A note to young leaders. Exertion comes in two forms: voluntarily through ambition; and involuntarily through adversity. We laud the one and loathe the other. But to every prize there is a price. And to every price, there is a prize. The prize of ambition is fulfilled desire. The prize of adversity is wisdom and […]
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A note to young leaders. Take care not to judge the cultural fit of a new team member by basing it solely on their interactions with you. We humans are political creatures. We are innately good at managing up. A more reliable test of character is how they interact with peers and subordinates. That’s why […]
Read More… from Assessing Team Culture: Look Beyond Just Upward Interactions
A note to young leaders. Lessons from my father. In these turbulent times, I can’t help but recall my father’s counsel to me when I was a teenager: “Don’t be fooled by the illusion of long-term stability. Change happens gradually, then all of a sudden. Nowhere, not even Australia, is immune.” “And when the sudden […]
Read More… from Timeless Wisdom: Preparing for Sudden Change with Smart Investments
A note to young leaders. We all die twice. Once when we die physically; and again when our name is spoken on Earth for the last time. The best legacy is not what we leave for people, but what we leave in people. May your memory be long-lived and steeped in kindness. […]
Read More… from Legacy Beyond Life: What Leaders Truly Leave Behind
A note to young leaders. Your team members are speaking to you all the time, even when they’re not saying anything at all. When I walk into an office, the first thing I do is gauge the energy and commitment of the team. I look at the speed and intent with which team members are […]
Read More… from Reading Your Team’s Energy: Signs of Commitment and Urgency
A note to young leaders. In assessing character, place less emphasis on words, more on actions. Better still, place maximum emphasis on those actions that are practised consistently – daily routines and weekly habits. I once heard Matthew Hayden, the former Australian opening batsman, being interviewed during an era when Australia dominated the sport: “People […]
A note to young leaders. I’ve always been at peace with defeat. It’s cowardice I struggle with. Are you prepared to put it all on the line, to fully commit to a course of action that you believe in – even when you expect you will be defeated? That’s the heart of a champion. […]
Read More… from The Heart of a Champion: Embracing Defeat with Courage
A note to small business owners. Embrace change. Every business owner has to ultimately decide whether to abandon their secure niche and venture into unchartered territory. It’s tempting to play it safe and run a small profitable business with limited downside. But, if you want to retain your best people, you don’t really have a […]
Read More… from Small Business Growth: Why Embracing Change is Essential
A note to young leaders. Are you genuinely seeking feedback? Your team will almost always be reluctant to share any negative feedback about you, even if you ask for it. And you should ask for it. Sincere feedback, even when you disagree with it, is immensely valuable to your maturity as a leader. And when […]
Read More… from How to Get Genuine Feedback and Grow as a Leader