Crucial conversations are make or break moments for any relationship or organization. Here’s how to start a crucial conversation. I had the wonderful opportunity last week to attend a local simulcast of the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit which featured an amazing line up of speakers including host Bill Hybels, Carly Fiorina, Jeffrey Immelt, Patrick …
Category: Small Business Marketing
Model of humility – and success
Catholics and non-Catholics alike have embraced Pope Francis and his humble ways. Here are a few leadership lessons from his remarkable turnaround. Although Pope Francis was elected only 16 months ago, his impact and effect on Roman Catholics worldwide could almost be called a small miracle. The human failings of the Church have been well-documented …
Free your mind
The dogged pursuit of creative solutions can actually backfire. Here’s how to hit the reset button and cultivate breakthrough thinking. A funny thing happens when you’re stuck on a problem. The more time you spend thinking about it, the more narrow your possible solutions become. There is a diminishing return when you try too hard. …
How people win – the key ingredients for success
The right combination of character traits leads to winning and success. Here’s what to look for and cultivate. Verbal skills, mathematical aptitude, and the ability to read patterns – measurements of IQ – are all considered important markers of future potential and success. We teach them, we test for them, and we often place what turns …
You are appreciated
Three years and 150 Snippets later, the writing and reading continue. This Sunday morning note started a little over three years ago and I want to thank you for reading, encouraging and providing input along the way. Thank you for your time, and, if you’ve replied back with a comment or kind word, it is greatly …
Listen up – The Sunday Snippet – [6.29.14]
Listening well builds your credibility, your career and your business. More than anything else, we all want to be heard and understood. It’s human nature, but our own personal needs in this area often overpower our capacity to listen effectively to others. Respect and admiration are two glowing benefits that come from good listening. We’ve …
Get more done in less time – The Sunday Snippet – [6.22.14]
Staying focused is the name of the game in productivity. Here are a few quick tips for achieving it. Wiping out a to-do list is a great feeling, but things pop up that compete for attention. You can quickly up your batting average with a few small adjustments. Small changes are easier – and can …
Don’t tell me about your stuff – The Sunday Snippet – [6.15.14]
Open with a good customer story to set the table for productive new business meetings. Here’s how. After the niceties of greetings and introductions in a new business meeting are completed, it’s usually time to get down to brass tacks. The interview begins with the opening salvo from your prospect: “Tell me more about your …
Secret to a great sales pitch – The Sunday Snippet – [6.8.14]
Make your sales pitch better with this simple formula. It’s easy to get yourself twisted in a knot when trying to pitch your company in a sales situation. In an effort to make your best case, your brain is often flooded with ideas: Where do I start? What do I say? What is too much …
Telltale signs of top talent – The Sunday Snippet – [6.2.14]
Spotting talent in employees and bosses is difficult. Here’s how to do better. I often meet with individuals – and companies – in various states of searching and hiring, and it’s amazing how difficult it is for good people to get connected with other good people and companies. Claudio Fernández-Aráoz is a senior adviser at …