I’m Just a Bartender
In stark contrast to the somber swearing in of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the offices of President and VP respectively, the world witnessed with combined amusement and respect the diligence of an as yet unidentified man, some say a Bill Barr look-alike, dubbed “Podium Sanitizer Guy”* who sprung into action and quietly but […]
6 Powerful Tells About a Prospective Boss’s Leadership Style
It seems that half the world is looking for a job at the moment, and the start of a new year only adds to the crowd. A few words of advice. Unless you’re just completely up against a hard wall, don’t just look for a job. Look for a good job that fits you, and […]
Five Tips For Keeping Feedback From Being a 4-Letter Word
During their annual peak business season (Nov-Dec), FedEx and rival UPS, between them, deliver about 50 million packages per day, with remarkable on-time regularity, even in the face of a nasty pandemic and difficult weather. Our feedback process as leaders should be so reliable, but it isn’t, far from it. Yet, with a workforce that […]
Building Teamwork One Step At a Time
Too often over the course of this year I’ve heard managers suggest that they can’t fairly be held accountable for measured levels of teamwork in their organizations because of the COVID pandemic. That sounds like an excuse to me. Of course we can, and we will. To be sure, we’re operating with a terrible headwind […]
5 Ways Leaders Can Catch Lightning In a Bottle Via the Power of Positive Surprise
What workers commonly expect to happen in a job/from their boss: There will always be a few stars, a bunch of mediocrity, a few slugs, and at least one a-hole. I’ll be working for somebody who is more concerned about their agenda than my interests. Chances are, no one will be willing to listen to […]
Give Yourself and Someone Else a Holiday Present… An Apology
11.27.20 • memphis A question that I often ask of new coaching clients (business leaders of all stripes) very early in the relationship is, “To whom do you owe an apology, and why?” Concurrently, I disclose an example of my own in an effort to demonstrate fairness, and set a high bar. Most people respond sincerely, […]
Strengthening The Leadership Bench
Nov 8, 2020 • memphis Joe Biden has emerged atop the U.S. presidential scrum not because he has the market cornered on brains and good ideas, but because, in contrast to a man who has proven wholly unfit to lead, his behavior reflects the character, temperament, tone and record of one who more likely is. […]
You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile
Keynote speaker, Vicki Hitzges was featured in a recent Tweet on @Tim_Fargo ’s page along with the admonishment, “Remember, you’re never fully dressed without a smile.” The advice is spot on with the virus we’re dealing with, and at T-2 minutes and counting for the final launch of voting in the 2020 US presidential election, […]
Getting Serious About Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, corporate America has professed fresh interest in the subject of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). I’m heartened by that, and especially so to see former Xerox CEO Ursula Burns lending her considerable voice in this regard https://fortune.com/2020/09/29/ursula-burns-black-women-corporate-boards-bdaa-diversity-inclusion-xerox-ceo/ . Among other things, DEI emphasis has driven renewed calls by […]
COVID19 Leadership Stars
memphis • 10.20.20 Everyone has their favorite culprit to blame for the year 2020 being such an unmitigated train wreck. But, with the battle in mid-stream, I’m not sure that we’ve given proper credit on the other side of the ledger to those whose leadership is standing out in a meritorious way, with considerable effect. So, […]