Blog
Mary Poppins, the Sound of Music, and Your Role in Leadership
My toddler loves Mary Poppins & the Sound of Music. Just a few days ago, I realized that both movies have the same plot. I also realized what they teach about leadership.
Will Millennials Ever Lead Real Change? I’m Not Sure
Millennials have caused change in much of our society, but how can we proactively lead change in some of the most difficult issues we face?
How This Question Will Make You More Intentional Today
How can we be more intentional in our leadership? People want to follow someone who is moving in a clear direction. This one question helps you clarify how you can be more intentional today.
Prepare Privately before Performing Publicly
Rehearsals. For any musician that plays with other musicians, rehearsals are part of the routine. They are like the meetings you attend at work, but significantly more fun. In an ideal music rehearsal, everyone attending will arrive ready to rehearse. Readiness...
Millennials are Not Future Leaders
“Our future leaders are the next generation.” These kinds of statements are common, but they are untrue. Future leaders are not just those born between 1980-2000. If a leader is one who has influence, then what does it mean to be a future leader?
Formal Education is Valuable for Leaders
Education. We would all say that it is important, but we would disagree as to the best path for education. School? Life experience? Self-discovery?
As we grew up, many people told us that education was important. “Get your degree!” “College will open the doors to your DREAM JOB!”
And so on.
Developing a Collaborative Instinct
One of the greatest thing about being a musician is playing with other musicians. Some of my greatest memories in life include times I performed on a stage with other musicians, from a cover band in college to playing in Moscow with a collegiate instrumental group.
Why Your Team Needs Space to Succeed
It is easy in leadership to make things complicated, because complicated often means we have not done the hard work of removing the unnecessary. As leaders, we are responsible for creating space for others to succeed. But this cannot happen if things are complicated and busy.
The Right View for Collaboration
My vision is bad. For those who wear glasses or contacts, my vision is -7.5. If you don’t wear glasses, then that number means I am close to being legally blind. I got my first pair of glasses in elementary school, and started wearing contacts in middle school....
One Thing Only Experience Can Teach
We have all heard the saying “Experience is the best teacher.” This can be true, yet sometimes we are able to learn things without having to experience them firsthand. We may learn through observing others, reading a book, or taking a class. But there is one thing in...
An Easy Way to Increase Transparency
Transparency. It is a word that can mean anything from honesty to the clear sheets your teachers used on overhead projectors (remember those?). In today's world, transparency is highly valued. We want to feel as though our leaders are being transparent with us. Since...
What I Learned About Process from an IKEA Hack
It can happen to the best of us: we are drawn in by the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. The idea of inexpensive, yet stylish furniture, calls us to begin walking the mammoth floor plan. The ultra-efficient sample living areas cause us to think we are wasting...