Terry Starbucker

SEPTEMBER 10, 2017

Providing individual context can be that powerful, just as powerful as the company “Why” concept made famous by author Simon Sinek and his “Golden Circle” TED talk. It’s really a matter of giving meaning to the work that each person does, which leads to happier, more motivated, and more productive teammates.

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Metrics Simon Resistance Goal 233

Terry Starbucker

DECEMBER 18, 2011

The old system of ‘command and control’ — using carrots and sticks — to exert power over people is fast being replaced by ‘connect and collaborate’ — to generate power through people.” - Dov Seidman. Everything flowed through him, and the fear he generated with his sticks was legendary, as well as the power of the occasional carrots.

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Document Learning-by-Doing Power Information 293

Terry Starbucker

AUGUST 2, 2015

It didn’t take me long to get to one in particular, aided by a chance viewing of a video on ESPN…… “It’s the most powerful thing there is” – John Wooden. To him, love is the “ most powerful thing there is “. Just ask John Wooden. Leadership – what’s love got to do with it?

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Leadership Mentor Bond Loyalty 150

Terry Starbucker

APRIL 22, 2012

For those of us old enough to remember a world without “devices” or “portables”, the possession of all that computing power and global reach in the palms of our hands is awe inspiring. The power of face-to-face conversation. But yet it scares me, more and more with each passing day.

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Leadership Technology Commitment Travel 385

Terry Starbucker

JULY 27, 2014

Leaders confront this tug of war constantly, because of the power of either side. That is, if the business leader is focused on complete customer and employee satisfaction, and believes great profits will be a byproduct of that focus, quality becomes the chief concern.

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How To Quality Price Cost 283

Terry Starbucker

APRIL 6, 2014

The reasons building a powerful culture cannot be framed as an obligation. Why the “paycheck option” isn’t necessarily the less risky one. The concept of developing ”extreme competence” and why it’s important. Why success should NOT be your core driver.

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Company Entrepreneur Uncertainty Education 392

Terry Starbucker

MARCH 27, 2011

But we realized that we could leverage these conversations, and supercharge our business, in several other powerful ways: To proactively deal with, and fix problems before they festered too long - When issues were raised on the calls we addressed them as quickly as possible, oftentimes transferring the call to a service agent right then and there.

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Benchmarking Survey Power Media 283

Terry Starbucker

AUGUST 27, 2019

Envy is powerful. Putting it out there. And that can make people you know pretty nervous – not about you, but about themselves. (I I know, because earlier in my life I’ve been a Frenenvy). It’s just that they have issues to work through, so when it comes to your dreams, they just can’t be in that particular glide path.

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Succession How To Letter Content 218

Terry Starbucker

JUNE 11, 2019

But if the target is higher, then the power shifts to the other side. For companies where profit is paramount, it’s easy to be compelled by the expediency argument – “If we sell more at a cheaper cost, we can get away with lesser quality, and make more money”.

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How To Leadership Quality Price 259

Terry Starbucker

MAY 7, 2017

Never let power or authority go to your head. Anticipate problems and prepare to overcome obstacles. Don’t wait until you get to the top of the ridge and then make up your mind. Remain humble. Don’t worry about who receives the credit. Take a moment of self-reflection. True satisfaction comes from getting the job done.

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Teamwork Delegation Follow-up Stress 288

Terry Starbucker

JUNE 8, 2014

“Sharing knowledge is much more powerful. . “Bring other people into your business, don’t try to control everything.” ” - Micah Camden, owner of 17 restaurants, including @ BlueStarDonuts. Things have meaning.” ” - Natalie Ramsland, co-founder, SweetPea Bicycles ( @ SweetpeaBikes ).

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Entrepreneur Leadership Hotels Diversity 382

Terry Starbucker

MAY 7, 2017

Never let power or authority go to your head. Anticipate problems and prepare to overcome obstacles. Don’t wait until you get to the top of the ridge and then make up your mind. Remain humble. Don’t worry about who receives the credit. Take a moment of self-reflection. True satisfaction comes from getting the job done.

Teamwork 284

Teamwork Delegation Follow-up Stress 284

Terry Starbucker

MARCH 3, 2013

That’s a powerful pull to the hubris lever. We HAVE to be strong and confident – projecting an aura of near-infallibility. Because if we do admit that we can be (and are) wrong, then our teammates, bosses and peers will think less of us. But it’s a pull that must be resisted.

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Short-term Resistance Learning-by-Doing CEO 355

Terry Starbucker

JANUARY 18, 2015

I have used it many times as a powerful and effective example in subsequent coaching conversations. ” So where does the power in this story come from? I now believe the power comes from three messages: We have strength we are unaware of. The Source of Our Strength. It always has the same attention-getting effect.

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Finance Committee Bottom-up Advice 150

Terry Starbucker

NOVEMBER 20, 2016

For as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.“. For as George Washington said, “ We must consult our means rather than our wishes” Set them too conservatively, and a false sense of security, stagnation, and a culture of mediocracy are sure to follow.

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BHAG Company Short-term Long-term 391

Terry Starbucker

JUNE 1, 2011

That’s the power of gratitude. It’s quite an efficient way to enhance your product – any product. For the cost of a phone call (or just a few extra seconds after a face-to-face transaction), you can make the product you sell more valuable. And common courtesy.

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Efficiency Productivity Products ROI 280

Terry Starbucker

OCTOBER 22, 2017

I’ve heard this one time and time again, and it’s a very powerful message about learning from the past. Remember this famous quote? Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it” – George Santayana.

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Objective Policies Course Leadership 176

Terry Starbucker

DECEMBER 14, 2014

Indeed, it’s a very powerful message about learning from the past. George Santayana. I’m sure you’ve heard this famous quote many times: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” – George Santayana.

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Objective Policies Course Leadership 279

Terry Starbucker

MARCH 10, 2013

It truly is “the most powerful thing there is” The most important question a leader can EVER answer is “ Why ?” What’s love got to do with leadership? Just ask John Wooden. ” Context is everything in a workplace. Without it, you’ll have less happy, less motivated, and less productive teammates.

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Leadership Learning-by-Doing Motivation Succession 363

Terry Starbucker

JULY 14, 2013

And one day, after a lot of hard work, and thousands of conversations, we could hear it. “POP!!” ” We pierced the bubble. And boy oh boy, did things accelerate after that. It was like a flywheel that started to turn powerfully and effortlessly. “POP”! That’s what great more human leadership is all about.

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Leadership Objective Finance Goal 338

Terry Starbucker

FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Once I could fully disengage from what was happening on the mainland I could literally “feel” the restorative power of just kicking back and enjoying the time off. That rest and recovery did me a lot of good, because I sit here today with a ton of renewed energy and focus.

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Leadership Analysis Productivity Products 406

Terry Starbucker

NOVEMBER 14, 2010

Home About Me About This Blog Starbucker’s Amazon Store TerryStarbucker.com Ramblings From a Glass Half Full The Leader’s Power of Positivity – Turning Gray into Great by Starbucker on November 14, 2010 Yesterday my wife and I arrived in Portland Oregon for the first time as residents. And THAT is the incredible power of positivity.

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Positioning Power Blog Energy 306

Terry Starbucker

OCTOBER 19, 2014

I knew it would be nearly impossible for me to really move the dial when when the mistrust of leadership was so high, because it is such a powerful destructive force in the workplace. I’ve been there, and felt it. And it didn’t feel good. 2) Make sure you know them. 3) Be a “Doer”, not a “Talker”. 6) Be a truth-teller.

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Reputation Objective Morale Audience 299

Terry Starbucker

MAY 29, 2011

Never let power or authority go to your head. Anticipate problems and prepare to overcome obstacles. Don’t wait until you get to the top of the ridge and then make up your mind. Remain humble. Don’t worry about who receives the credit. Take a moment of self-reflection. True satisfaction comes from getting the job done.

Teamwork 419

Teamwork Delegation Follow-up Stress 419

Terry Starbucker

MAY 6, 2012

Argue cohesively and coherently - The power to persuade is a tool you need in your toolbox to navigate all the complicated constituencies in today’s org charts. Build The Band of Brothers (and Sisters) – It’s all about a united, tightknit, and focused team that will walk through walls for each other.

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Loyalty Learning-by-Doing Mentor Policies 411

Terry Starbucker

MAY 3, 2010

It’s a powerful vortex of positive energy that brings out the best of all who come under its influence. There is tremendous power to an atmosphere of trust and love. SOBCon has evolved into something totally and utterly different.

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Power Open-book Learning-by-Doing Blog 222

Terry Starbucker

APRIL 15, 2012

I know, because earlier in my life I’ve been a Frenenvy). Envy is powerful. Putting it out there. And that can make people you know pretty nervous – not about you, but about themselves. (I

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Succession Letter How To Content 382

Terry Starbucker

JULY 3, 2016

He knew the limits to his authority and did not attempt to “stretch” his powers beyond his capacity as general, although he most certainly could have. – . – His optimism was contagious – as described by one of his fellow officers he “Fills his place with vast ease and dignity, and dispenses happiness around him.”. –

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Leadership Letter Document Learning-by-Doing 192

Terry Starbucker

APRIL 29, 2012

Like many others here in Portland I’ve been increasing my consumption of a certain vegetable – one that has magical powers. “It’s a superfood!”, ”, the stores proclaim.

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Leadership Company Succession Power 316

Terry Starbucker

AUGUST 9, 2015

This elementary part of humanity is a powerful motivator, and most of the time you don’t even realize it. Down deep, we just want to please – and when that emotion is focused properly, it can be a powerful driver of success and goal setting and attainment. Sinatra singing “High Hopes”- SO catchy.

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Open-book Learning-by-Doing Taylorism Taylor 150

Terry Starbucker

FEBRUARY 5, 2012

And, it produces a natural momentum that is a powerful antidote for inertia – and perhaps that’s the biggest benefit of them all. Lead well!

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Download Sharpe Leadership Analysis 314

Terry Starbucker

AUGUST 24, 2014

“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things” – This line from the movie “ The Shawshank Redemption ” has stood the test of time for me for the message it tells us all about the power of the human spirit. Because no good thing ever dies.

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Learning-by-Doing Retail Document Blog 306

Terry Starbucker

MAY 31, 2018

It’s been a journey to the heart of leadership and a tribute to the power of just writing it all down. I’ve covered a lot of ground (and probed the depths of my head and heart) in my 1,066 posts since December 25, 2005, and what I have gained from it is incalculable. I’m a better leader because I wrote it all down.

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Leadership Self-aware Bottom-up Resistance 208

Terry Starbucker

DECEMBER 31, 2017

Harness the power of the collective consciousness ! I’d try to keep the pieces to no more than 4 or 5, but once you come up with them, be relentless in your communication – post them everywhere, and your progress against them.

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Leadership Self-aware Metrics Planning 249

Terry Starbucker

SEPTEMBER 23, 2012

Watching this happen year after year has convinced me of the real power of finding this “sweet spot” of success. Ideas, meet urgency. Happy to make your acquaintance! This week Liz and I will be hosting another SOBCon in Portland , on September 28 & 29.

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Succession Conference Idea Generation Budgeting 280

Terry Starbucker

FEBRUARY 23, 2011

In his book ) Ferriss talks about this ( empowerment ) in a quite different context than I would (he uses it as a means to a different end), but he makes a powerful case nonetheless for “pushing down” as much responsibility as possible. (what follows was originally published 2/19/08). (

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Leadership Resistance Follow-up Books 272

Terry Starbucker

MARCH 15, 2015

Don’t squander their pride. Embrace it. Be More Human. And lead well! For more insight on More Human Leadership, visit my “ What Is More Human ?

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Motivation Environment Leadership Examples 150