Too often, we think of only external customer service, and forget about the need for excellent internal customer service. No matter what type of business, organization or team you lead, teach your team members/ employees the need for and importance of internal customer service. Similar to external customer service, that means employees/team members should: 1. Return phone calls on a timely basis. Answer e-mails. Be polite. Probe to discover how else he/she can be helpful to a co-worker. MORE
According to Ron Ricci and Carl Wiese , authors of the book, The Collaboration Imperative , high-performing teams have the following characteristics: People have solid and deep trust in each other and in the team's purpose--they feel free to express feelings and ideas. MORE
" Frustration in the workplace is a silent killer," claim authors Mark Royal and Tom Agnew in their terrific book, The Enemy of Engagement. Further, "in an organizational context, frustration is not as simple as failing to get something you want. MORE
Legacy in the Making is the fascinating new book where authors Mark Miller and Lucas Conley provide readers a toolkit for how to be a modern day legacy builder for your company/brand. MORE
I found this advice from Ken Goldstein (from his book, Endless Encores ) particularly helpful. He says: "You have to be innovating all the time. The only sure path to a limited repertoire is not to push yourself beyond the familiar. MORE
Author Paul Falcone offers the following great advice for how to become a stronger career mentor and coach by helping your subordinates grow and develop in their own careers. Encourage others to engage in random acts of kindness. Find creative ways of surprising your customers. MORE
If you are new to managing, or if you are struggling with a management dilemma, ask for help. There is no shame in asking for help. Seek the guidance of a colleague at work. Reach out to a mentor at or away from work. Turn to an online resource. Consult a book on managing. Whatever you do, don't sit back and do nothing. Managing even one employee can be challenging. And many managers receive little or no formal training on how to be a manager. MORE
Perhaps now more than ever it's time for the book by John Blakey called, The Trusted Executive: Nine Leadership Habits That Inspire Results, Relationships, and Reputation. MORE
Early on in Eli Broad's book, The Art of Being Unresaonable , he reminds us of the power of a child's instinctive asking, " Why not? Unfortunately, most adults lose that habit and Broad goes on to explain that it was his continuing to ask "Why not?" throughout his career that brought him success. " MORE
Hiring Greatness is the book by David E. Perry and Mark J. Haluska , who combined have closed more than 1,800 hiring search projects. In their book, the authors share their guide for how to attract, recruit and retain star executives. MORE
Take the opportunity today to teach an employee something new. Nearly everyone likes to learn and is capable of tackling a new challenge. Teach your employee something that expands his (or her) current job description. Teach something that will help him to get promoted within your organization at a later date. Teach him a skill that uses new technology. Or, teach him something that will allow him to be a more skilled leader and manager in the future. MORE
The book, The Decision Makeoever , by Mike Whitaker presents a fascinating look at decision making and the importance of decision size and timing. As you read the book, you'll gain a better understanding of: The power of decisions Why we make bad decisions How to deal with bad decisions How to deal with regret How to take control of decision making How goals and decisions can help each other Perhaps the most significant part of the book is the author's perspective on goals. MORE
The book, Step Up , shows readers how to step up to the plate during six critical leadership moments. Readers learn how to: Use anger intelligently in the workplace. Recognize and deal with terminal politeness. Make decisions when no one else is making them. MORE
Be sure to read the definitive book on servant leadership. A curated collection of incredibly insightful and motivational perspectives on servant leadership via essays by 44 servant leaders. Edited by Ken Blanchard and Renee Broadwell , Servant Leadership in Action , includes the personal stories from some of the most well-respected authorities on leadership: Patrick Lencioni John C. Maxwell Marshall Goldsmith Stephen M. MORE
To help you bring out the best in your team, you need to get close and understand their skills, abilities, and motivations. So, the authors of the book, Your First Leadership Job , recommend you hold getting-to-know-you conversations with each of your direct reports. Ask these open-ended questions. Let each team member know the purpose of the meeting in advance. And, don't cheat by adding in work-specific questions. What do you enjoy doing most as part of your work? MORE
A couple years ago, I was aksed, " What five most important traits must a leader have to be effective ?" I could reply fairly quickly, but I did take a moment to remember that when I asked a similar question in a LinkedIn group discussion, group members offered up nearly 100 different adjectives to describe an effective leader. But, for me, I contend the five most important traits are : Good communicator. MORE
Here are 10 important questions business leaders should ask, according to Ken Blanchard and Garry Ridge, authors of Helping People Win At Work : Does my business have a clear, meaningful, and easily understood vision/mission? Do I have the right people in the right seats on the bus? Do I have a BHAG (big hairy audacious goal), and have I communicated it to my employees? Are my values driving the behavior I want in my organization? Am I creating a culture that increases employee engagement? MORE
Pictured above are two books to add to your list for reading this month. Let The Story Do The Work explains that at the heart of leadership lies persuasion. And at the heart of persuasion likes storytelling. In her book, author Esther K. MORE
Change is inevitable. Change is good. Help your employees and team learn to embrace change. Here are some solid insights from Dr. Rodger Dean Duncan 's (Liberty, Missouri) book, Change-friendly Leadership -- How to Transform Good Intentions into Great Performance : The kind of behavior change that results in lasting (sustainable) change must accommodate people's feelings--feelings that involve trust, confidence, passion, and all those other intangible but very real things that make us human. MORE
“Higher performance comes from doing many things well—but some of those things are not in your power to change,” says author Marc Effron. Therefore, he recommends in his new book, 8 Steps to High Performance , that you focus on what you can change and ignore the rest. MORE
Feelings of being stuck, overwhelmed and frustrated plague too many of our workplaces says Laurie Sudbrink , author of the book, Leading With GRIT. MORE
According to Ron Ricci and Carl Wiese , authors of the book, The Collaboration Imperative , high-performing teams have the following characteristics: People have solid and deep trust in each other and in the team's purpose--they feel free to express feelings and ideas. MORE
Tomorrow, March 6, brings the release of the new definitive book on servant leadership. A curated collection of incredibly insightful and motivational perspectives on servant leadership via essays by 44 servant leaders. MORE
Hiring Greatness is the book by David E. Perry and Mark J. Haluska , who combined have closed more than 1,800 hiring search projects. In their book, the authors share their guide for how to attract, recruit and retain star executives. MORE
"Superbosses embrace certain practices that good bosses don't, and they do even more of the productive things that good bosses do," says Syney Finkelstein , author of the book, Superbosses: How Exceptional Leaders Master the Flow of Talent. MORE
Here is a great message from the book, Stronger: Develop the Resilience You Need to Succeed : Listen to Others, Especially Before You Speak When we think of people who possess extraordinary interpersonal skill, we find they are good listeners. In even the briefest of encounters, they can make you feel important. According to author Denise Restauri, charismatic people are good listeners who make the conversation about the other person. they show genuine interest. MORE
Set a good example for your employees and follow through on everything you say you are going to do. If you promise to get an employee an answer, get it for him or her. If you say you'll send a team member a report, do so. As the Nike campaign/slogan so aptly says, "Just Do It." Too many leaders don't follow through. Perhaps they get busy. Perhaps they forget. However, following through is critical to keeping your team effective and efficient. MORE
Legacy in the Making is the fascinating book where authors Mark Miller and Lucas Conley provide readers a toolkit for how to be a modern day legacy builder for your company/brand. MORE
I met Debbie Laskey in 2009, when we worked together virtually for MicroMentor, Debbie in California, and me in Kansas. Here’s Debbie’s brief bio. MORE
My favorite Nelson Mandela leadership quotes are: "Lead from the back--and let others believe they are in front." "The The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall." "It It always seems impossible until it's done." "I I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles." I've learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. MORE
If you've had a lapse in maintaining your New Year's resolutions for this year, it may be time to set a new goal for yourself. Here are seven tips for goal setting from two-time U.S. Olympian Alan Culpepper (from the November 2013 issue of Competitor magazine). Here are his seven tips for setting goals, whether are your workplace or away-from-work goals: Be clear and specific about what it is you are trying to accomplish. Set intermediate goals that complement a long-term goal. MORE
Prepare to be inspired, impressed and motivated by personal, real-life stories and case studies from 70 women leaders in the book, Wisdom Warriors , authored by Carol Seymour. MORE
From John Blakey 's book, The Trusted Executive , here are these four tips from Jim Collins for how to be a humble leader : Demonstrate a compelling modesty, shunning public adulation and never be boastful. MORE
Inspirational leadership wisdom came awhile back from Bahram Akradi, the CEO of Life Time Fitness. From that health club's monthly fitness magazine, Experience Life , Akradi says: Once we get comfortable in our habitual patterns, we may fail to notice when they have outworn their useful purpose, or when new alternatives might serve us better. Once you've encountered a second way of seeing things, you're more likely to entertain the possibility of a third and fourth way, too. MORE
Norman Pickavance Norman Pickavance's book, The Reconnected Leader , provides an eight-step model for implementing new practices to help leaders reconnect with their teams and reset the relationship the business has with its stakeholders. MORE
New to your leader role? Or, already a leader, but looking to hone your skills? Then, the new kindle book, Ignite Your Leadership Expertise: Become the Trusted Advisor Others Seek , by Nathan Magnuson , is the book for you. MORE
From Jay Miletsky's book, 101 Ways to Successfully Market Yourself , here 10 tips for projecting an effective professional image : Discipline yourself to be positive and enthusiastic. In tense situations choose positive responses by maintaining perspective and getting along well with others. MORE
When you start reading Mark Thompson’s and Brian Tracy’s book, Now…Build a Great Business! , you may feel like you are reading 200 pages of Blog posts, but the bite-sized approach to providing tools, practical steps and ideas, rather than theory, is precisely the authors’ intended approach. The book thoroughly explains the seven keys for how to achieve business success : 1. Become a great leader 2. Develop a great business plan 3. Surround yourself with great people 4. MORE
The Courage Solution , a book by Mindy Mackenzie , is all about the simple truth that the only thing you can reliably change or control is yourself. MORE
Eric Jacobson
OCTOBER 15, 2018
New to your leader role? Or, already a leader, but looking to hone your skills? Then, the new kindle book, Ignite Your Leadership Expertise: Become the Trusted Advisor Others Seek , by Nathan Magnuson , is the book for you.
Eric Jacobson
OCTOBER 2, 2018
Legacy in the Making is the fascinating book where authors Mark Miller and Lucas Conley provide readers a toolkit for how to be a modern day legacy builder for your company/brand.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
According to Ron Ricci and Carl Wiese , authors of the book, The Collaboration Imperative , high-performing teams have the following characteristics: People have solid and deep trust in each other and in the team's purpose--they feel free to express feelings and ideas.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
The Courage Solution , a book by Mindy Mackenzie , is all about the simple truth that the only thing you can reliably change or control is yourself.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 13, 2018
" Frustration in the workplace is a silent killer," claim authors Mark Royal and Tom Agnew in their terrific book, The Enemy of Engagement. Further, "in an organizational context, frustration is not as simple as failing to get something you want.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
The book, Step Up , shows readers how to step up to the plate during six critical leadership moments. Readers learn how to: Use anger intelligently in the workplace. Recognize and deal with terminal politeness. Make decisions when no one else is making them.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 16, 2018
Hiring Greatness is the book by David E. Perry and Mark J. Haluska , who combined have closed more than 1,800 hiring search projects. In their book, the authors share their guide for how to attract, recruit and retain star executives.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 15, 2018
I found this advice from Ken Goldstein (from his book, Endless Encores ) particularly helpful. He says: "You have to be innovating all the time. The only sure path to a limited repertoire is not to push yourself beyond the familiar.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 8, 2018
Norman Pickavance Norman Pickavance's book, The Reconnected Leader , provides an eight-step model for implementing new practices to help leaders reconnect with their teams and reset the relationship the business has with its stakeholders.
Eric Jacobson
OCTOBER 8, 2018
Be sure to read the definitive book on servant leadership. A curated collection of incredibly insightful and motivational perspectives on servant leadership via essays by 44 servant leaders. Edited by Ken Blanchard and Renee Broadwell , Servant Leadership in Action , includes the personal stories from some of the most well-respected authorities on leadership: Patrick Lencioni John C. Maxwell Marshall Goldsmith Stephen M.
Eric Jacobson
OCTOBER 6, 2018
Eric Jacobson on Leadership and Management Integrity Leadership Management Wisdom
Eric Jacobson
AUGUST 26, 2018
Early on in Eli Broad's book, The Art of Being Unresaonable , he reminds us of the power of a child's instinctive asking, " Why not? Unfortunately, most adults lose that habit and Broad goes on to explain that it was his continuing to ask "Why not?" throughout his career that brought him success. "
Eric Jacobson
AUGUST 25, 2018
According to Ron Ricci and Carl Wiese , authors of the book, The Collaboration Imperative , high-performing teams have the following characteristics: People have solid and deep trust in each other and in the team's purpose--they feel free to express feelings and ideas.
Eric Jacobson
MARCH 5, 2018
Tomorrow, March 6, brings the release of the new definitive book on servant leadership. A curated collection of incredibly insightful and motivational perspectives on servant leadership via essays by 44 servant leaders.
Eric Jacobson
OCTOBER 4, 2018
If you are new to managing, or if you are struggling with a management dilemma, ask for help. There is no shame in asking for help. Seek the guidance of a colleague at work. Reach out to a mentor at or away from work. Turn to an online resource. Consult a book on managing. Whatever you do, don't sit back and do nothing. Managing even one employee can be challenging. And many managers receive little or no formal training on how to be a manager.
Eric Jacobson
AUGUST 10, 2018
Legacy in the Making is the fascinating new book where authors Mark Miller and Lucas Conley provide readers a toolkit for how to be a modern day legacy builder for your company/brand.
Eric Jacobson
AUGUST 9, 2018
“Higher performance comes from doing many things well—but some of those things are not in your power to change,” says author Marc Effron. Therefore, he recommends in his new book, 8 Steps to High Performance , that you focus on what you can change and ignore the rest.
Eric Jacobson
AUGUST 8, 2018
I met Debbie Laskey in 2009, when we worked together virtually for MicroMentor, Debbie in California, and me in Kansas. Here’s Debbie’s brief bio.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 29, 2018
The book, The Decision Makeoever , by Mike Whitaker presents a fascinating look at decision making and the importance of decision size and timing. As you read the book, you'll gain a better understanding of: The power of decisions Why we make bad decisions How to deal with bad decisions How to deal with regret How to take control of decision making How goals and decisions can help each other Perhaps the most significant part of the book is the author's perspective on goals.
Eric Jacobson
AUGUST 2, 2018
Prepare to be inspired, impressed and motivated by personal, real-life stories and case studies from 70 women leaders in the book, Wisdom Warriors , authored by Carol Seymour.
Eric Jacobson
JULY 28, 2018
Pictured above are two books to add to your list for reading this month. Let The Story Do The Work explains that at the heart of leadership lies persuasion. And at the heart of persuasion likes storytelling. In her book, author Esther K.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 26, 2018
Set a good example for your employees and follow through on everything you say you are going to do. If you promise to get an employee an answer, get it for him or her. If you say you'll send a team member a report, do so. As the Nike campaign/slogan so aptly says, "Just Do It." Too many leaders don't follow through. Perhaps they get busy. Perhaps they forget. However, following through is critical to keeping your team effective and efficient.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 26, 2018
To help you bring out the best in your team, you need to get close and understand their skills, abilities, and motivations. So, the authors of the book, Your First Leadership Job , recommend you hold getting-to-know-you conversations with each of your direct reports. Ask these open-ended questions. Let each team member know the purpose of the meeting in advance. And, don't cheat by adding in work-specific questions. What do you enjoy doing most as part of your work?
Eric Jacobson
JULY 21, 2018
"Superbosses embrace certain practices that good bosses don't, and they do even more of the productive things that good bosses do," says Syney Finkelstein , author of the book, Superbosses: How Exceptional Leaders Master the Flow of Talent.
Eric Jacobson
JULY 19, 2018
From Jay Miletsky's book, 101 Ways to Successfully Market Yourself , here 10 tips for projecting an effective professional image : Discipline yourself to be positive and enthusiastic. In tense situations choose positive responses by maintaining perspective and getting along well with others.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 23, 2018
When you start reading Mark Thompson’s and Brian Tracy’s book, Now…Build a Great Business! , you may feel like you are reading 200 pages of Blog posts, but the bite-sized approach to providing tools, practical steps and ideas, rather than theory, is precisely the authors’ intended approach. The book thoroughly explains the seven keys for how to achieve business success : 1. Become a great leader 2. Develop a great business plan 3. Surround yourself with great people 4.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 22, 2018
A couple years ago, I was aksed, " What five most important traits must a leader have to be effective ?" I could reply fairly quickly, but I did take a moment to remember that when I asked a similar question in a LinkedIn group discussion, group members offered up nearly 100 different adjectives to describe an effective leader. But, for me, I contend the five most important traits are : Good communicator.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
Here is a great message from the book, Stronger: Develop the Resilience You Need to Succeed : Listen to Others, Especially Before You Speak When we think of people who possess extraordinary interpersonal skill, we find they are good listeners. In even the briefest of encounters, they can make you feel important. According to author Denise Restauri, charismatic people are good listeners who make the conversation about the other person. they show genuine interest.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 19, 2018
If you've had a lapse in maintaining your New Year's resolutions for this year, it may be time to set a new goal for yourself. Here are seven tips for goal setting from two-time U.S. Olympian Alan Culpepper (from the November 2013 issue of Competitor magazine). Here are his seven tips for setting goals, whether are your workplace or away-from-work goals: Be clear and specific about what it is you are trying to accomplish. Set intermediate goals that complement a long-term goal.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
Change is inevitable. Change is good. Help your employees and team learn to embrace change. Here are some solid insights from Dr. Rodger Dean Duncan 's (Liberty, Missouri) book, Change-friendly Leadership -- How to Transform Good Intentions into Great Performance : The kind of behavior change that results in lasting (sustainable) change must accommodate people's feelings--feelings that involve trust, confidence, passion, and all those other intangible but very real things that make us human.
Eric Jacobson
JULY 1, 2018
From John Blakey 's book, The Trusted Executive , here are these four tips from Jim Collins for how to be a humble leader : Demonstrate a compelling modesty, shunning public adulation and never be boastful.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 16, 2018
Inspirational leadership wisdom came awhile back from Bahram Akradi, the CEO of Life Time Fitness. From that health club's monthly fitness magazine, Experience Life , Akradi says: Once we get comfortable in our habitual patterns, we may fail to notice when they have outworn their useful purpose, or when new alternatives might serve us better. Once you've encountered a second way of seeing things, you're more likely to entertain the possibility of a third and fourth way, too.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 14, 2018
Here are 10 important questions business leaders should ask, according to Ken Blanchard and Garry Ridge, authors of Helping People Win At Work : Does my business have a clear, meaningful, and easily understood vision/mission? Do I have the right people in the right seats on the bus? Do I have a BHAG (big hairy audacious goal), and have I communicated it to my employees? Are my values driving the behavior I want in my organization? Am I creating a culture that increases employee engagement?
Eric Jacobson
JUNE 18, 2018
Perhaps now more than ever it's time for the book by John Blakey called, The Trusted Executive: Nine Leadership Habits That Inspire Results, Relationships, and Reputation.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 12, 2018
Too often, we think of only external customer service, and forget about the need for excellent internal customer service. No matter what type of business, organization or team you lead, teach your team members/ employees the need for and importance of internal customer service. Similar to external customer service, that means employees/team members should: 1. Return phone calls on a timely basis. Answer e-mails. Be polite. Probe to discover how else he/she can be helpful to a co-worker.
Eric Jacobson
JUNE 15, 2018
Author Paul Falcone offers the following great advice for how to become a stronger career mentor and coach by helping your subordinates grow and develop in their own careers. Encourage others to engage in random acts of kindness. Find creative ways of surprising your customers.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 11, 2018
Take the opportunity today to teach an employee something new. Nearly everyone likes to learn and is capable of tackling a new challenge. Teach your employee something that expands his (or her) current job description. Teach something that will help him to get promoted within your organization at a later date. Teach him a skill that uses new technology. Or, teach him something that will allow him to be a more skilled leader and manager in the future.
Eric Jacobson
JUNE 11, 2018
Hiring Greatness is the book by David E. Perry and Mark J. Haluska , who combined have closed more than 1,800 hiring search projects. In their book, the authors share their guide for how to attract, recruit and retain star executives.
Eric Jacobson
SEPTEMBER 10, 2018
My favorite Nelson Mandela leadership quotes are: "Lead from the back--and let others believe they are in front." "The The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall." "It It always seems impossible until it's done." "I I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles." I've learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
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