Every decision we make as leaders defines who we are. So, if you want to be a leader who has a positive influence and substantive impact, here are five decisions that can make you or break you.
Read moreTop 10 Ways to Derail Momentum & Growth
Every organization that is experiencing success one day can find itself floundering the next. By understanding these ten derailers, we can more effectively prevent our organizations from going off the tracks.
Read moreCX Part 2: 3 Tips to Enhance Your Customer Experience [VIDEO]
Remember the battle of the white and gold vs. blue and black dress? That conflict was due to our differing perceptions. Likewise, customers’ perceptions of your service or product will define if they become raving fans or give you a one-star review. Here are three simple ways you can improve your customer experience.
Read more5 Reasons to “Cancel” Looking for Perfection in Your Team
When it comes to our teams and hiring, rather than too quickly "canceling" someone who is not perfect, perhaps we need to "cancel" looking for a leader who is free of every blemish. Here are five unintended consequences of searching for the perfect leader.
Read moreTrip and Fall: 6 Common Reactions When a Leader Makes a Mistake
On a recent walk, I tripped and fell. And not just a little stumble! I realized that my reactions immediately after were very similar to the reactions of a leader who has a behavioral, verbal, or emotional trip and fall. Do any of these reactions feel familiar to you?
Read moreStress: How to Successfully Manage Stress [VIDEO]
It is no secret that stress impacts every part of our world. In fact, 1 million workers are absent daily due to stress! Here are practical tips on how to successfully manage the stress in your life.
Read moreEnergized or Drained? 5 Way to Know If Your Leadership Vision Is Vibrant
There are two kinds of people in every organization, those who are passionate, excited, and energized about the vision, and those who are not. So, how do you differentiate an energized leader from a drained one? Here are five ways to know if your leadership vision is vibrant.
Read moreRising Out of Ruins: How Leaders Can Get Better Rather Than Bitter
Being fired. Receiving a cancer diagnosis. Having a child with mental health issues. Experiencing the effects of a cheating spouse. Ruin comes in all shapes and sizes. If you are feeling a bit like a bomb was dropped on you, consider these thoughts on how to come out stronger.
Read moreConflict: Stop Reacting and Start Responding [VIDEO]
In conflict, many people would agree with the phrase, “Stop reacting and start responding!” But most leaders don't know how to actually do that. Here are three concepts to help you stop reacting to conflict and start responding appropriately.
Read moreHorrible Bosses: 8 Lessons I Learned from Some of the Worst Bosses
I have worked for some exceptional people in my life, and I have also worked for some that were not. But even from the worst of them, I learned what never to do and what to do more of. Here are 8 lessons I learned from some of the worst bosses.
Read more5 Helpful Ways to Reframe Stress
“Americans are among the most stressed people in the world.” That was the title of an article in the New York Times in April 2019. And that was before the pandemic and its political conflicts and mask wars existed! So yes, it is fair to say we are stressed. Here are five helpful ways to reframe stress and move towards solutions.
Read more3 Low-Cost, High-Impact Ways to Create, Retain or Restore Your Credibility and Trust
Over the past few years, there has been extraordinary relational damage in many towns, schools, organizations, and churches – trust and credibility are hanging on by a very thin string. Here are three low-cost, high-impact ways to create, retain, or restore your credibility and trust.
Read more12 Signs the Wheels Are Falling Off Your Organization
Recently, the front left tire fell off my daughter’s car and flew across four lanes of traffic! Slowly, with a little corrosion, the tire just worked its way off! That same thing can happen to organizations. Here are 12 warning signs that the wheels may be falling off your organization, and what you can do to prevent it.
Read moreDecision-Making: 4 Aspects of Making Great Decisions [VIDEO]
Don’t you wish you could have your own Magic 8-Ball that would tell you how to make the perfect decision? Although that isn’t possible, here are four time-tested aspects of decision-making that leaders can focus on to make great decisions.
Read more12 New Habits for a New Year
“The most practical way to change who you are is to change what you do.” - James Clear. As we head into a new year, here are 12 habits worth starting to grow yourself and improve the lives of those around you.
Read more8 Leadership Lessons from Home Alone this Christmas
We can learn from so many different sources - good experiences, difficult events, people young and old, reading books, and even from watching movies. This Christmas, here are 8 leadership lessons from one of America’s most popular holiday movies – Home Alone!
Read more“Silos Are Only Good for Farms!”
Growing up, I always loved silos – towers of strength across the landscape. But as a leader, I’ve learned that organizational silos are not towers of strength, rather signs of weakness that can fuel conflict. Here are five ways to prevent departmental silos in your organization.
Read more4 Great Reasons to “Fight” for a Compelling Vision
While there are plenty of bad examples of “fighting” these days, there are also good reasons to stand up for meaningful vision and values. Here are four great reasons to “fight.”
Read moreHow to Leverage the Experience & Passion of Young Leaders
For many of us, someone's investment made a difference in our leadership, and now we have the opportunity to do the same for others. Here are four ways to leverage the experience and passion of young leaders.
Read more5 Lessons from 20 Years of Consulting & Coaching
Twenty years ago we launched what is now called The Center Consulting Group! We have helped pastors stay in the race, assisted organizations in overcoming complex challenges, walked business owners through succession, and coached individuals to lead with humility and courage. As I reflect on the past 20 years, here are a few of the lessons I have learned.
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