Okay, I’ll admit it. Sometimes I can be a bit of a curmudgeon. Sometimes I like things a certain way. However, I’ve typically thought things through and am set in my decision. This old way of thinking was particularly strong when it came to allowing electronic devices in my leadership strategy or coaching sessions. To be candid, though, I’ve undergone an evolution in thinking regarding the use of technology in
With the warm sun coming down on my face, I sat in the grass, tired and shivering as I watched runner after runner cross the finish line. Many of these athletes raised their hands in victory, while some doubled over, bursting into tears. Some had loved ones rush up to support them. More than once, I heard an unbelievably excited “Mommy!” or “Daddy!” then watched a small child come running
When appropriate, one of the exercises I do with my teams has jokingly become known as “Butts in Seats”. This phrase began during my work with an organization that owns and purchases dental practices; however, these ideas fit for anyone with multiple “customers” or “clients”. For this group and many others, there are plateaus and stairsteps in growth – a common pattern in rapidly developing organizations that are proactively building
Not long ago, I had a coaching call with a senior leader of an organization I have been working with for a couple years. The company has turned some major corners, overcome big obstacles, transitioned to having the right people in the right seats, and turned their bottom line around. In other words, things are running well. It’s great, but it could be better. This team has done a great
Recently, Reka and I facilitated our first offsite couples retreat. We learned that we have huge opportunities for improvement; however, for the most part, it was a spectacular experience. Last night, the two of us sat on our back deck, ate dinner, and started the first day of a multi-day debrief. Sometimes, I call this process a “postmortem” examination. Whatever you call it, taking the time to review what worked,
In Paris on April 23, 1910, retired US President Theodore Roosevelt delivered one of his greatest speeches. He closed with the quote at the end of this blog. Reka recently asked me to join her for a day-and-a-half-long workshop based on the work of Brené Brown. Since we’re now providing and refining couples retreats of our own, I thought it would be fun to participate. We have seen Brené Brown
After a couple years of working together, some of my clients start becoming more independent by handling their own session facilitation while also participating in the meeting. Sometimes, it may begin with every other Quarterly Objective or maybe they ask for my help with their Annual Goals. If this is a direction the team wants to go, I fully support it and will do everything I can to help it
Last week, I mentioned that I recently completed my first marathon – a trail run through the mud, rain, and wind. It was an extraordinary experience, but the weather and conditions were challenges, to say the least. To be completely open and honest, I didn’t start the event in the best headspace. In fact, I was downright surly. Reka and I experienced some frustration when we got there – things
“I believe success is achieved by ordinary people with extraordinary determination.” – Zig Ziglar Jim Collins coined the acronym “BHAG,” short for “Big Hairy Audacious Goal”. I set my first BHAG when I joined the Boy Scouts: becoming an Eagle Scout. I also wanted to do it in the shortest amount of time my troop had seen in 30 years. Combined, this sort of thinking was unreasonable. There were many
My wife, Reka, and I were recently at a conference in San Diego, where I met Steadman Graham, most known for being Oprah’s significant other. It was a small conference organized by Steve Farber, an author and friend of mine. Steve wrote The Radical Leap and his new book, Love Is Just Damn Good Business, which will be released later this year. The myriad of conference presenters, ranging from CEOs
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.
