Monthly Archives: April 2016

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Why We Really Resist Change

Change is an ever-constant truth in our lives. Nothing stays the same (Well, except ONE thing).

The seasons change, our roles change, people change. We can’t stop change.

Change is rough, we can make it

But there’s a lot of people out there who don’t like change. You may be one of them.

I am, at times.

I don’t like saying a forever goodbye. I don’t like losing a friend. I don’t like telling someone they’re no longer a fit.

It sucks. And yet these are changes we must face.

The Real Reasons We Resist Change

While there’s a lot of emotions in our fight to avoid change, that’s not the real reason we push back. There’s actually psychological reasons behind this.

We think of the worst-case scenario: When we face change, our minds automatically go to the worst-case scenario. This comes from the flight-or-fight portion of our brain.  Read more...

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Who Are You Recognizing?

For years, studies have purported to show that employees stick around not due to compensation but because of meaningful work and being recognized for their hard work.

Leaders have extolled these studies. They believed meaningful work and recognition will keep employees around.

That’s true. However, there are times when we think we’re recognizing people but we’re not.

We must recognize the hard workers

So, today I want to ask you: Who are you recognizing?

Why Recognition Is Important

Studies show that recognition is important. People like to be told they’re doing a good job.

We’re creatures of praise and recognition.

We crave kind words, mentions of our name, and other actions that stroke our egos. This makes recognition important.

Don’t neglect to let your employees know you appreciate them.

Who Must You Recognize?

I think this is where leaders can get off base. They fail to recognize those who are doing good work.  Read more...

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How To Lose A Customer Over $10

Usually, a business doesn’t want to lose a customer. The customer is the one who is purchasing goods and bringing in income.

Your employees are paid because someone is spending money in your organization. Your salary is paid for because of said customers.

You don’t want to lose their business. But are you doing things that are encouraging your customers to leave?

Know your customer's value

You might be and not even realize it.

How A Burger Joint Almost Lost My Business Over $10

All I wanted was my birthday burger. The one the restaurant had sent me an email about.

My wife and I were seated at a nice table. I inquired about what was included with the birthday meal.

The waitress informed of which hamburgers would be free. Then she remembered something.

Away she dashed, behind the counter and began chatting with a manager.  Read more...

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What Will You Leave Behind?

This is a question every leader should be asking himself. What will I leave behind?

Leadership is not a permanent position. You will transition out of leadership.

And one of the greatest things people can say is that you transitioned out well and left something behind.

We all leave something behind when we leave leadership

Your leadership will impact various aspects of the organization you lead. From the staff to high-level leadership to customers, your ability to lead impacts all of these areas.

You will also impact these areas when you leave an organization.

What Will You Leave Behind For Staff Members?

Your staff are the people you’re over. You’re giving direction and guiding where they go.

When you leave, there will be a void. You need to leave something for them.

You should leave your staff with:

A sense of accomplishment: Not of what YOU have done but of what THEY have been able to accomplish with your leadership.  Read more...

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Finding Your Identity As A Creative Leader With Kent Sanders

The Answers From Leadership Podcast Episode 009

Today’s guest is Kent Sanders. Kent is an editor at the Good Men Project, Professor at St. Louis Christian College, and author of The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey. He writes about art and creativity at KentSanders.net.

Find your creative leader identity

Show Notes:

How do you define creativity?

I don’t define creativity in terms of a certain kind of art or skill. That’s a very superficial way of looking at it. It’s much broader than that.

“Creativity” suggests creating, or bringing forth something that is new or fresh. I like to define creativity this way: Doing what you were born to do.

Creativity is doing what you were born to do @KentSanders http://bit.ly/205NLzP

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It’s like breathing: you must breathe in (take care of yourself; be healthy; personal growth), but you must also breathe out (serving, being generous, being excellent at your craft. A healthy person is always breathing both in and out.  Read more...