The Backpack Nobody Wants to Carry

The Backpack Nobody Wants to Carry

Several years ago, I coached a highly successful executive who unexpectedly lost his job. One day he was the CEO. The next day he was the former CEO.  Lots of heavy emotions came quickly: shock, regret, anger, embarrassment, disappointment, fear, shame, and...
The Places That Formed Us 

The Places That Formed Us 

I took a drive recently through Columbus, Georgia—where I lived for ten years during my twenties and early thirties.  I stopped at Holy Family Catholic Church, the parish I attended for nearly a decade and where I spent countless Sundays. As I sat in the...
The Most Expensive Person You’ll Ever Fire

The Most Expensive Person You’ll Ever Fire

Through the years of working with executives in a variety of roles and businesses, I’ve been involved in—and have witnessed—a lot of terminations.  And the hardest ones aren’t who most people think.  It’s not the underperforming division president who’s...
The To-Do List That Wasn’t Leadership

The To-Do List That Wasn’t Leadership

I saw this the other day on Facebook and laughed because it felt familiar.  Today’s to-do list:  Bite off more than I can chew  Build Rome in one day  Poke a bear with a stick  Beat a dead horse  Skate on thin ice  If I’m honest, I spent a good...