Greetings Leaders!

I had an interesting discussion the other day with some executives about Organizational Change Management. They asked what I thought Change Management meant to me. It sounds like it would be an obvious answer, but it is not as obvious as it might first appear.

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Greetings Leaders!

This is obviously a very odd title for a leadership blog, as we should all strive to become better leaders. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that we should make that our goal. Why not? As I read other blogs or posts on leadership, everyone has a different opinion on what good leadership looks like. So let me ask you, if you are striving to become a good leader, what does that mean? How do you translate this into meaningful goals that are measurable and achievable.

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Another pushup? Doing the Impossible!

Greetings Leaders!

I am pragmatic. Sometimes, things or situations are impossible. However, there are times when “impossible” is an excuse. When I was bit younger going through the US Navy’s Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS), things sometimes got rough. The drill sergeants knew how to get everything out of us, and more. The drop out rate (Drop On Request – DOR) was somewhere about 50%.

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Greetings Leaders!

This weekend, we pay tribute to our fallen heroes. In our country, we have the luxury of freedom of speech. I know not everyone believes in the military policies our country pursues. Yet, I feel so ashamed of people who live in this great country, who do not see fit to pay tribute to those who gave their life for the freedoms they have.

If you do not believe that our country was won, paid for with the blood of men and women, then you do not understand the realities of freedom. There is always someone waiting to to take your freedoms away, so that their idea of what is right can be put in place. Countries that are ruled by despots and dictators do not happen by accident. Why do people in N. Korea or Cuba live in darkness? Because they are not willing to pay the price. We are fortunate there were Americans who came before us, who were willing to gvve their lives to ensure that we can live a country where we have liberty.

Today, less than 1 in 10 people have served in the US military, the great majority are over 60. Today, just 0.3% of our population serve, so that the other 99.7% can enjoy the freedoms we have. Pretty astounding numbers when you think about it.

Take some time this weekend – to thank those who gave their life… for you.

Thanks to those… who have served, who were injured and who paid the ultimate price for my freedom.

JT

Greetings Leaders!

I belong to a leadership group on Linked In where this question was asked: “Are Women Leaders Better Than Men? The discussion generated over 1,000 comments, so obviously it is something many people have an interest in. My take? In my humble opinion, unless you are trying to sell books or fund a research project, this question is a waste of time.

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Greetings Leaders,

As a leader, I often hope to achieve consensus by working with individuals and groups to get them to a common ground. However, sometimes this just isn’t possible. I recently had several experiences where I had to push an issue until several people got upset with me. If you are practicing true leadership, sometimes you’re going to have to make people uncomfortable.

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Greetings Leaders!

Today I had the privilege of attending a 4 hour session on Workplace Violence. The session was good, but in my opinion, not good enough. The topics covered were pretty much what you would expect. There were the 911 calls, the videos, THE video about how to recognize potential warning signs and of course the obligatory review of the Workplace Violence Prevention Policy. While well intended, I don’t think the organization takes this seriously enough and there are more steps that the leadership could undertake to battle workplace violence.

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Greetings Leaders!

I was reading Scott McKain’s Viewpoint where he told a heartwarming story of a woman who was truly a good Samaritan and it got me thinking about an experience I had a few months ago. I was driving to San Francisco with my wife for a weekend get away. We were coming up to the toll booth on I80 as we approached the Oakland Bay Bridge, so I began to dig into my pockets for the $4 that would allow us to get to the city. As I pulled up to the toll booth, the collector had a smile on his face and motioned with his hands to keep going. I stuck my money further out the window and he turned to look down the bridge at a car pulling away. He smiled. I smiled. He waved me on again… then just said… “They paid for you. Have a nice day.”

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Greetings Leaders!

I read a great article by Tom Schulte at Linked2Leadership called Pray For Your Organization. I thought it was a great article but as usual, it got me thinking about a quote from an unknown source that say:

Pray like it depends on God, but work as if it depends on you

I am Christian, but understand that almost all other religions pray so this is good advice for anyone. Instead of just praying, why don’t we all start living our faith. I don’t mean trying to convert people. I’m talking about something that Islam, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and Jewish faiths all have in common; Compassion, Tolerance, Love, Service, Diligence, and Honor.

So, have a problem at work? A team that is fighting? Someone who needs counseling? A loner? Bad leadership? Well… praying might help… but perhaps YOU are the answer. So… go DO something.

Live Your Faith…

JT

For those readers who are Christian, please read the book of James where he admonishes those who will pray for the poor, but not help them get their needs met.

Greetings Leaders!

As a leader, it is important that you understand this one thing. Everyone searches for significance. A leader, helps others in this quest. We can talk all we want about profits, excellence and efficiencies, but when you get right down to it, these are just side notes that distract us from what we all want. To matter. To know that what we do matters. If you help others in this quest, you cannot help but succeed in whatever you are doing.

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