Leadership Freak

SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

16 ways CEOs shoot themselves in the foot: #1. Lack of effort isn’t the problem for good leaders. Smart people do dumb things and sincere leaders make stupid mistakes. Going it alone. It’s… Continue reading →

CEO 125

CEO Energy Succession Leadership Development 125

Leadership Freak

FEBRUARY 6, 2019

Empathy: Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, pursues empathy. The difference between average leaders and exceptional leadership is heart. Heartless leaders are deformed beasts that excuse abuse in the name of results. His pursuit… Continue reading →

CEO 134

CEO Leadership Succession Leadership Development 134

Leadership Freak

FEBRUARY 18, 2019

He was the CEO of Southwest Airlines during the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. I’m still grappling with Jim Parker’s advice. Jim said, “I don’t think I smiled for two years.” When… Continue reading →

Airlines 111

Airlines Advice CEO Succession 111

Leadership Freak

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

I asked Jamie Naughton, Speaker of the House for Zappos, to talk about a time when she butted heads with her famous CEO, [.]. That’s a foolish way to avoid butting heads with the boss.

CEO 196

CEO Team Succession Leadership Development 196

Leadership Freak

FEBRUARY 2, 2012

** If you aren’t concerned about ticking off the CEO, you should be. It’s easy to irritate high level leaders who operate in high pressure environments, especially if you aren’t part of the inner circle. Senior leaders expect mid-levels to prove their value and earn their place; they did. They can smell a sense of [.].

CEO 195

CEO Operations Environment 195

Leadership Freak

JUNE 2, 2016

64% of CEOs don’t recognize what truly motivates employees.* When you complain about unmotivated employees, you’re making a statement about yourself. Solar Impulse 2 training flight in Hawaii) Inspirational leadership: Everyone who speaks of… Continue reading →

Motivation 100

Motivation CEO Training Leadership 100

Leadership Freak

NOVEMBER 7, 2011

Jim Parker, former CEO of Southwest Airlines told me, “Don’t set artificial goals for yourself. We forget the expected and remember the unusual. I’ve been remembering something unusual that was said to me about ten months ago. Don’t set goals about the job you want or the amount of money you want to make.” You [.].

Airlines 193

Airlines Goal CEO Leadership Development 193

Leadership Freak

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

I asked the CEO of the largest home improvement franchise company in the world, Ace® Hardware, what others saw in him as a leader. He started talking about definitions. Define what leaders do… Continue reading →

CEO 100

CEO Franchising Definition Leadership 100

Leadership Freak

JANUARY 19, 2017

I had dinner last evening with 25 CEOs. Before dinner, each one answered the question, “What keeps you up at night?” Here’s a sampling from the conversation. Growing small and sticking to our… Continue reading →

CEO 100

CEO Sample Succession Leadership Development 100

Leadership Freak

FEBRUARY 13, 2012

John Bell, former CEO of Jacobs Suchard (Nabob, Kraft), suggested he would not do different things as much as he [.]. Image source One high performance department is miserable and oppressive another is joyful and liberating. One leader has fun while another leader … All leaders get things done but the way they do things matters.

CEO 197

CEO Leadership Development Development Leadership 197

Leadership Freak

AUGUST 23, 2011

I ask Doug Conant, retired CEO of Campbell’s Soup, to share the universal leadership principle that most changed him. Image source Leadership principles that work the best change us the most. Trouble is leadership is situational. That’s why many principles work in one context but not another. The genius of “and”: Doug said moving from [.].

CEO 203

CEO Power Leadership Leadership Development 203

Leadership Freak

OCTOBER 13, 2020

Robert Rosenberg (Bob) was 25 years old when his dad asked him to take over the family business. It was 1963. Thirty-five years later the company (Dunkin Donuts) had grown from a 10… Continue reading →

CEO 245

CEO Company Books 245

Leadership Freak

JANUARY 23, 2020

I don’t care for the idea of luck. I prefer Ralph Waldo Emerson’s approach, “Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” But a recent conversation with the founder… Continue reading →

CEO 141

CEO Succession Leadership Development Development 141

Leadership Freak

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

CEOs, on average, have the lowest EQ scores in the workplace.” Emotional intelligence is rocket fuel for competent, intelligent leaders. Emotional Intelligence 2.0 Five components of emotional intelligence. “… the most effective leaders… Continue reading →

Emotional Intelligence 223

Emotional Intelligence CEO 223

Leadership Freak

JULY 30, 2018

“This idea of the power of giving credit to others — as opposed to your own individual accomplishment — has shaped my entire career. Most people don’t really think about that. They mostly… Continue reading →

CEO 114

CEO Career Power Influence 114

Leadership Freak

FEBRUARY 2, 2012

** If you aren’t concerned about ticking off the CEO, you should be. It’s easy to irritate high level leaders who operate in high pressure environments, especially if you aren’t part of the inner circle. Senior leaders expect mid-levels to prove their value and earn their place; they did. They can smell a sense of [.].

CEO 100

CEO Operations Environment 100

Leadership Freak

FEBRUARY 16, 2013

Your worst problem is believing you know the problem, when you don’t. The next is solving it. Procter & Gamble set out to design new soap for cleaning floors. It’s a challenge because strong soap cleans dirt but it also strips finishes and irritates skin. After years of failed attempts, P&G came up with the [.].

CEO 236

CEO 236

Leadership Freak

OCTOBER 1, 2018

If the most powerful thing leaders do is connect, the most dangerous is isolation. Inspired by Henry Mintzberg.) Relationship building: “Half of Americans view themselves as lonely,” David Cordani, chief executive of Cigna. Cigna… Continue reading →

Mintzberg 156

Mintzberg CEO Succession Tips 156

Leadership Freak

JANUARY 21, 2018

Secret Sauce Sundays are my opportunity to invite leaders who I respect to share ideas that have changed their leadership. Today, Doug Conant shares 5 secrets to leadership success. For the past 20 years of his… Continue reading →

Succession 158

Succession CEO Leadership Leadership Development 158

Leadership Freak

JANUARY 31, 2012

If you don’t fit in you’re a dangerous lose cannon. Fit in before standing out. Conformity opens the door for your creativity. Hotshots: John Spence told me he’s seen hotshots arrive on the scene with MBAs from top universities. John said, “That piece of paper doesn’t mean sh**.” Shut up: Speaking too soon destroys opportunity. [.].

CEO 184

CEO Creativity Leadership Development Development 184

Leadership Freak

APRIL 14, 2022

Glimpses of vulnerability: When I asked Jim Parker, former CEO… Continue reading → Vulnerability is mocked by arrogance and rejected by fools. Smart people have told me some wildly underwhelming things that eventually dawned on me.

Wilde 198

Wilde CEO 198

Leadership Freak

JANUARY 14, 2018

Secret Sauce Sundays are my opportunity to invite leaders who I respect to share ideas that have changed their leadership. Today, Doug Conant shares his secret sauce. For the past 20 years of his… Continue reading →

CEO 132

CEO Succession Leadership Leadership Development 132

Leadership Freak

SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

Nothing useful ever happens when a disconnected high-and-mighty leader shows up for a visit. The memo: When high-and-mighty leaders show up, a memo goes out that reads something like, “The big cheese will… Continue reading →

CEO 114

CEO Leadership Development Development Leadership 114

Leadership Freak

AUGUST 22, 2011

Office politicians make themselves look good while making others look bad. “Create environments where people believe they will be honored,” Doug Conant. I recall a meeting where an office politician made a member of the team look incompetent.

Politics 202

Politics CEO Environment Team 202

Leadership Freak

NOVEMBER 12, 2020

A friend and CEO sent me an email after reading Monday’s post, “Can Gratitude Be a Bad Thing? He writes, “Why do I feel this post began with my name?” “I I find… Continue reading →

CEO 170

CEO Leadership 170

Leadership Freak

JANUARY 31, 2012

If you don’t fit in you’re a dangerous lose cannon. Fit in before standing out. Conformity opens the door for your creativity. Hotshots: John Spence told me he’s seen hotshots arrive on the scene with MBAs from top universities. John said, “That piece of paper doesn’t mean sh**.” Shut up: Speaking too soon destroys opportunity. [.].

CEO 100

CEO Creativity Leadership Development Development 100

Leadership Freak

MAY 29, 2018

I’m the CEO of Widgets Across America.” Imagine you just met Wilma at a party. You’re shaking hands when she says, “I’m Wilma. Choose to build trust rather than create distance. Connect… Continue reading →

How To 189

How To CEO Leadership Development Development 189

Leadership Freak

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

Gary Anzolone, CEO of CEO Clubs NYC, sat beside me for [.]. Experience shows many leaders between 45 and 55 years old are so connected with business that they become disconnected with themselves. Don’t get so lost in business that you lose yourself.

CEO 201

CEO Leadership Development Development Leadership 201

Leadership Freak

JANUARY 30, 2012

CEOs and others in the C-Suite make or break careers. The first thing Doug Conant, former CEO of Campbell’s Soup, said when I asked for his [.]. This article begins a short series designed to help you connect with C-Level leaders. Danger: The further away from the C-Suite you are the further away you should stay.

How To 187

How To CEO Career Article 187

Leadership Freak

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Kip Tindell author of “UNCONTAINABLE” and CEO of The Container Store®. “In my experience, women make much better executives than men.” 4 areas women are better: Communication. Collaboration. Kip in his… Continue reading → Author Book Notes Interview'

Teamwork 242

Teamwork CEO Books Execution 242

Leadership Freak

JUNE 21, 2017

The problem at Uber is bigger than CEO Travis Kalanick. Yes, he’s ultimately responsible. However, there’s a team of leaders in place who need to step up and take aggressive public action. The… Continue reading →

CEO 149

CEO Team Succession Leadership Development 149

Leadership Freak

JULY 4, 2018

Dimon is the CEO of America’s biggest bank, JPMorgan… Continue reading → Leaders typically honor results, but what are you doing to honor heart? Jamie Dimon said the secret of great leadership is humility and heart.

How To 122

How To Banking CEO Leadership 122

Leadership Freak

MAY 1, 2014

Drew Houston, Co-founder and CEO of Dropbox. The more you’re pushing, the less you’re doing what you love. Love pulls. It’s not just about pushing yourself. It’s about finding your tennis ball.” Obsession:… Continue reading → Passion Strengths Taking others higher leadership success Serving'

CEO 243

CEO Succession Leadership 243

Leadership Freak

FEBRUARY 18, 2017

I am the male CEO of an organization that has no other male staff. Hi Dan, Love your blog, it’s my regular go-to! I find increasingly that staff and board members are going… Continue reading →

Team 142

Team CEO Blog Organization 142

Leadership Freak

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Hart, when he was CEO of Texas Roadhouse, if he could spot emerging leaders. He didn’t rule out talent, education, or leadership presence, but he replied, “I can usually tell if they have the humility to make it.” Hart’s statement so deeply impacted me that I wrote about humility in, “The Character Based Leader.” [.].

Education 278

Education CEO Leadership Influence 278

Leadership Freak

AUGUST 22, 2014

Today, Jeremie is the president and CEO of GiANT Impact and a founding partner… Continue reading → Author Coaching Influence Interview Marks of leaders Personal Growth Taking others higher Leadership Development' Every great leader I’ve talked with had mentors that changed them. 26 years ago, Jeremie Kubicek’s was Hance Dilbeck.

Mentor 200

Mentor Influence Leadership Development CEO 200

Leadership Freak

FEBRUARY 8, 2014

Employees first: Vineet Nayar, CEO of HCL Technologies, Ltd., One of two business philosophies dominate organizations today, “customers first” or “employees first.” Both are useful. Neither reflect reality. is committed to employees first. Harvard Business Review published his book, “Employees First, Customers Second.”

Health Care 206

Health Care Review Commitment CEO 206