Don’t Back Down (Life Lessons from Tom Petty)

Starting up a business or beginning a new job can provide a great lesson in humility.  I know that I have felt that myself.  You have great intentions, ideas, and determination.  But “stuff happens” and gets in the way.  Lots of roadblocks are thrown your way.  You make progress, you gain optimism – then more … Continue reading Don’t Back Down (Life Lessons from Tom Petty)

Strong Leaders Don’t Give In to the “Yeah, buts”

I recently worked with a CEO who taught me some great lessons in management.  One of the best I learned was that strong leaders must set clear and steady vision, and the leader can’t get drawn into a battle of “Yeah, buts”.  So, what is a “Yeah, but”? A "yeah, but” describes a tiny attack on your vision, … Continue reading Strong Leaders Don’t Give In to the “Yeah, buts”

Reading Bad News in the Morning Reduces Work Effectiveness

Have you ever wondered whether reading bad news in the morning can have a negative impact on your productivity? According to a new study by Shawn Achor and Michelle Gielan in the latest Harvard Business Review, “consuming negative news CAN make you less effective at work.” In their study, participants who were exposed to negative news stories … Continue reading Reading Bad News in the Morning Reduces Work Effectiveness

Be Courageous — Don’t Fear Failure

Reggie Jackson was known as “Mr. October”. During the regular season was a very good ballplayer. But during the postseason, especially late in games, Reggie was one of the greatest clutch hitters in baseball history. In 27 World Series games, he hit 10 home runs (including four in a row), had 24 RBI and batted … Continue reading Be Courageous — Don’t Fear Failure

Marketing: Differentiate to Win

The quickest way to sink the value of your products in a crowded field is to make them a commodity. That is true for products, services and for yourself. Why would a customer pay more for your product if they see nothing different from your competitor’s offerings? Differentiation can be as simple as identifying what … Continue reading Marketing: Differentiate to Win