Archive for the ‘leadership’ Category

4 Gauges Every Entrepreneur Should Monitor

4 Gauges Every Entrepreneur Should Monitor

As a business owner, I’m never “off.” The mind of an entrepreneur is always working on opportunities, challenges and next steps. Of all the many thoughts that go through my mind on any given time, there are 4 areas of business that I’m constantly monitoring because I have learned that (Continue reading…)

Is Your Greatest Idea Still on a Napkin?

Is Your Greatest Idea Still on a Napkin?

“The greatest ideas are still left on napkins,” said a friend over lunch. These words stuck with me like some ugly unwelcome platitude. The more I tried to ignore them, the more they nagged at me. My ultimate fear is to go to my grave with my greatest idea still (Continue reading…)

Getting Your Vision Funded

Getting Your Vision Funded

There’s not a week that goes by that I don’t meet with someone who’s trying to secure funding for a project, business, ministry or church. I love meeting with visionaries who can see an opportunity to make a big impact whether it be in the business sector or in the (Continue reading…)

A Leader Must Know When To Ask for Help

A Leader Must Know When To Ask for Help

I just got off the phone with a young entrepreneur who has started what I call a “socially redemptive business”: proceeds from the business funds not-for-profit organizations. I love the energy, vision, passion and commitment I heard during our phone conversation. But no amount of enthusiasm or sheer determination will (Continue reading…)

Managing Expectations: The Difference Between Success or Failure

Managing Expectations: The Difference Between Success or Failure

I love to say “YES.” It’s more than just the salesman in me who wants to promise the moon in order to get the deal. I thrive on the challenge to help someone accomplish a goal or seize an opportunity. I specially love tell “yes” to my ministry clients on (Continue reading…)

The Question that Can Take You to the Next Level

The Question that Can Take You to the Next Level

Recently I’ve spent time with two great communicators: one has sold over 37 million books and the other is a leader of one of the nation’s largest churches and an amazing teacher. For all practical purposes these men are “on top of their game,” after all they have achieved the (Continue reading…)

Why I Need Encouragement

Why I Need Encouragement

I need encouragement. For someone who sees the glass half full and opportunity during the tough times, I am not a natural encourager. That’s not an excuse, however. If I need encouragement, why shouldn’t those around me need it as well? They do. We all do. Here’s what I know (Continue reading…)

Management Lesson from My Teeth

Management Lesson from My Teeth

My teeth have recently taught me a management lesson I  have known for years but had neglected. I have a love/hate relationship with my teeth. While most people start having tooth issues late in life, mine started early in my teenage years. I’ve had braces, root canals, crowns, oral surgeries (Continue reading…)

Becoming a Change Agent

Becoming a Change Agent

I often intuitively know what a person or organization needs to do to get where they want to be. Most of the times, I realize they cannot get there on one step, sometimes they cannot get there at all. Early in my career, I was frustrated by the inability of (Continue reading…)

Don’t Spiritualize Your Management Problems, Fix Them

Don’t Spiritualize Your Management Problems, Fix Them

A lot of bad decisions get blamed on God. In my years of consulting, I have run into poorly managed organizations with broken systems, ineffective workers, and bad strategies. All of them can be fixed. Well almost. There’s the spiritual trump card that stops any effort cold: “I feel God (Continue reading…)