Leaders are readers. And that’s one reason why, when two leaders connect, one of the first questions they will ask is, “So, what are you reading these days?” I love to learn what other leaders are reading, and very often what they share with me ends up on my own reading list. And so, to…
How To Prepare Your Soul For More Effective Leadership In 2026
There will be hundreds of posts readily available this week to help you set new leadership targets for 2026. Today, I want to ask you a very different leadership question: “Is my soul in a better place today than it was a year ago?” For 12 months you’ve been doing the hard work of leadership.…
Practicing ‘Fire Drill Leadership’? Here’s Why Your Impact is Taking a Hit
If everything is an emergency, nothing is an emergency. The truth of this leadership axiom is lost on many leaders who seem to lurch their leadership, and their team, from one panic-riddled crisis to another. I was once on a team led by such a leader. “All hands on deck!”, “Emergency meeting!” and “Everyone into the conference room,…
The Fear Factor: How to Turn Anxiety into Action as a Leader
Whoever coined the phrase “fearless leader” must not have been a leader. Because “fear” and “leadership” go together hand in hand. Talk to any effective leader and they will tell you that fear has been a lifelong companion on their leadership journey. Anytime you push the envelope, launch a new initiative, or stake out new territory, you…
How To Unleash the Power of the Spinal Tap Leadership Principle
Leadership requires “10 out of 10” level performance day in and day out. But there are times when a leader must go even beyond “10 out of 10”. Sometimes a leader must punch their amp up to “11”. Fans of the classic comedy film This is Spinal Tap know exactly what I’m talking about. And…
