQuy Why we’re failing our emerging leaders – and what we can do about it by @suzimcalpine Just Another Attempt by @AlanSteinJr How to Change Your Life In 30 Days by @SahilBloom The Lifelong Impact of a Book by @wallybock Our Konstantin Chernenko Moment? by…

  • Elon Musk by Walter Isaascson
    by Michael McKinney on February 26, 2024 at 9:30 pm

    LOVE HIM or hate him, Elon Musk is not easily dismissed. While there is genius in his high-tech visions, some of his opinions and antics leave some people disturbed if for no other reason than they don’t align with their own. Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk is full of revealing, behind-the-scenes anecdotes that provide insight into why Musk does what he does and why he does it that way. Even though Musk’s approach doesn’t necessarily provide a blueprint to be copied any more than Steve Jobs’ approach did (even though both individuals got results), it does offer lessons to be learned and applied in our own leadership. Musk remarked on Saturday Night Live in May of 2021, “To anyone I’ve offended, I just want to say, I reinvented electric cars and I’m sending people to Mars in a rocket ship. Did you think I was also going to be a chill normal dude?” Below, you will find some excerpts that give you a taste of what you will find in Isaacson’s Elon Musk. Growing up: “With a childhood like his in South Africa, I think you have to shut yourself down emotionally in some ways,” says his first wife, Justine, the mother of five of his surviving ten children. “If your father is always calling you a moron and idiot, maybe the only response is to turn off anything inside that would’ve opened up an emotional dimension that he didn’t have tools to deal with.” This emotional shutoff…

  • Empathy: The Top Leadership Skill for Today’s Work Environment
    by Michael McKinney on February 23, 2024 at 4:41 pm

    AS workplace cultures evolve, we must specifically prioritize the needs of each human being. An empathetic approach to organizational culture has been proven to have positive business outcomes. Recently, a large study ranked empathy as the most important leadership skill in the workplace. Empathy has been shown to drive positive business results and has numerous therapeutic effects on stressed employees. When leaders expressed empathy for their team, it increased a team’s innovation and engagement, improved customer service, and helped them balance their home and work life. British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson said, “Understanding empathy, as well as the experiences of people from different areas of life, is a key skill for business leaders.” With similar conviction, Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, said, “Empathy makes you a better innovator. …It’s a quality my wife helped me begin to learn when our son was born with severe disabilities. It’s a quality that shapes our quest to meet unmet needs of customers. And…it helps us as a society move forward in creating new opportunities for all.” To further document empathy’s advantages at work, the Global Empathy Index, published in the Harvard Business Review, examined data from employee’s responses to questions ranging from a CEO’s approval ranking to their own happiness level in their job. Researchers found that empathic companies are the most profitable and are associated with increased employee earnings and gratification as well as customer satisfaction. The appeal of empathic leadership extends beyond conventional office environments. Former Navy SEAL commander Mark…

  • Leading Thoughts for February 22, 2024
    by Michael McKinney on February 22, 2024 at 4:28 pm

    IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Christina Maslach and Michael P. Leiter on the source of burnout: “We believe burnout is the result of a mismatch between employee and workplace. Burnout is best conceptualized as a relationship problem—an issue with the fit, or match, between the person and the job. When there is a good match, the worker is likely to be engaged with the job and happy, energetic, confident, and ready to commit to a productive long-term relationship. But when there is a mismatch, the employee is more likely unhappy, exhausted, and cynical. A person in this situation may be unwilling to do more than the bare minimum, and ready to quit the relationship and leave for another job. In short, a worker experiencing a major mismatch is likely to experience burnout.” Source: The Burnout Challenge: Managing People’s Relationships with Their Jobs II. Professor Moshik Temkin asks if you would fight back against a fascist power? “We should not ascribe everything that happened in Vichy France to ideology or anti-Semitism. Probably a much more important reason for why certain French citizens acted the way they did was one of the strongest human desires—the desire for normality, which often just equates to conformity. The ideal scenario in 1940, at least for those who were able to, was to abide by the new status quo in an effort to keep life…

  • Steve Jobs: The Dynamics of An Excellent Team
    by Michael McKinney on February 19, 2024 at 5:17 pm

    IN this interview, Jobs explains the dynamics of a team that pushes to excel—to be above average—excellent. There are some team leaders who would argue that a great team is all smiles and agreement. But that only produces stasis or marginal improvement at best. It’s groupthink. A productive team that pulls the best thinking from all members encourages the friction we need to grow into something transformative. What follows is a lightly edited portion of Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview, released in 2012, explaining what is required from a team to achieve excellence. One of the things that really hurt Apple was after I left, John Sculley got a very serious disease, and that disease I’ve seen other people get it, too. It’s the disease of thinking that a really great idea is 90% of the work and that if you just tell all these other people, “Here is this great idea,” then, of course, they can go off and make it happen. And the problem with that is that there is just a tremendous amount of craftsmanship in between a great idea and a great product. And as you evolve that great idea, it changes and grows. It never comes out like it starts because you learn a lot more as you get into the subtleties of it, and you also find there are tremendous tradeoffs that you have to make. There are just certain things you can’t make electrons do. There are certain things you can’t make…

  • quickpoint: What Middle Managers Do
    by Michael McKinney on February 16, 2024 at 5:38 pm

    IN Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work, authors Bill Schaninger, Bryan Hancock, and Emily Field contend that middle managers are crucial to the new world of work. What middle managers do is actually much more complex than what either executives or frontline workers do: They manage both up and down, and serve as translators in both directions. What kind of qualities and skills does the job require? Emotional intelligence, resilience, adaptability, technical skills, critical thinking, communication skills, being open to change, seeing the big picture, and managing both full-time and contract/gig workers. Everything they do deeply affects the work, the workforce, and the workplace. For those who remained in the workforce, the pandemic made the above abundantly clear. At first, some senior leaders thought they could make all the big decisions on how things should run, but they were wrong. They came to realize that they needed middle managers more than ever. The people in the middle were the only ones who could connect the big goals at the top with the details at the bottom, and do so quickly. Middle managers are the vital link between senior leaders and those on the frontline. They are in an ideal place to see how an organization’s purpose, strategy, and culture are trickling down into the organization and whether they’re actually working. They can inform all three in return. Managers are also the most important guides needed to help teams and organizations navigate…

  • Leading Thoughts for February 15, 2024
    by Michael McKinney on February 15, 2024 at 10:24 pm

    IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Talia Fox on listening: “Many of us remain confident in our ability to listen, insisting that we’ve been doing so all our lives. We believe we should focus our leadership efforts on other, less common skills, gravitating to things that seem newer and more innovative. Listening is the single most important way to improve our relationships, build community, and achieve our goals. Conscious and connected listening is more complex than it may seem—often, when we think we’re listening, we’re actually just waiting for the chance to share the voices in our heads. The difference is crucial—and it changes everything.” Source: The Power of Conscious Connection: 4 Habits to Transform How You Live and Lead II. Chris Deaver and Ian Clawson on leading with questions: “If you want to focus on improving relationships, lead with a question. Instead of “How are you doing?” try asking, “What’s something exciting You‘re working on?” or “What do you recommend we do?” Watch people smile and light up when they feel connected. Next time you see someone is struggling, ask, “What’s on your mind?” This could make the difference in their day. It could free up their emotional constraints, even if just for a moment.” Source: Brave Together: Lead by Design, Spark Creativity, and Shape the Future with the Power of Co-Creation * * * Look for these ideas…

  • 5 Leadership Lessons: The Pursuit of Excellence
    by Michael McKinney on February 12, 2024 at 6:05 pm

    RYAN HAWK has interviewed hundreds of leaders on his podcast The Learning Leader Show. He has collected their wisdom in The Pursuit of Excellence: The Uncommon Behaviors of the World’s Most Productive Achievers. It is filled with practical thoughts and behaviors that will make you think and potentially set you on a path to sustained growth. Here are just five ideas he shares from those on his podcast:   Success is based on a comparison with others. Excellence is measured against your own potential.   The worst advice given to young people is follow your passion. Your job is to find something you’re good at. And then spend thousands of hours and apply the grit and the sacrifice and the willingness to break through hard things to become great at it. Because once you’re great at something, the economic accouterments of being great at something, the prestige, the relevance, the camaraderie, the self-worth of being great … will make you passionate about whatever it is. Here’s the problem with believing you should follow your passion: Work is hard. And when you run into obstacles and you face injustice, which is a common guaranteed attribute of the workplace, you’ll start thinking, “I’m not loving this. This is upsetting and hard. It must not be my passion.” That is not the right litmus test.   New goals don’t deliver new results. New lifestyles do. And a lifestyle is not an outcome. It is a process.   The best leaders know how…

  • The Pruning Principle
    by Nick Jaworski on October 17, 2022 at 7:00 am

    Botanists will tell you to have a vision for how you want a plant to look before you start pruning it. The same is true for your life and your business. Whether you’re talking about programs, processes, personal commitments, or even people – over time, they all tend to accumulate. You simply end up with more of everything. However, overgrowth impedes your ability to scale yourself and your business. In order to grow, you’re going to have to prune. Continue reading The Pruning Principle at Full Focus.

  • 6 Essential Ingredients for Effective Strategic Planning
    by Nick Jaworski on September 20, 2022 at 7:00 am

    It’s that time of year again. The weather is changing, leaves are falling off the trees, and your favorite leadership podcast is talking about Strategic Planning again. If there’s one thing that humans do well, it’s imagining the future. (We can do it badly, too, of course.) But the important thing is that we can create better outcomes for ourselves and our businesses when we do it intentionally. That’s where Strategic Planning comes in. Continue reading 6 Essential Ingredients for Effective Strategic Planning at Full Focus.

  • How to Avoid Quiet Quitting in Your Business
    by Michael and Megan on September 13, 2022 at 7:00 am

    “Quiet quitting” seems to be the hot topic of conversation in business and leadership circles right now. But what exactly is “quiet quitting”? How can you figure out if your employees are doing it? And, perhaps most importantly, how can you create an organizational culture where your team members will feel empowered in their job?   Continue reading How to Avoid Quiet Quitting in Your Business at Full Focus.

  • 5 Mistakes Business Owners Make When Hiring an Assistant
    by Michael Hyatt on September 6, 2022 at 7:00 am

    You spend your days managing details, scheduling meetings, and replying to emails — by the time you start on the “real work,” the workday is half over. This ends up cutting into your personal life as you try to make up for lost time. It all leads to you feeling more tired, more stressed, and less productive at work and at home. If you heed our advice, you can minimize this pain. The advice is simple: hire an executive assistant! Continue reading 5 Mistakes Business Owners Make When Hiring an Assistant at Full Focus.

  • 4 Ingredients for a Thriving Company Culture
    by Michael and Megan on August 30, 2022 at 7:00 am

    Last week we talked about the importance of a thriving company culture. Hopefully, Michael and Megan made the case that a company culture is both important and the responsibility of the leader. We’re going to continue that conversation by talking about how businesses can actually cultivate a thriving company culture – no matter where they’re starting from.   Continue reading 4 Ingredients for a Thriving Company Culture at Full Focus.

  • Why a Thriving Culture Is Essential
    by Michael Hyatt on August 23, 2022 at 7:00 am

    Anywhere you find a group of people, you’ll find a culture. That’s true for families, churches, cities, neighborhoods, and anything else you can think of that includes more than one person. This idea is especially true for businesses. Leaders need to have a vision for how they want their culture to look and feel. If they don’t, they could find themselves surrounded by a toxic culture that not only hurts business but makes everyone miserable. Continue reading Why a Thriving Culture Is Essential at Full Focus.

  • How to Maximize the Market Value of Your Business in 8 Steps
    by Michael and Megan on August 16, 2022 at 7:00 am

    Your business is probably the largest single asset in your portfolio. You’ve invested time and money, and, one day, you may want to see a healthy return on those investments. If you want to maximize the value of your business, then you should start making plans today. Continue reading How to Maximize the Market Value of Your Business in 8 Steps at Full Focus.

  • What Makes Good Coaching Great
    by Michael Hyatt on August 9, 2022 at 7:00 am

    There is no denying that you will get further, faster with a good coach. But what about a great coach? How much further could you get with amazing coaching? Today’s episode tackles that question by talking with LeeAnn Moody, Director of Performance Coaching for Full Focus. LeeAnn and Michael break down the four characteristics of great coaching and help you identify what you might need to be successful for your organization. Continue reading What Makes Good Coaching Great at Full Focus.

  • What Elon Musk Gets Wrong About Remote Work
    by Michael and Megan on August 2, 2022 at 7:00 am

    During the height of the pandemic, everyone was forced to go remote. But, now that offices have opened back up, leaders and staff are confronted with some challenging questions around a seemingly basic concept: Where should work happen? Continue reading What Elon Musk Gets Wrong About Remote Work at Full Focus.

  • The 10/80/10 Principle: Grow Your Business with 20% of the Work
    by Michael and Megan on July 26, 2022 at 7:00 am

    What if you could grow your business and only do about 20% of the work you’re currently doing? If that were true, you would do almost anything to find out how to do it, right? Continue reading The 10/80/10 Principle: Grow Your Business with 20% of the Work at Full Focus.

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