Here you’ll find a collection of my weekly articles, which you can share in your company newsletter! (Just give me credit, please.) They are lessons I’ve learned along my leadership flight path, and are presented to you in the form of short, inspiring articles that you can read in a minute. If you want Leadership Tips delivered to your inbox each week, click this:
- Be Careful – When you Focus, You Filter
Have you ever watched a newborn baby take in his world? His wide eyes are looking at everything, but are not focused on anything yet. What he sees must be - Six Ways to Deal with Distractions
Distractions happen! Do you welcome anything that breaks the routine? Or do you hate getting interrupted when you’re on a roll? It usually depends on what you’re doing and how - Optimize Your Workforce Talent
People – they are your most expensive and powerful business assets. Optimize your workforce talent and you create skilled leaders, dream teams, and productive and loyal employees. That will launch - Don’t Eliminate Conflict
Great efforts are made to reduce or eliminate conflict. Maybe it would be helpful to change our perspective. Don’t eliminate conflict. Learn to see its benefits. Try conflict appreciation for - Don’t Follow the Golden Rule!
Here’s a lesson I learned early on – don’t follow the golden rule! As a young manager, I wanted to reward my employees because they reached a lofty sales goal. - Show Interest and You’ll Get Interest
Here is the key to getting more out of the people around you. Take an interest. Be interested. Show interest and you’ll get interest. My clients who are business managers - Customers Are NOT Always Right
I managed a group of tourist attractions and we strived for excellent customer service. So I told my employees that “the customer is always right.” Sounded like good management at - How Not to be a Sleazy Salesperson
Eeeewwww! There is such a negative stigma about “salespeople.” Why? Because they are often seen as gushing, insincere, and shallow. They care about you until you turn down their deal - How to Get Your Confidence On
It is one of those traits that empowers you when you have it and undermines you when you don’t. You perform better when you feel self-confident, and your team performs - A Counterintuitive Guide to Improvement
When you think about improvement, do you focus on weaknesses? Here’s a counterintuitive (and much more rewarding) guide to improvement. Ask most people what about their lives they’d like to - Aspirations, Not Resolutions
Many business leaders have given up on New Year’s Resolutions. Why? Studies show that goals don’t work, so I recommend you try aspirations, not resolutions. They say the top reasons - Speedy Year-End Leadership Review
My clients usually conduct a review of their people every year. But to really get the flock flying in formation and ready for the year ahead, take time for a - Great Leaders Give Presents of Presence
The greatest holiday gift or year-end bonus might not come in a package. Great leaders give presents of their presence – and they do it all year long. Employees won’t - Listen With Your Eyes
Listening with your eyes as well as your ears is so important. Whether you’re the boss or the employee, the parent or the spouse, you’d better be a good listener, - Stretch Out of Your Comfort Zone
For constant improvement, take a lesson from a baby – stretch out of your comfort zone. Why does a baby learn to walk? She gets bored. How does she learn - Speaking Clearly – How to Make Your Point
As a leader, you have to communicate, persuade, and sell your ideas – and you do it all day every day. Maybe you’re speaking one-to-one with an employee. Or, you - Appreciation – Lavish it On!
Here’s what I think: Nobody ever goes to bed at night feeling over-appreciated. Think about that. Do you? Neither do I. As a leader, this is helpful to know. (As - How to Motivate Anybody (and It’s Free)
Good leaders know how to motivate anybody. Whether you manage high-paid employees, minimum wagers, or even volunteers, they are all motivated by the same things. It’s easier to get cooperation - You Reveal Your Leadership Style When You Play
Sometimes you can get excellent leadership lessons from a fun little teambuilding game. If you think about it, you reveal your leadership style when you play. And play isn’t justContinue readingYou Reveal Your Leadership Style When You Play
- Teamwork and the Weird Thing about Harmony
Your people all have different roles and personalities, yet you want them working together. It would be easier if they all saw eye-to-eye, but that’s not how it works. I - Frustrating, yet Fortunate Failure
Waaaaa! She was really looking forward to the taste. She was so careful, but she dropped her ice cream cone. The specifics don’t matter. As a manager, you’ve been there. - How to Increase Skill Retention
Whether you want to increase skill retention in your employees or yourself, the secret is the same – periodic repetition of the basics. Wouldn’t it be nice if you trained - Think about Stress as a Verb
When I’m delivering conflict resolution training, I ask participants about the meaning of stress, They give me answers like tension, trouble, misery, or lack of control. These factors are outside - 5 Ways to Avoid the Great Resignation
Managers have always worked hard to keep their business fully staffed with trained people. Trying to keep just the right number of employees in the right positions to run your - Stay Focused – You’re the Pilot
I was soaring my hang glider above Cape Kiwanda on the Oregon Coast. But I didn’t stay focused. The sun cast a sleek shadow of my thirty-foot wingspan on the - Customers or Employees – Who’s More Important?
Customer service is very important to business success. So as a leadership consultant and employee trainer, I’m asked to provide customer service training frequently. Employers want their employees to serveContinue readingCustomers or Employees – Who’s More Important?
- Creative Appreciation to Motivate Employees
As a business manager, you already know that appreciation is the number one employee motivator. But saying “Thank you” once in a while doesn’t quite cut it. Let’s talk about - The Simplest Way to Build Rapport
As a business leader, you know that building rapport paves the way to smoother relationships. It helps you benefit more from the people you contact. Want to know the simplest - It’s Easy to Improve Your Workplace Culture
Workplace culture is the buzzword these days, but what’s that mean? It means your people look forward to coming to work on Monday. It means that they enjoy their job - Customer Service Skills – Avoid the #1 Problem
Customer service skills are on many business leaders’ minds, so I am asked to deliver customer service training frequently. I recently asked employees in a department store what they thoughtContinue readingCustomer Service Skills – Avoid the #1 Problem
- Level Up People Skills in Your Team
You want your people to be friendly and service-minded to each other and to your customers. A smooth running operation is desirable, so people skills are important. Do you find - Don’t Treat Employees Like Employees
What makes good employees want to work for you? Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s the money. Employees grow accustomed to their wages very quickly, even after getting a raise. - Leadership Behaviors Affect Staff Development
Your leadership behaviors impact staff development and employee performance. Let me illustrate with this example from the world of grade school education. A pool of students, who all tested theContinue readingLeadership Behaviors Affect Staff Development
- Invert Your Organizational Chart and Grow
Your business is a living organism, much like a tree. Consider your organizational chart. Does it look like a pyramid, with the boss on top and the workers on the - This is Better than Employee Engagement
Employee engagement is the latest go-to topic in the leadership training world. Engagement is important, but when I think of it, I think of a transmission in a car. When - To be a Good Leader Picture Yourself Walking
No matter how busy you are as a leader, don’t picture yourself running. Show confidence as a leader by thinking like a drummer, and picture yourself walking. Have you everContinue readingTo be a Good Leader Picture Yourself Walking
- First Impressions are Overvalued
You know the old saying, “You only get one chance to make a great first impression?” Good first impressions are critical in your business and personal relationships, right? I disagree! - Don’t be Fooled by Your Perception
In business leadership (and in life) you witness, you experience, so think you know. But do you really? Don’t be fooled by your perception! I’ll illustrate this with an old - Don’t Get Back to It – Rise Above Normal!
For business managers, COVID was a tough challenge. As a leader, it’s easy for you to glamorize and idolize pre-COVID normal, to long for it, and wait for it to - How Not to Find Solutions
My nephew, Jared was four years old when he moved to Oregon. One day, I took him on a walk. We were looking for mushrooms, I explained. I told him - How Not to Negotiate – Make This Mistake
Whether you’re a leader or not, you need negotiation skills. Sometimes you might blow it, so it’s good to understand why. Here’s how not to negotiate. Of course, you want - How to Bring Harmony to Group Discord
Imagine that you are running (or sitting in) a meeting and you’re trying to reach a consensus on a pending project or an important action item. Ideally, everyone would chip - How to Ruin an Apology
Sometimes it happens – you’re blindsided by someone or something that upsets you and you don’t respond with elegance and class (like you usually do.) You wish you could rewind - Six Ways to Thrive Despite Obstacles
There is a solitary English daisy growing up through a pavement crack in my driveway. Actually, it’s thriving. It intrigued me so I stopped to appreciate it and see what - Drowning in Leadership and Teamwork Gaffes
Leaders should lead, teams should work together, and preparations should be made ahead of time. Well, Bruce and I took a “relaxing rafting trip” down the Rio Reventazon in Costa - Jazz Up Your Teamwork in a Snap
In my leadership development work, I find insight from many areas of my life. When I sang with a jazz ensemble, I was amazed to find how many things I - Gather Secret Shopper Intel for Free
Hey leaders – want to improve your customer service and your bottom line? I’ll tell you how you can gather secret shopper intel for free. Leadership trainers sometimes get jobs - What Success Really Feels Like
Think of a successful business leader that you admire. He or she probably makes it look effortless, even flawless. Success looks so easy from the outside. But, let’s talk about - The High Cost of Blame
I learned the high cost of blame when I was a lending officer and needed approval for a large loan. The loan committee turned it down, so I had to - Choose the Best Applicants with These Tricks
When you interview job applicants, they always try to make themselves look perfect for the job, similar to the way a first date tries to impress you. But it’s bestContinue readingChoose the Best Applicants with These Tricks
- The True Cost to Replace an Employee
As a leader, you face business expenses that can blindside you. The cost of replacing an employee is higher than you think! Assume you hired a poor choice ninety days - How to Squeeze in Professional Development
Most leaders know that by lifting their people up, their business will soar. That’s the best way to grow your business. Leadership training is important, but the question is how - Prepare for Questions Applicants Will Ask
As a leader, if you’re hiring you need to attract applicants to your business. You probably already have your candidate interview questions in mind. Remember, you’re being interviewed too. Prepare - Here’s THE Most Important Leadership Skill
If you had to pick one, what is the most important leadership skill in your business? What would it be? Communication? Organization? Delegation? Motivation? Flexibility? Creativity? Feedback? Of course, you - Four Ways to Inspire Employees
As a leader, you can increase business performance if you figure out how to inspire employees. The most important way is to model your company’s mission – show your people - The #1 Thing that will Grow Your Business
Traditional advice for leaders to grow their business is plentiful. It’s all over the web and fills the pages of business success books. It tells you things like: Have a - Here’s the Best Solution for Workplace Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes – even leaders! As a business coach, I often hear about a poor choice my client made. He only tells me because I’ll keep his confidence. HeContinue readingHere’s the Best Solution for Workplace Mistakes
- Stop Giving Feedback – Do This Instead
As a manager, what do you think about giving feedback to your employees? Do you look forward to giving it? More importantly, do they look forward to getting it? Not - 5 Keys to Adaptability
As a leader, you’re flying your business by the seat of your pants through turbulence every day. You need to know how to increase adaptability. Although “winging it” may have - Dialogue is Better than Discussion
Business leaders can always learn more about communication. Like when we converse with another person – at work, at home, or socially – we may call the conversation a dialogue - The Power of Teamwork
My business clients ask for new ways to demonstrate the power of teamwork. Here’s one you can use as a leader. Look at this picture briefly, and then turn away. - Refresh Burned Out Employees
Have you noticed your employees are distant, detached, exhausted, irritable, sick, and/or depressed? Those are signs of employee burnout, and I see it more these days. Let’s talk about simple - Leaders Need to Know Dining Etiquette
I was at the final banquet of the National Speakers’ Association Conference. The room was set with a formal flair appropriate for some of the big-name speakers in attendance, with - Your Questions and Your Quest
Questions and quest – what is the link between the two? Asking the right questions will reveal your quest – in leadership and in life. Your quest is your journey, - Your Leadership Style Behind the Scenes
Leadership is difficult! There are a lot of moving parts that go into your leadership style. It helps to stand back and watch yourself from various perspectives. Let’s peel back - Do Employee Surveys Demotivate Your People?
Managers and business owners alike are struggling with their workforce. Trying to fill open positions is hard enough, but trying to keep your current employees engaged and productive so they - Spark Creativity in Your Business
Creativity does not come easily to everyone. But during these dreary days, it may be just the workplace inspiration you and your people need. Let’s talk about how to spark - Six Ways to Tune Up Business Performance
Great business leaders refresh their basic leadership skills often to tune up business performance. It’s part of life-long learning. It’s part of improving…and part of being effective. You won’t have - Get More Applicants – Without Increasing Wages
Everywhere I go these days I see “help wanted” and “we’re hiring” signs. Businesses report there are not enough applicants to fill the open jobs. Leaders think the problem isContinue readingGet More Applicants – Without Increasing Wages
- Relator Roles and Knee-Jerk Responses
My mother and I were on the phone. She was telling me about a difficulty she was having with someone else. It had her very upset. I was being a - Advice about Advice
It’s like getting hand-me-down clothing. When I advise businesses about management development, I think about it that way. And this also applies to advising your employees, co-workers, or even spouse. - Mistakes – Get Over Them
I made a mistake. – it can happen. But then I made a bigger mistake – I kept thinking about it. Here’s a lesson on mistakes – get over them! - 7 Ways to Show Grace Under Pressure
Grace is an attractive leadership quality – it’s pleasing and elegant. It exudes civility and kindness. A leader exhibiting grace seems calm and confident from the inside out. He or - 5 Reasons to Get a Business Coach
“Why should get a business coach?” I get asked that a LOT! Well, first I bring expertise from a long and varied background in business management. Plus, I am someone - How to Increase Your Energy
Want to know how to increase your energy? Where do you get energy, anyway? Is it merely a diet, exercise, and sleep? I don’t think so. You get energized by - Don’t Avoid Turbulence
As a leader, do you try to avoid turbulence and conflict? Well, when I first learned to fly hang gliders, I liked predictable conditions. Smooth, stable air – that’s what - Need to Lead on the Fly? Get Prepared!
Leadership is not for wussies! It’s not simple – nor is it stable. Sometimes you need to lead on the fly. So get ready for it. If you’re prepared for - Networking for Introverts
Do you cringe at the thought of attending one of those networking events? Too many business professionals would rather throw money into advertising when there is a less expensive way - The Power of Your Smile
Consider the power of your smile. Recently, I received this email: “Hi Chris, I saw you in *** on Friday, and am sorry to say I did not recognize you - Think You’re Being Pushed?
What happens when you think you’re being pushed? Try this fun little demonstration when you’re discussing conflict at a staff meeting: Get a volunteer, we’ll call him Jack. Stand in
