Comprehensive Archive of Leadership Breakthroughs Posts

Leading Innovation: The Role of Creativity

March 24, 2017 No Comments

We can agree that innovation is a critical component for building a competitive edge and solving problems and challenges along the way.

As we pursue innovation, we seek attributes like creativity and thinking outside-the-box. If only leading innovation was as simple as gathering groups of creatives and letting them brainstorm. The reality is that working with creatives and outside the box thinkers can be like herding cats.

How to Get Better at Almost Anything

March 2, 2017 1 Comment

Too Good to be True? Our three most scarce resources are time, money and talent. When we believe we don’t have enough of these to spare, we typically opt out. Here’s something universally powerful that requires very little of these scarce resources. Yet, the opt-out rate is surprisingly high.

Why Don’t We Ask for Help?

February 3, 2017 2 Comments

How many times have you found yourself in need of help from others in a difficult time and help didn’t show up? how diligent are you about asking for help? Learn 5 paralyzing reasons that we neglect to request help in our times of need.

What’s Your Listener Rating?

January 20, 2017 No Comments

How would you rate yourself as an effective listener? If we asked people who know you well, how would you rate? Take this simple 3- question quiz to get your first clues.

The Power of Pen and Paper

November 14, 2016 No Comments

While there are a costs and trade offs to using pen and paper, the opportunities you capture are potentially priceless.

The Chicago Cubs are Going to The World Series!

October 25, 2016 No Comments

Since this is Leadership Breakthroughs on ChicagoExecutiveCoaching.com, I’m compelled to express my elation gratitude to the Chicago Cubs’ management. The National League Pennant is an Epic Leadership Breakthrough achievement. Here’s why.

What is IKTA?

September 21, 2016 No Comments

IKTA is NOT some institution or association of higher learning. It IS a potential wake-up call for those of us who start believing we have all the answers. I’m sharing it because it can make a difference between gaining knowledge and actually applying it. Just because you’ve heard an answer doesn’t mean you have the answer.

Rising Above Workplace Noise

September 20, 2016 No Comments

Our workdays are filled with distractions and other people’s demands for our time. We find ourselves spending so much time and energy on the agendas of others, we struggle to work on our own. Our truly important stuff gets pushed to the back burner. It’s easy to lose focus.

The Problem with Solving Problems

August 29, 2016 No Comments

Once you’ve become comfortable exercising your problem solving muscles, you use those muscles instinctively. What happens when your problem solving muscles get really well developed? You can become muscle bound. How does that work with problem solving? Can it become too much of a good thing?

Discipline: Who Needs It?

August 29, 2016 No Comments

As you consider the concept of discipline, I believe there are two important questions to address: 1. Do I NEED more of it? and 2. Do I WANT more of it?

But I’m Not in Sales

August 12, 2016 2 Comments

Is it Time to STOP Saying “I’m not in sales”? Have you ever found yourself using this disqualifying phrase? Why did you say it? If you’ve been disqualifying yourself as a “sales person”, let me help you to be more realistic.

What’s Wrong With Wanting More?

July 18, 2016 No Comments

We all want more of the good things and less of the bad things in life. Is that wrong? The desire for more isn’t wrong. But for things that are truly important to you, your approach needs to go beyond wanting “more”.

Situational Integrity: An Oxymoron?

July 12, 2016 1 Comment

We can likely agree that integrity is an essential leadership attribute. Judging by their actions, some believe that integrity can and should be turned on and off light switch. That’s akin to believing you can be just a little bit pregnant.

Possibility Thinking vs. Necessity Thinking

May 24, 2016 No Comments

It’s been said that people can be placed into one of two categories: Possibility Thinkers or Necessity Thinkers. Which are you? How would you characterize the people you lead?

Choosing Your Calls To Action

April 25, 2016 No Comments

Leaders typically choose their approach intuitively without thinking about the choice. What if they gave it more thought?

Influencing Others: Intention vs. Technique

March 31, 2016 No Comments

Effective communication is all about influencing the thoughts and actions of others. There are countless “selling tactics” that you might apply to a given situation. But it is easy to shoot yourself in the foot with them. Why?

Tom’s Top 10 Reasons to Seek Executive Coaching

March 10, 2016 1 Comment

For those people who don’t live near the Idaho/British Columbia border who might want to understand more about Executive Coaching, allow me to share some situations where someone like me can make a valuable difference. Here are Tom’s Top 10 Reasons to Seek Executive Coaching.

How Coachable Are You?

February 23, 2016 No Comments

How is it that some really smart people fail to achieve at high levels? We’ve seen people with an apparent abundance of knowledge, intellect and skills. But they flounder. Why does that happen? Perhaps the answer lies in asking: Are You Coachable or Merely Teachable?

How Do You Address Stress?

February 8, 2016 No Comments

The “Stress Free Workplace” is an Oxymoron. There very few stress-free jobs or organizations today. That’s not always a bad thing. Stress is not something that should be avoided at all times. Stress can serve some very positive purposes. But when it reaches a level where job performance and health suffer, it’s time to take a closer look and ask: What is Stress Management?

Challenging Your Naysayers

January 19, 2016 3 Comments

How often do new and different ideas and approaches meet with resistance?
In any team or group there are naysayers. The bean counter who says: “We can’t afford it” The engineer who proclaims: “That will never work.” or “It can’t be done.” The tenured folks who may say: “That’s not how we do things here.”
It’s enough to drive an optimist into submission. And sometimes it does.

Tom Lemanski Featured on Money for Lunch

January 18, 2016 No Comments

Thanks to Bert Martinez for having me, Marshall Goldsmith and Jason Drohn as guests on his Blog Talk Radio Show Money for Lunch. Here’s a ink to listen to the show.

Top Three Challenges to Getting Promoted

December 15, 2015 No Comments

Want to move up The Corporate Ladder? Here are three hurdles to getting promoted to a higher position, along with some other ideas and suggestions.

Who is Your Sounding Board?

December 3, 2015 1 Comment

Consider your most important decisions. If you’re always sure that your ideas are on target, you’re flirting with arrogance and carelessness. Conversely if you’re constantly questioning your actions, you likely lack conviction and/or confidence to push the start button. In either case, I offer this question: Who is your Sounding Board?

Debunking Your Need for Speed

November 24, 2015 3 Comments

Time is our most limited resource. Your supply is limited. The demand for your time is not. What happens when the demand for your time is greater than your supply?

Why Can’t My People Think for Themselves?

November 10, 2015 No Comments

How often are you frustrated by the lack of thought, imagination, ingenuity and creativity that you receive from those around you? Let’s explore the answer to the ever frustrating question: Why Can’t My People Think for Themselves?

What is Your Role?

October 24, 2015 No Comments

Role awareness is a personal success component that can be assessed, measured and quantified. After utilizing this insight for both clients and candidates for over 10 years, I’ve grown to value its importance to executive success for both leaders and the people they lead.

Your Pursuit of Grit

October 15, 2015 1 Comment

Why is “grit” worthy of pursuing? We’ve all observed how some people pursue success more effectively than others. Through the ages, researchers have shard theories about the right stuff needed to pursue success. What’s different about high achievers? How can you get some of it for yourself?

Employee Engagement: Beyond the Buzz Words

September 29, 2015 No Comments

If you are leading an organization, employee engagement is something you want to get or work to improve. And with that as a goal, leaders set out to get more engagement as if it’s like getting more office supplies. So before you hire consultants to do surveys and install new engagement systems, please proceed with caution. Avoid making employee engagement the latest management flavor of the month. Let’s get a better handle on this elusive intangible.

Peak Productivity Season is Now

September 15, 2015 No Comments

Your 2015 Window of Opportunity is open: Summer vacations are complete. Labor Day weekend has passed. Thanksgiving is 12 short weeks away. Your window of opportunity for making the most of your 2015 is open now.

Leadership Breakthroughs Archives

Chronological Post Listing

Category Listing

Use the drop down menu to find a topic category.

Search by Keyword

Post Archives

Tom Lemanski

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site.