Archive for the ‘Communication’ Category
Taking the Long View
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010How a Big Company Can Feel Small
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
For years, I had the privilege of coaching the CEO of a national mortgage company with 6000 employees. He then went on to serve as the CEO of the national bank that owned that mortgage company, where he was responsible for leading and serving the 13,000 team members. And for the last year and a half, I’ve had the pleasure of working side by side with this past client, as he is now a CEO Mentor and Executive Coach here at Building Champions.
His name is Jerry Baker.
Over the past 10 years or so, we have enjoyed coaching hundreds of those who served under Jerry’s leadership. These clients have ranged in roles from executives to mid level managers, as well as many of the company’s sales force. What we have seen and heard is that almost everyone in this company really knew and cared for Jerry. And most of them felt that Jerry knew and cared for them.
Conflict: Friend or Foe?
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
This post is dedicated to my friend Patrick Lencioni. His fantastic model for teamwork in his bestselling book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team helped me to better understand the value of conflict. I strongly suggest you read this book.
In The Five Dysfunctions, Patrick says that many teams struggle with the fear of conflict. They do not understand that conflict in the pursuit of truth and improvement is a good thing. They believe it to be mean and bad, instead of loving and beneficial. This struggle exists not only in the workplace, but also in marriages and other close relationships.
If people are not equipped to engage in healthy conflict, then they either fight in unhealthy ways or they hold back their feelings and impede the growth of those around them.
Is it Really That Bad?
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
Over the last few years, I’ve learned more about the concept of Emotional Intelligence, or EQ. Daniel Goleman describes those with a high EQ as having “abilities such as being able to motivate oneself and persist in the face of frustrations; to control impulse and delay gratification; to regulate one’s moods and keep distress from swamping the ability to think; to empathize and to hope.”
Last week, I had a day that tested my EQ. Actually, it began the night before.
I had planned to get to bed early, so I could get plenty of sleep before waking at 4am to catch a 6am flight with my boys. We were on our way to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to join some of our great friends and teammates for four days of snow fun.
My wife and I got to bed early as planned, and then our phones started to ring at about 10:30pm. Two hours later, we were on our way to see a family member who needed some urgent council. It’s a blessing for us to be able to help, but my plan for a restful night was now shot. By the time I got back to bed, I got maybe an hour of sleep before the alarm went off.
Presents or Presence?
Thursday, December 24th, 2009I think I am starting to fall into the social networking groove. I tweeted earlier today asking those who follow my posts this Leadership and Life Question: What is the most important thing for you to experience or accomplish between now and the year end? I was really asking myself this question, and I thought I would throw it out there for all of you to ponder as well.
So, here is my response: I want to experience pure and complete presence during this Christmas and New Years’ break.
What I want most is to celebrate this very special season by being absolutely present in each and every conversation, and in each and every moment. I am a total mental spaz so this can be very challenging.
