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My Un-Resume: I Didn’t Listen
Julie had her reservations. She wasn’t sure if this guy was right for the job. Over my first 18 months on the job, Julie always spoke with candor, and she seemed to be a good judge of people. But, I...
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New Hires- 5 Keys To A Good Start
Now what? After reviewing a stack of resumes, phone screenings, multiple interviews and reference checks, I have hired the best person out there for the job. What’s next? I could do nothing, roll...
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3 Disciplines For Being Productive Versus Busy
“Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There is plenty of movement but you never know if it is going forward, backward or sideways.” -H. Jackson Brown Me: “Hey Laura. How...
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Leadership Development Improves The Bottom Line
We do not lack smart people in business these days. Smart people are everywhere. We lack leaders. The latest studies are proving leadership equates to profits. Developing good leaders does more to...
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Leaders: Hire People Who Walk With A Limp
Adversity builds character. I find that the people I admire have not always had things easy. Somewhere, at sometime in their past, these people overcame circumstances in their lives that changed...
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Hiring A Low Maintenance Team – Hire Character
I am one of those guys who does not always get to control the TV remote in my house. Because of this dynamic, my desire to watch Deadliest Catch or SportsCenter is put on hold so my wife can watch one...
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To Lead A Low Maintenance Team – Surrender Self
All leaders would love to have a low maintenance team (LMT). A LMT allows a leader to focus on the big things and avoid the day to day hassles that could and should be handled at lower levels. When a...
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What Happened To The Person I Hired?
It had been 12 months since I hired Tracy. During the interview process she wowed me with her passion and drive to succeed. I wasn’t just moderately hopeful for her. I thought she would be doing my...
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Two Problems With Team Standards
“I met the standards. What is the problem?” There are likely two problems here. Problem #1 is the attitude. Problem #2 is the standards themselves. I have either caused or witnessed both of these...
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Preparing to Leave My Job
Recently, I spoke with a friend who decided he needed a change. He has been very successful in his industry for more than a decade. But, what was once a passion has become a J. O. B. Statistics show...
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My Un-Resume: I Took It Personally
When everything began to unravel for Pete, I knew I was going to have fire him. I took it personally. Like most leaders, I rarely lose sleep over the technical issues of my job. It is the people who...
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Good People Can Be Bad Hires
“Dave, you are not the messiah of wayward sales people.” My boss had a way of being direct – sometimes with a sting. She knew me and my desire to help others. I didn’t like the delivery, but she was...
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Dysfunction Is The Issue Not Incompetence
Two companies competing in the same market can have wildly different results. One company will thrive and the other will flounder. Why? Does one company have smarter people? Or better information?...
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I Should Have Hired Jeff!
He sat across from me for 90 minutes. He demonstrated drive, humility, sales skills, and the character I love to hire. The problem was his background. I was hiring for a high-end medical sales...
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Hire and Fire For Values – Part 1
Why does one person get hired over another? Why does one person get fired over another? Performance is a good reason. Values are an even better reason. A hypocrite is someone who says one thing but...
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My Un-Resume: My Team Lacked REAL Diversity
The first team I led had two women, two African American’s and someone of Asian descent. The other 5 were white males. Our team picture could have been used as an HR poster for diversity! I hired...
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3 Disciplines For Being Productive Versus Busy
“Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There is plenty of movement but you never know if it is going forward, backward or sideways.” -H. Jackson Brown Me: “Hey Laura. How...
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Hire – Work Ethic, Humility, Integrity, Maturity
Skilled workers are available. In this economy, there is always someone available who can do the job. Skill and competencies are not hard to find or to hire. Character is a different story. As I...
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Becoming An Uncommon Leader
Early in my leadership career in Corporate America, I followed the pack. I did what others did. I remember watching my sales manager lead a certain way, and I emulated what he had done....
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My Un-Resume: I Didn’t Fire Him Fast Enough
He was a borderline narcissist. His reaction to my coaching often approached rage. I hired him for his past performance in another industry. But, I failed to fire him quickly when I realized he was...
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