Whether it’s a manager having trust in a staff member, employees having trust in their leader or leaders having trust in their decisions
As a child, I had a tremendous fear of falling. I would climb a tree and couldn’t trust that the branch wouldn’t break. I climbed cranes, cliffs and buildings, and was always afraid that my footing would slip and I would fall. Perhaps that fear was grounded in the fact that I had already fallen…
Be clear about what you will need to sacrifice to achieve your plans
One of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t stop home for a quick visit more often when my kids were young and my wife was stuck at home minding them. Because I was so tied up in managing and growing my business, I missed family meals, vacations and days off. If you’re a leader…
Unfortunately, organizations regularly set goals for their employees and rarely celebrate when they are achieved
How often do you celebrate your successes? When was the last time you took the time to reflect on an achievement or treated yourself because you accomplished something that didn’t seem possible before? If you’re like most people, you’re so caught up in the daily routine that you probably don’t stop and celebrate. We work…
You have to believe in yourself
Believe it or not, your performance is limited. However, the limitations on what you can with your life, your job or your sport are primarily defined by you and not by outside factors. Take for example Roger Bannister, who ran the first sub-four-minute mile in 1954. He had been told – as had all athletes…
Numerous studies have shown that regular daily exercise can reduce stress, improve mental health and increase immunity
My brother Rob – a 50-something entrepreneur living in Ireland – annoyed me the other day when he told me he’s on track to be the same weight and almost as strong as he was when he was in his 20s. Rob and I have had ongoing competitions since the day Rob was born, which…
Business leaders should help build up capacity through mentorship and coaching, then start looking to spend at Indigenous suppliers
Jeff and William approached me in the fall of 2019 about helping with their ecotourism business. They started the business in 2014 and wanted help growing it and getting more clients. They felt if they could share their traditions and culture with the world, they could provide meaningful jobs for the youth of their community.…
Given everything we’ve been coping with, it’s not surprising that job performance has suffered at times
It has been challenging for many of us to deliver consistent, stellar performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given everything we’ve been coping with, it’s not surprising that job performance has suffered at times. Even though there are good reasons for it, it doesn’t make us feel any better about ourselves. Failing to live up to…
The cry for help from managers in the public sector is growing. As the lockdowns continue, accountability is slipping
Jan was on the verge of tears as we discussed the challenges with her team. “It doesn’t matter how many times I ask Sylvia to get the work done, she always has an excuse for why she can’t deliver,” she said. “On top of that, she doesn’t want to come into the office and wants…
While it’s difficult to determine whether prayer works for our customers and staff, research shows that praying is good for our health
Sometimes I catch myself thinking about my clients or staff and saying a quick prayer for them. It’s a habit I’ve fallen into over the past 35 years of managing people and running businesses. I wonder if it makes a difference. The reason I can’t say definitively whether prayer works is that I haven’t seen…
Treat others the way you would like to be treated, know why you’re selling and put together a good plan that you’re willing and able to follow
Like many entrepreneurs and sales professionals, I’ve been selling since I was a teenager. Over the years, I’ve hawked worms, newspapers, pins, chocolate bars and books door to door, knives and lamps on street corners, vitamins and herbs in retail and online, and, eventually, advertising, as well as coaching services and training to companies. I…