Two days ago, at 5:00 AM on a Saturday morning, I found myself already deep into preparation for my 8:00 AM CNN appearance. I was about to discuss the Department of Defense’s recent decision to disband the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS)—a topic that’s both timely and divisive. While I speak … Learn More
We’ve all been in that meeting. Someone shares, “Well, I just spoke with Mitch (the CEO) yesterday, and I can’t share everything he told me, but he did mention…” The room shifts. Eyes roll. Name-dropping your boss is one of the fastest ways to undermine your professional reputation. Yet it happens constantly, creating an unhealthy … Learn More
We’ve all been there. Five people clear their calendars, join a conference room or Zoom call, and settle in for what they hope will be a productive meeting. Then the leader arrives—unfocused, agenda-less, and seemingly convinced that their presence alone justifies monopolizing the conversation. What follows is a painful exercise in organizational inefficiency that costs … Learn More
The problem with SMART goals isn’t that professionals don’t understand the acronym—most can recite “Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound” without missing a beat. The real challenge lies in creating goals that genuinely align with business needs and drive meaningful career advancement for you – the goal creator. The Telephone Game of Goal Setting At the … Learn More
There’s nothing worse than listening to a story that you’ve lost interest in. Or watching a movie that bores you to tears. Or reading a murder mystery novel you’ve already solved in the first chapter. In situations like these, you disconnect, disengage, or put down the book. As a leader, you’ve heard that storytelling is … Learn More
During my time in LA, I witnessed something extraordinary at a comedy club that transformed how I coach leaders. The host announced a surprise guest: George Carlin. He was conducting “spring training” – warming up material before his tour. The legend walked on stage carrying a stack of notecards, each containing a single joke. He … Learn More
