by Michael Holland - “Character is the will to do what’s right even when it’s hard.” Andy Stanley I love this definition. It clearly articulates the tension that exists for a leader who can see the right ways and wrong ways when he is called to make a decision and pursue a particular path. Only [...]
by Michael Holland - “I’m a working manager. I just don’t have the time to do all these management things I’m supposed to do” Yes, you are a working manager. And so is every other person out there who is responsible for leading and managing other people. Every foreman, supervisor, team leader, manager, senior manager, [...]
by Michael Holland - Chris Rock is renowned for his comedy. He walks effortlessly through his acts, entertaining tens of thousands of fans, and while his humor is definitely well-known, the way that he creates his comedic routines is a little more obscure. Chris works a methodology that forces him to go on little-known stages [...]
by Michael Holland - A 52-year-old vice president struggles to keep his job. While “successful” throughout his career, it seems he now lacks the leadership capability to adequately enable his team of 60-plus folks to achieve basic success. He also lacks the introspection to see that his domineering, “take-the-hill-at-all-costs” style has disengaged him from [...]
by Michael Holland - Do you have legitimate authority? What a great question. Malcolm Gladwell in his intriguing book David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants, brings us perspective that we should know—or may already know—but that we often overlook. This perspective is contained in a principle of legitimacy and helps us [...]
By Michael Holland - The power of our brain to create and execute habits can be extremely beneficial or detrimental. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between the habit to walk (think about it) and the habit to grab that unhealthy snack every night. The brain simply recognizes something being performed several times and creates [...]
By Michael Holland - I recently read this story about a school teacher. . . a kindergarten teacher who at the end of an exasperating day had to put boots on all 31 of her students before she sent them out in the snow. As she struggled to lace up the last boot on the [...]
By Michael Holland - It's a feeling you get over time. Why am I not as successful as I can be, or think I can be in my role as a leader? Here are 4 signs that you may be leading well at the WRONG company: Bad DNA Match Your leadership DNA isn't a match for the [...]
by Michael Holland - Managing employees is a lot like raising kids, and someone has to be the adult in the room. Best bet is you’re being paid to be that person. Employees and kids need the following: Boundaries of appropriate performance and behavior Guiding advice and latitude to make character-building mistakes Care and feeding [...]
By Michael Holland - When a leader holds onto a project or work that could be delegated, is he being selfless or selfish? Is he supporting and protecting his employees or is he limiting their growth potential? Is he making sure things are done right or is he limiting the opportunities for innovation in work product [...]
