If you ever feel the need to tell a kid who is pursuing something they appear to love that they will never be good at it, shut up. For every success story you hear about someone who battled all the naysayers of their youth to persevere to … [Read more...]
Not Every Idea You Come Across has to be Pursued
Time is short, and resources are limited; just because you come across something new or get a great idea from a book, video, or a self-proclaimed subject matter expert, doesn't mean you should adopt it. Small and mid-size company presidents … [Read more...]
You Yell, You Lose
If you're an adult entrusted with the privilege and responsibility of authority, and you regularly berate or yell at your employees, you lose. You might trick yourself into thinking it will work in the short term, but you've paid a heavy price. … [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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
The Wave
The wave doesn't care if you're standing in front of it. It doesn't speed up to try and knock you over. It doesn't slow down in an attempt to spare you. A wave is going to do what it does whether you're there or not. You get to decide … [Read more...]
14 Reasons
Here are 14 common reasons busy professionals seek leadership development with Karl Bimshas Consulting. How many are true for you? I am questioning my motivations, values, and purpose. I think my decision making is wishy-washy, but I am … [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...]
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...]
Your 90 Day Review
1. Review the last 90 days of your life. You set some big goals -- how ya doing? Do you need to adjust them? Don't go smaller. Reach higher. 2. You met new people. Did anyone positively influence your life, your goals, your success? Have you … [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...]
Simple Rule
Ask yourself, “What would a lousy leader do?” Then, make damn sure you don’t do that. Success leaves clues, so does failure. Pay attention to the lessons that surround you. Very few wake up in the morning determined to be a lousy leader, but through … [Read more...]
You’ve Got This
Great leaders do not get that way overnight. They face obstacles and the temptation to take the easy way out. Unlike lousy leaders, they do not succumb when things get difficult. Effective leaders persevere through crisis and stay fixated on their … [Read more...]
Alone, or with Your Flock, Soar
Sometimes you have to be independent and chart your own course. You will fly high, and far, and have a broad perspective on your world, up above the fray. Other times, you will want company, share resources, communicate with your friends, cheer … [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...]
Today is Your 90 Day Review
Review the last 90 days of your life. You set some big goals -- how ya doing? Do you need to adjust them? Don't go smaller. Reach higher. You met new people. Did anyone positively influence your life, your goals, your success? Have you … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Organize Your Thoughts
Some people are great at creating lists. They have impressive lists. Accomplishing tasks, a little less so. Some people are decisive and action oriented. They get lots of things done fast, and then they redo a lot of things faster. Some people … [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...]
What Skills Should I Improve?
Regardless of your occupation, you should always be working on improving your skills. Choosing not to would be reckless and invite career derailment. When you work for an organization, there's no shortage of feedback loops telling you what to … [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...]
What is your biggest roadblock …
It is easy to get aggravated. The reward comes from not getting aggravated. I am not there yet, but you might be able to help. My business is to help entrepreneurs and executives find ways to lead better, personally and professionally, globally … [Read more...]
Do You Recognize Them?
The people you work with like different things. How do you learn what those things are? Ask. Survey and then talk to your direct reports about what they would like as recognition for their good work. Doing so you not only create a more … [Read more...]
Stop Pretending You Want High Performance
When you first met your direct reports you told them your expectations. You explained that you are firm but fair; your door is always open, and that as part of a winning team, everyone should feel excited because it was going to be a great year. So … [Read more...]
Beware Leaders of Silos who Think it’s a Lighthouse
There are some busy executives who appear bigger than life. Their charismatic, bold, innovative expressions with sweeping visual displays make a nice, even inspiring show. However, leadership is not about being bigger than your surroundings. It is … [Read more...]
Ask Your Direct Reports Their Opinion and They May Hate You Less
Probably your direct reports don't hate you, Things are not that bad. It might be mild discontent. But, what could explain the fact that they don't seem to get it. If only they could stop driving you crazy and just do their job like they are supposed … [Read more...]
15 Prescriptions
In the last post, "How Many of the '15 Ailments' Do You Have?" I used a recent address from the pope to inspire reflection on your own leadership and the development of your team. Now, with a little positivity and grammatical jujitsu, I offer a … [Read more...]
You Don’t Have To Be a Leader To Be a Role Model
You're a role model. You may not know it. You may not like it. You may try to reject it, saying you never asked to be one. It doesn't matter. You are someone's role model. Kids, for one, either your own or their friends, maybe a niece … [Read more...]
Emerging Mother?
I never liked the term emerging leader. It’s like calling a woman who’s pregnant an emerging mother. It’s clunky, vague and rude. I accept that leadership is a continuum, but it’s not based on time, it’s based on effectiveness. How do you increase … [Read more...]