Sympathy or Empathy? I recently had a discussion with a client where one of the less experienced managers on his team felt sorry for a fellow employee who was in a bad workplace situation. The manager arranged for the other employees in the company to provide assistance in an effort to help. On the surface, and from a human standpoint, helping this employee was a kind and good thing to do. That said, this brings up a number of complicated […]

Many years ago I learned to fly. I was actually 16 years old at the time. It was a tremendously freeing experience that also taught me discipline. It shocked me how easy it was to fly. What was complicated was all that had to be understood and acted upon when a problem arose. Also, to have the freedom to fly, it was necessary to master the instruments and know how to read them, otherwise I would only be able to […]

I believe that in today’s modern world, where computers that allow such swift and powerful information flow, it is important to have tools to strengthen and improve our relationships or we will be unable to succeed in our business and family life.     Leaders are being challenged more than ever before.  Where a command and control style leadership technique used to work, employees now are more willing to move to another job after only a few years at a company, thus […]

Why Building A Strong Company Makes For A Great Life Working in a private business is a challenging proving ground where the consequences of failure are large. As an owner, you are constantly dealing with demanding customers, suppliers and employees. Even worse, you can end up in debt or bankrupt and all the while wondering where your life went.   At the same time, the payoff can be great: the feeling of achieving your purpose in life, assisting the community, providing […]

Continually Expanding Patterns of Thinking As part of our ongoing effort to provide additional value to the business leaders in our community, everyone in our firm was “fired” on a recent Friday and given new titles and priorities beginning the following Monday. While it seems like a drastic tactic to try, the desired effect was achieved. As the newly appointed “Director of Continually Expanding Patterns of Thinking” my approach to things has changed. Most businesses are struggling with issues such […]

I had a conversation recently with a client who has a high desire for perfection. Over the past two years his business has been fraught with difficulties resulting in changes that have significantly impacted the plans for his future. While the final result is not in yet, I suspect he will eventually be able to regain lost ground in many areas of his life when the economy improves. However, for the sake of argument: if the economy never turns around, […]

Issues We Have Seen Recently That May Be A Big Problem For You There are many types of risk. The focus recently has been on business, career and stock market risk. In reviewing situations over the last year, we have been seeing other risks: Life insurance coverage amounts Term insurance bought years ago is expiring and the premiums are jumping to new very expensive levels Cash value insurance that has less cash value because of the lower interest rates earlier […]

When Our Team Responds Poorly By Talking Behind Others Backs We have seen businesses and teams pull together exceptionally well to handle the current economic challenges.  Many of the Plan B’s created years ago have been put into place (and a few of the Plan C’s). While many of these plans are working quite well, in some cases the stress of what is happening is causing dissension. Individuals are talking behind others backs, criticizing co-workers without getting their side of […]

I have heard it said that it’s important be persistent and to have a great attitude. However, if you are driving around Charlotte with a street map of Raleigh, attitude and persistence will not allow you to get very far. You need an accurate map and the right city; otherwise you are guaranteed bad results.       Many businesses persist in doing the same things in the same ways that they’ve always been done. Some call it “getting back […]