6 Lessons in Influence from a Karate Master
My karate teacher (sensei), Masataka Mori is a 9th Dan and the chief instructor of the International Japanese Karate Association. Even though I haven’t trained with him in years, he will always be my sensei. If he walked into a conference full of hundreds, or even thousands of people, you would instantly know who trained with him. They would be the ones standing and bowing towards this one man. This would include anyone on stage. Such is the respect he commands.
Here are six ways ...
6 Lessons in Influence from a Karate Master
My karate teacher (sensei), Masataka Mori is a 9th Dan and the chief instructor of the International Japanese Karate Association. Even though I haven’t trained with him in years, he will always be my sensei. If he walked into a conference full of hundreds, or even thousands of people, you would instantly know who trained with him. They would be the ones standing and bowing towards this one man. This would include anyone on stage. Such is the respect he commands.
Here are six ways ...
Quick productivity boost
Throw out your 10-page to-do list.
It’s daunting and overloads your working memory, which is energy intensive with a short bandwidth.
Instead, keep a shorter list for each day that you can tick off as you go. Maximum one page.
Make sure you have a few easy items (low hanging fruit) that you can accomplish easily for a quick win. If you find that you’re stuck or stalled, choose a small item to build back your momentum.
If you really have that many things to manage over time, ...
A sum of small conversations
I’ve been speaking a lot about the power of conscious and unconscious communicatioins in driving people’s performance. The effect of small gestures and asides have a powerful impact on others that extends far beyond what you might think it possible. Recently though, I remembered my experience with a former manager and it brought home to me just how insidious those conversations can be, especially if coming from a leader, manager or someone in a position of authority.
Years ago in ...
Five Ways to be a Smart Leader
I feel a bit silly here. Since my book was published, I’ve been writing and speaking a lot about different aspects of leadership but still haven’t shared the actual model that was the framework for my whole book!
The SHAPES model shows the interrelated pillars of leadership excellence, inside a context for integrity that translates into success when action is taken. There are too many nuances for a single blog, but I’ll start with one element. Since it is intuitive to start at ...
10 Lessons From the Coalface
As a coach who assists people and companies to be successful, I would love to say that on my side business is always running smoothly.
Yeah, right.
There isn’t anyone out there who hasn’t started or run a business and not experienced some down time and challenges. It’s what it means to take risks and is inescapable. It also is what enables us to succeed – if we can learn from both our wins and losses.
Carol Dweck is a proponent of being an open learner – seeing ...
Try The Mambo Instead
Ever have a seemingly intractable relationship issue? Maybe one you’ve given up on?
You’ve tried everything you know and still can’t resolve it. The other person is unwilling to meet you half way, is too stubborn or difficult to deal with. I may even be a little too generous here in describing them.
Try the view from their side.
That shift in your perspective allows you to notice critical details that previously were hidden from your view. Those details often hold the key ...
Try The Mambo Instead
Ever have a seemingly intractable relationship issue? Maybe one you’ve given up on?
You’ve tried everything you know and still can’t resolve it. The other person is unwilling to meet you half way, is too stubborn or difficult to deal with. I may even be a little too generous here in describing them.
Try the view from their side.
That shift in your perspective allows you to notice critical details that previously were hidden from your view. Those details often hold the key ...
Five Important Lessons from Mickey
We can learn a lot about how to run a company from Disney. They really know how to look after their people and customers.
After a day in one of their theme parks, followed by five on their newest cruise ship, I learned a lot about excellence and enduring success. Crew members provided me with the source of that excellence which I think it is well worth sharing. And yes, I also had a really great time!
1. Be congruent. Disney is masterful at customer service. The company and people are ...
Five Important Lessons from Mickey
We can learn a lot about how to run a company from Disney. They really know how to look after their people and customers.
After a day in one of their theme parks, followed by five on their newest cruise ship, I learned a lot about excellence and enduring success. Crew members provided me with the source of that excellence which I think it is well worth sharing. And yes, I also had a really great time!
1. Be congruent. Disney is masterful at customer service. The company and people are ...
