Monthly Archives: June 2018

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Leaders As Control Freaks

A control freak refers to a person who must be in control of all things and people. This is the micromanager who nitpicks about performance to such an extent workers are emotionally exhausted and anxious.

Leaders can be control freaks

Photo by Alejandro Alvarez

But a control freak, in my mind, is a leader who practices self-regulation, who is the locus on control. Such a leader is the strong center in a cyclonic tornado of activity and conflict in the workplace. In fact, we look to our leaders to remain calm, rational and inspirational even in the most challenging circumstances.

I recently read an article about Mayor Giuliani whose passion for New York anchored the city in the middle of the 911 catastrophe in which terrorists destroyed the Twin Towers, killing thousands. His hands-on approach distinguished him as a legendary leader. He aided firefighters, attended to the injured and took to the airwaves to comfort and calm the city.  Americans will never forget Rudy Giuliani.  Read more...

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Leading Is About People’s Lives

A sad trend I’ve seen in leadership is the focus on self. Leadership has, for a time, become more about the leader than the people. And leadership isn’t about the leader. Leadership is about the people.

Remember leadership isn't about you. Leading is about others.

Photo by Ezra Jeffrey

This is a leadership truth you have to remember as you lead. You have to think about the people. The lives of the people you lead. And how your choices impact those people.

Leading Isn’t About You

For a time, you may have been told leading is about you. You may have been told leadership is getting the job done, earning more money, or building a bigger organization.

None of those things are bad. In fact, many of those are good. Leaders need to get the job done. They need to build a bigger and better organization. And, if they do, earning a bigger paycheck isn’t a bad deal.  Read more...

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Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

A Reel Leadership Article

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom returns moviegoers to the island of Isla Nublar. Isla Nublar’s volcano is active and ready to kill every living creature on the island. Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) return in Jurassic World: Fallen Kindom. They are on a mission to save as many of the dinosaurs on the island and Owen’s trained velociraptor named Blue because Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell) reached out to Claire.

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

He’d seen her recent dinosaur activism. He sees her as a possible savior to the dinosaurs, along with Owen. Yet there’s something sinister brewing just below the surface.

There’s also plenty of leadership lessons in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. They’re just below the surface if you’re looking. And I was.

Let’s take a look at the leadership lessons you will find in the latest Jurassic World film.

Caution: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom spoilers below  Read more...

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Use Your Setback For Your Comeback

How Your Failure Sets You Up For An Epic Comeback

Setbacks… Something you hate to experience. Something that tells you that you’re not good enough. That you should just go home.

When you experience a setback, you feel like you’re 3 steps further back than when you began. You may think you don’t have what it takes to lead anymore.

Setbacks are great for comebacks

Photo by Aimee Vogelsang

But whenever you experience a setback, don’t think the setback is permanent. Your setbacks are temporary. And they’re a great springboard for your comeback.

The Dreaded Setback

Have you been in a situation where everything is moving forward and going perfectly? You feel like you’re the king of the world (Remember Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic? We all know what happened to him). Then what happened to DiCarpio’s character happens to you.

You have a setback. The project gets derailed. You have a moral failure. A pink slip is handed to you on Friday afternoon.  Read more...

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Why You Need To S.T.O.P.

I was recently listening to a podcast when the guest, Clint Longenecker, shared a method to get results. Clint used the acronym S.T.O.P. to help listeners remember what to do to get better results.

Sit Think Organize Perform

Photo by Sandeep Swarnkar

S.T.O.P. stands for Sit, Think, Organize, and Perform. Doing each of these things in succession will help you get results. Let’s take a look and see how S.T.O.P.ping will take you to the next level.

Why You Need To S.T.O.P.

Sit

Sitting allows you to ponder what you’re being paid for. What are the results you need to get to be considered successful for your position? Are you doing those things? As you’re SITTING, allow yourself to focus on what results you need to achieve.

Get a clear picture of what you need to do. Then begin to THINK.  Read more...