My first two books are business books and focus on my many years of learning and refining my approach to leadership. So, it may come as a surprise that my newest book is a non-business book. Well, as I’m sure you’ll agree, some problems transcend business, and leadership applies to more than for-profit endeavors. For many years, I considered writing about the challenges and opportunities (Continue)
Leadership
Stories Matter. Here’s How Smart Leaders Use Them to Inspire Action
The power of storytelling is undeniable. When you speak at a conference, or with your friend one-on-one, notice how much they remember of the conversation when it’s attached to a story. Likely, they (and you) will forget much of your conversation, except those pieces that revolved around a particular event, with specific people and places. Humans remember stories, and further, we share (Continue)
4 Steps You Can Follow Now To Build Your Legacy
It’s true: robots are taking our jobs. Well, at least to some degree. As if being a leader in business wasn’t challenging enough, we have to worry about artificial intelligence learning more than us at an accelerating rate. Luckily, there’s something humans — namely entrepreneurs — have over AI: We have the power to leave a legacy. You say you’re not an entrepreneur? I beg to differ, my (Continue)
Transparency + Culture = Better Talent, Faster Decisions
Economic transparency. It may sound scary to tell your employees everything, but that’s exactly what Reid Rasmussen suggests. He’s seen transparency in action and watched as it greatly impacted his entire company culture. He’s the CEO and Co-founder of freshbenies, where they help employers balance their benefits program. He came on the Lead to Grow Podcast to tell us all about what he’s (Continue)
5 Ways to Create a WorkForce People Are Dying to Work For
There are so many elements that create an enduring WorkForce, but here are five that no company can afford not to have. Special guest Michael Brannock came on our recent episode of the Lead to Grow Podcast and explored five elements of workplace culture. Michael is the CEO of WorkForce Unlimited, a company started by Michael’s mother in 1987. Michael worked in commercial banking for nearly a (Continue)
How Leaders Can Take Their Influence to the Next Level
Everybody has influence. Everybody. That means you. You may not realize it yet. Or maybe you just don’t know how far your reach actually extends. The idea that there's only certain people with influence — Instagram influencers, or celebrity influencers — is incorrect. We all are influencers. So, how can you take your influence to the next level? How can you really use it (Continue)
How To Create a Truly Differentiated Sales Experience for Your Buyers
We all think we’re good at asking great questions. But are we really? Asking great questions during the sales process matters. Why? Well, to create a differentiated sales experience, we need to be able to provide value. But not what we think is valuable — what our buyers think is valuable. And to figure out what is their idea of value, we’ve got to ask questions. Good questions. (Continue)
Storytelling: A Business Skill, Artform, And Leadership Quality
Storytelling. It’s a business skill, an art form, and a leadership quality. If you are struggling to shift the energy, change the focus, or impact your employees or your customers, maybe you should take a good look at your storytelling skills: They may be the hidden key to unlock your organization's success. This week’s guest has won multiple Emmy awards for his unique storytelling, or, as (Continue)
Great Leaders Value Mentorship, Continuous Learning, and Leading by Example
Leaders are the “lids” to a business’s growth. The business can only grow to the size of its leaders. That’s why it’s so essential to grow as a leader. Grow yourself, grow your people, and then you can grow your business. I had the great opportunity to interview, Tina Giorgio, President and CEO of ICBA Bancard, a group service provider of payment solutions for community banks. Tina is (Continue)
Leading Your Entry-Level Sales Representatives
Leading millennials, new sales representatives, or other employees in entry-level positions have unique challenges. Dan Gottlieb has some helpful answers to those challenges, and they all come from a massive amount of experience. Dan is an industry analyst at TOPO Inc., specifically for Sales Development, & Account-Based Growth Organizations. Yes, that’s a bit of a mouthful! Essentially, (Continue)