Not long ago, I was privileged to attend a presentation by Dan Sullivan, the founder of Strategic Coach, a business coaching program for entrepreneurs. I’m a huge fan of his writing and know a few people who have participated in his programs. It was fun and enlightening to hear his perspectives on things. One of the areas I concentrate on with my clients is ‘just because you can, doesn’t always
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin I recently put up that quote in both my home office and session space. I am not big on quotes and inspirational pictures hanging on the wall; I don’t have anything against it, it just isn’t me. However, this quote seemed to really resonate with some of my personal goals this year, and it will help to keep it
Recently, I have been asked to provide more talks to mid-level managers of organizations, with the intention for these teams to understand what the leadership team has been working on, become more strategic in their thinking, and learn how to be better managers and departmental leaders. One of the examples I have been using that seems to really resonate is what I call the “Victim Triangle”. Almost 40 years ago,
I like to use the analogy that in an organization, the visionary can be compared to the composer, the COO/Integrator is the symphony conductor, and each member of the leadership team is head chair of a section, like the woodwinds or percussion. The composer may provide the music and direction, but the conductor coordinates all the sections and appears to only wave a tiny wand in the air. The music
In the 1980s, there was a popular Muppet character named Kermit the Frog. This colorful hand puppet had a charming personality, a good heart, and was green. He sang a somewhat self-indulgent, self-loathing song that went “It’s not easy being green…” (See video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRZ-IxZ46ng) I can hear you saying, “Kluver…what are you smoking? What on earth does this have to do with leadership or management?” I get it. It
This is the final post of a series that addresses the notion of why it’s lonely at the top for most senior leaders. Additionally, this series explains how a trusted advisor can help and what a typical engagement with my clients looks like. Once we’ve clearly defined the client’s vision of success, we’re ready to begin the next phase – brainstorming, digging in, and setting goals. A few of the
In this fourth part of our leadership advisory blog series, we’re going to start getting into the weeds on where and how to begin defining what success looks like for a specific leader. What I mean by this is that the success of each engagement is different for each leader. Together, we’ll clarify what success looks like on this individual’s terms and identify the highest and best use of our
Over the last couple posts, we’ve been delving into some of the very real, but rarely discussed, challenges for senior leaders. We moved on to talk about our initial conversations and meetings, as well as the role I play as a trusted advisor and collaborator. This week, we’ll review what a typical engagement looks like and the method to my madness. We’ll also touch on my approach to contracts and
Over the last couple posts, we’ve been delving into some of the very real, but rarely discussed, challenges for senior leaders. We moved on to talk about our initial conversations and meetings, as well as the role I play as a trusted advisor and collaborator. This week, we’ll review what a typical engagement looks like and the method to my madness. We’ll also touch on my approach to contracts and
A discrete, yet quickly growing aspect of my business is my confidential advisory work with senior leaders. This has always been 100% referral-based. Today, I work with people around the country and in the UK. The amazing leaders with whom I work have typically approached me to help them address a specific challenge they’re facing. They needed help with a particular problem, but the reality is that the primary issue
Entrepreneurial Advisors (EA) is a strategy, facilitation, and coaching firm focused on empowering individuals and teams to identify and achieve their dreams. This is achieved by using proven tools, candid facilitation, and experienced collaboration. EA becomes invested with each individual client – so much that EA bases its success on the client’s success. Working with leaders every day is a humbling experience; to help play a small role in focusing each client’s passion, drive, and success is a genuine honor.
