Lousy leaders hire people who make them feel comfortable.Great leaders hire people who make them think. Have you become comfortable and safe with mediocrity?You’re not alone - averages seldom are.Face it; it’s easier.Easy is fine.You can carve out … [Read more...]
It Might Be Your Fault
It's common in human nature to find blame for things that aren't going the way you want them to go. Less common, particularly among positional leaders, is accepting responsibility and acknowledging the possibility — the probability that it might … [Read more...]
Courage Isn’t Possible Without Fear
Although our physical location is closed in support of social distancing efforts, Karl Bimshas Consulting remains open virtually. While we had planned to offer in-person group coaching later this month, we will instead migrate to online … [Read more...]
Defense Against the Dark Arts of Lousy Leadership: Verbal Attacks
In a perfect world, adults have the maturity and the skills to handle conflict without name-calling, shaming, and other methods of cloaking their insecurity, and we wouldn't have to concern ourselves with their childish outbursts. Alas, we have not … [Read more...]
Snakebite and Venom; A Short Story for Busy Professionals
Two friends walked along a path when they happened across a rattlesnake warming itself in the sun. One of the men, pompous and careless, severed the snake with an ax, but not before it bit the foolish man on the wrist. The man wailed and flailed his … [Read more...]
Compliments
What's the best compliment you've ever received? It felt nice, right? How many have you given lately? Give ten or more genuine compliments today. You can find 29 other thought starters and positive actions in the book, "Perspectives: A 30-day … [Read more...]
What if You Were Curious Instead of Offended?
Being offended doesn't accomplish much. The arguments between those experiencing insensitivity versus the hypersensitivity of others on any given issue have become mundane, and it stagnates the evolution of ideas, thoughts, and … [Read more...]
How to Apologize: A Periodic Reminder
Because so few get it right, here is a periodic reminder on how to properly apologize. No, saying "sorry" isn't enough, and being inconvenienced by another's lack of belief in your remorse isn't their problem, it's yours. Also, don't demand an … [Read more...]
Leadership Assessments
Assessments serve as a quick way to get a sense of self and perspective. They provide a snapshot of current conditions and form a framework individuals, teams, and organizations can use to communicate concepts efficiently. Karl Bimshas Consulting … [Read more...]
Diversity
Diversity of thought, life experiences, and belief systems is what makes organizations stronger. The fittest ideas can flourish, and greater numbers of people benefit. If the room you're in looks like you, you're not learning enough. You'll feel … [Read more...]
Expectations, Keep ’em High
You can lower your expectations and never feel disappointment, or you can raise your expectations and manage your disappointments like an adult. The truly great things in life do not get that way through indifference. You care. You have a … [Read more...]
Many Ways
Not doing it your way doesn't make it wrong, it just makes it different. There are many ways to do many things. Often, managers, in particular, feel like they know the best way to do something. This is seldom true. They know one way and assume … [Read more...]
Believe the People Who Believe in You
When you share an idea or a goal with people it can be risky because most will have a negative knee-jerk reaction. Whatever their motivation; protective love or bitter hidden jealousy, many will say or do things to squash your dreams. Then there … [Read more...]
Money in Outrage
There's money in outrage, but results come from taking action. There are plenty of money making machines that do quite well agitating the populace. People without much conviction will always find ways to extract money from those with dogmatic … [Read more...]
How Will You Be Remembered … Later Today?
Some people concern themselves with legacy and the impact that will be left when they're gone. Writing your own aspirational obituary can crystallize your thinking and give you a roadmap to live into. But really, once you're gone, you're gone. … [Read more...]
Help or Not?
Every person must learn the balance between "The instinct to help" versus, "It's none of your damn business." You've got to develop an internal checklist to determine what level of involvement you are willing to commit to. That's where knowing … [Read more...]
Fail Well
Reminder, if you're not afraid to fail, you are already a stronger leader than most. It means you have humility and curiosity. You may have fears, but they are not greater than your bravery. If you do fail, your attitude ensures you'll still learn … [Read more...]
Be Outspoken
Diplomacy and tact are worthy pursuits. It doesn't harm you to slow down and provide a little thought before spouting off something that could be hurtful to others. There's no reason to be intentionally rude when making a point. When you've got the … [Read more...]
Two Lousy Leaders
When a good leader turns a blind eye to a bad leader, you have two lousy leaders. Life is full of difficult choices. Loyalty and honor are real but can get warped. Pay attention to who earns your loyalty and how you define honor. Does your code hurt … [Read more...]
Empathy and Curiosity
Empathy and curiosity are two traits a lousy leader can't comprehend. They are the same traits a great leader calls upon instinctively. Empathy is about warmth first, even without fully understanding the predicament. It is grace and compassion … [Read more...]
Must Be Present to Win
Every day there's more history being made. It's important to learn from the past. How did others face challenges similar to your own? The future is predictable only if we study patterns, test models, examine theories, and dare to imagine. The … [Read more...]
Be a Better Gatekeeper
Stop taking random advice from people. Be a better gatekeeper and pay attention to those who make you think, laugh, and take action. Preferably all three. We have such excellent access to knowledge, new perspectives, and views of the world. … [Read more...]
Visceral Leadership
I have a visceral reaction to leadership that has never let me down. It operates on both extremes of the continuum. It's no secret that lousy leadership pisses me off; not only because these type of leaders tend to be arrogant dicks, but because … [Read more...]
“Let Me Fail.”
I recently shared dinner with a dear friend who was about to embark on a new adventure. She alternated between bouts of excitement and nervousness, possessing the natural joy that comes from stretching outside your comfort zone, coupled with the … [Read more...]
Why? Because!
Once you become an adult, there's something you can stop doing, but most don't. It is important to know your *why* - the motivation, inspiration, reason that compels you to pursue the big goal in your life. It helps you to understand why, but you do … [Read more...]
Enjoy Leading or Don’t Lead
Not every day is sunshine and unicorns. Leading is not always fun. You need to make tough decisions between choices that aren't any good. That is what leaders do. If you thought it was giving commands to people to satisfy your whim, you … [Read more...]
Does Your Criticism Suck?
Leadership takes many forms and comes from many voices. We want more of those leadership voices heard, so we occasionally publish a guest post on our "Reflections on Leadership" blog. This one is from 30-something millennial, Jenny Christopher. If … [Read more...]
Sometimes You Are Wrong
You are not infallible. You make mistakes. It is an uncomfortable feeling, knowing you goofed. Many people try to avoid the sensation of being wrong by never speaking up, never standing up, never venturing into the unknown. They feel safe and secure … [Read more...]
Be The Better Option
You defeat lousy leadership with better leadership. Be the better option. Smug rhetoric and incoherent arguments do not contain better ideas. Fear and paranoia driven tirades do not beckon better angels. Sowing chaos as a management technique is … [Read more...]
Protect Your Purpose from Comfort
The reason I have started requiring people who work with me to know their purpose and values is because if they do not, they will be susceptible to the whim of others. When you know your purpose and values, you do not allow others to blow you off … [Read more...]
How You Doin’?
When was the last time you asked someone how they were doing? Here's how you can tell if someone is more concerned with power than they are with good leadership. Someone concerned with power is going to use "I" and "Me" when they speak. When … [Read more...]
You Don’t Need Permission to Lead
You don't need permission to lead. You need a purpose. Don't wait to be anointed or appointed. Lead from where you are. If the purpose is important to you, if the timing and circumstances are right, you must rise. Prepare, knowing you … [Read more...]
Are You Bad for Business?
Treating your employees poorly is not only lousy leadership, it's bad for business. 1. If you're a manager, supervisor, leader -- anyone who has a team, and you treat them poorly, that's one strike. You're messing up your role. 2. If you can't … [Read more...]
Don’t Wait to be Empowered
Empowerment is great, and I don't mean to split hairs, but I've never liked the word. It implies power is being given to you by someone else. Yes, I suppose you can bestow that gift to yourself, give yourself permission to rise up, take authority, … [Read more...]
Five Reasons Why Some Executives Do Not Put Poor Performing Leaders on Corrective Action
Most people do not enjoy paperwork, and they like confrontation even less. Effective leaders are no different, but they take a deep breath and do it regardless. Lousy leaders do not. Here are five reasons some of these lousy leaders don’t put poor … [Read more...]
How Many #MeToo Experiences Happen Under Your Watch?
If nothing else, the awareness campaign should have opened your eyes to offensive behavior. Statistics vary, but not by much. *1 in 3 women age 18-34 is sexually harassed at work. *About 80% experience verbal harassment. *Nearly 45% endure … [Read more...]
Leaders Ask
Leaders think differently, which is one of the reasons they stand out from the crowd. Crowds tend to settle, content with how things are, or lamenting about how things were. Leaders like comfort too, but in smaller doses. They know too much … [Read more...]
Hedge Less; Lead Better
Those who have read my work for a while know that insight frequently strikes me via the rule of threes. The first mention of something might prompt me to make a casual note. The second mention prompts familiarity and begins to breed curiosity. The … [Read more...]
Refuse Generational Labels; You’ll Lead Better
Scroll through your social media feed, and it’s highly likely you’ll see a post that bashes Millennials and the generation of kids today. Usually, there’s a picture of a string of teenagers looking at their phones or taking selfies with dire warnings … [Read more...]
For Leaders who Cringe on Sundays when they think of Mondays
Well-meaning managers and leaders fail to find the time to recharge because you know you could be managing better. It is not imposter syndrome. It is because you have left something unresolved and allowed it to fester over the weekend, if not over … [Read more...]
Problem: Many Managers Don’t Give a C.R.A.P.
There are plenty of articles and opinions on how to become a better manager and leader, but nearly all of them are blind to the overwhelming evidence that 50-65% of managers don't give a crap. That may be a generous number. Take a look at Gallup and … [Read more...]
Be a Better Gatekeeper
Not long ago we didn’t give too much thought about where we got our information. Primarily it was filtered through our family and friends. There were other filters in place. Our schools had a set of standards, depending on where you lived. Our … [Read more...]
Your Leadership Agenda
Create a leadership agenda so you can manage better and lead well. Your Leadership Agenda Your attitude, your appearance, and your approach are the three building blocks of your leadership agenda. Your leadership agenda is how you plan on … [Read more...]
Lousy Leadership is Scary
Lousy leadership is scary because it is so prevalent in our lives, and no one is fully immune from it. New and established managers both make errors because of impatience, or fear, or poor judgment. These mistakes frequently most hurt the people … [Read more...]
Avoiding Burnout
I once worked with an organization where people started vanishing. Some of it was planned. A few moved on to bigger and better things. The vast majority, however, were being laid off, one at a time, so for a while, it was drip, drip, drip. During … [Read more...]
You goofed. Now what?
Candidly, you won't see this properly demonstrated by people in the public eye too often. On the other hand, exceptional leaders know how, when, and why to apologize. Follow the six steps below to stand out as a better leader who shows respect and … [Read more...]
No, Your Customers Don’t All Love You
Whenever I hear an entrepreneur or executive describe how much their customers love them, I cringe. I am reminded of a recent research study that discovered, based on reciprocity, we have far few friends than we think we do. In fact, about half as … [Read more...]
How to Find the Best Reward and Recognition for People
I’m starting to post quick (under two minute) leadership questions, tips and thought starters on Anchor. If you’re there I hope you’ll dip your toes in. If not, listen below. Not everyone loves a plaque for recognition. For some, that's firewood. … [Read more...]
Here’s a challenge. Compliment people today. Sincerely.
I’m starting to post quick (under two minute) leadership questions, tips and thought starters on Anchor. If you’re there I hope you’ll dip your toes in. If not, listen below. Are you getting too much thanks and appreciation for the things you do? … [Read more...]
4 Triggers for Workplace Dysfunction
There are four common triggers I regularly see playing out in the workplace. Yes, there are plenty of others, but these four are prevalent. Ineffective Communication Ego Protection Fear of Uncertainty Rewarding Off Purpose You can … [Read more...]
Directors Direct
When I was a sophomore at Emerson College, one of my courses had me direct a short video production. The College, with its strong, “learn by doing” approach, had two well-appointed studios with high-end cameras freshly donated from the local … [Read more...]
Where to Start Your Leadership Development
You want to improve your leadership, but you are not quite sure where to start. Consider your answers to these five questions. Direction - Do you have and share a compelling vision? Alignment - Do your behaviors match your … [Read more...]
Three Actions that will Make you a Stronger Leader
Adopt these three principles and your communication with others will be clearer, and your results will be greater. Working in tandem, they have already served me well multiple times this month. When I’ve followed them, I lead better. When I’ve … [Read more...]