We are entering what could be one of the largest spikes in economic growth we’ve seen in a generation or two. Pent up demand and cash continues to explode. How will we respond when growth hits us? We have three choices: Give It: Stomp on the gas. Work harder. Push.Give In: Duck for cover. Tread […]
If our strategy is to hire only stars, it will be expensive and we will have a tough time finding people. We will also have a tough time when the stars stumble in the face of new things. Often stars stick rigidly to what made them stars. And there are always lots of new things. […]
Most gatekeepers–those who would keep us out–are powerless. In the short term they throw up obstacles. But in the long term they’ve got nothing. Secretly they know it, are simply afraid, and deep down want us in. The only real gatekeeper–the one who can actually keep us out of anything–is inside us. Secretly we know […]
If life is a game, then most of us are racking up points…on the wrong net. Even the most enlightened of us fixate on getting more money, recognition, and safety. We believe that we should maximize these so that we can–at last–have more happiness, freedom, and growth. “When I have this many dollars/this position/this situation, […]
It’s not market share, innovation, or strategy. It’s not earning per share, EBITDA, or another round of funding. It’s also not left-wing, right-wing, or centrist policies. Though it sounds like Sunday school treacle, we wise leaders know the way to sustained happiness, growth, and freedom. It is to help others achieve sustained happiness, growth, and […]
Lack of progress anywhere at work and in life feels bad not because there’s something broken but because we fear we can’t keep up or handle it. But we can. In your corner, Mike PS: No, it’s not those other people’s actions or attitudes. It’s us, the leaders. PPS: If we pause for a […]
This is the thing about growth: our businesses cannot reach beyond our ability to run them. Any lack of business growth is a good sign that we need to grow. Luckily, we can measure and improve our leadership capacity. We need only a bit of self-trust to get going. Learn and go grow, good leader. In […]
In growing businesses, people have to wear many hats. This is doable when the company is new, smaller, and the volume of work is manageable. But wearing many hats soon becomes inefficient and ineffective. This is true because the volume of work in each hat approaches and even surpasses that of a full time role. […]
Of course, raising our hand to be a leader means we are also raising our hand to develop ourselves into leaders. And this means becoming the kind of person that (many) others will follow and continue to follow in good times and bad. Let’s go, leader! In your corner, Mike Today’s photo credit: […]
Need someone to change for the better? Nothing is more powerful than believing that they can and telling them so. In your corner, Mike PS: We can’t really fake this. They can tell when we’re just sayin’ it. But we don’t have to be 100% certain. Just mostly certain. I know you can find a way to […]