Comprehensive Archive of Leadership Breakthroughs Posts

Simon Sinek Meets Mr. Maslow

May 8, 2015 No Comments

Remembering Abraham Maslow: Most of us studied Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in college. His insight is intended to make us better managers and leaders by recognizing and responding to the evolving needs of our co-workers. If we understand that the lower level needs are prerequisites for moving up the pyramid, it is a leader’s responsibility to assure that unsatisfied lower level needs are not obstacles to higher levels of performance. How many of today’s leader’s have abandoned Maslow’s wisdom in favor of the next managerial shiny new object?

Working Virtually: A Double Edged Sword

May 6, 2015 No Comments

Virtual workplace arrangement can be liberating. You eliminate unproductive commuting, enhance work-life balance, minimize distractions and allow you to produce great work. But when it comes to consideration for your next promotion, visual absence does NOT make hearts grow fonder.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

April 13, 2015 No Comments

What are the negatives of of staying too long in a job? How can workers address them? How should leadership address them?

SMART Leadership is now Leadership Breakthroughs

April 2, 2015 1 Comment

This blog now has a new name. SMART Leadership is now “Leadership Breakthroughs”. Why the Change? What’s in it for YOU? Might you discover some “Breakthrough Ideas”? Read more.

Are You Opinionated or Open Minded?

April 2, 2015 No Comments

Now You Would You Characterize Yourself?
Would you say you’re more open minded? Or are you more opinionated?To be fair, we all have opinions. And, we all like to think of ourselves as open minded. How often do you hear anyone admit to being closed minded?

Taking the “NO” Out of Innovation

March 23, 2015 2 Comments

When it comes to saying no, we can agree that it’s an important ability. We all have limited resources. We can’t afford to simply say yes to requests for our time and money. But what about others’ ideas? How often are you quick to dismiss them with a diminishing NO or even a BUT? Has saying no to other people’s ideas become a habit? As a leader, how often do you quash your followers’ brainstorms? How many creative solutions are you missing?

Who Encourages You?

March 12, 2015 No Comments

We all have times when we could use a pep talk. Pretending that we don’t is unproductive self-deception. Let’s stop pretending. Allow me to ask: How do You Go About Finding Encouragement?

Tell Me Why I Don’t Like Mondays

March 5, 2015 1 Comment

Why Don’t People Like Mondays? In the working world, it’s one of these two reasons. Or both.

Leadership Simply Stated

February 17, 2015 No Comments

Leadership is about:
Looking at the status quo to determine what needs change.
Having the courage to commit to closing that gap.
Taking action to engage others in the cause.

Thumbs Up for Smart Phone Efficiency

February 9, 2015 2 Comments

Too Busy To Save Time?
Many of us are buying expensive phone upgrades without investing time to learn and appreciate some of their valuable features. I’m here to help you save both time and frustration and enhance your smart phone efficiency. It doesn’t take a genius.

The 4th “C” to Success

February 5, 2015 No Comments

As with Covey’s 8th Habit, I’ve discovered another “C” that is so essential to success that I’m compelled to publish this addendum.

Personal Branding Decision: Tom’s LinkedIn Profile Image

February 2, 2015 5 Comments

I’ve been using a caricature to enhance my personal branding. Now that I’ve had years of fun with this, I’m wondering: “Is it too much of a fun thing?” Is it time to move on? I’d love if you could weigh in with your vote and/or comments.

5 Blinding Bias Barriers to Effective Decision Making

January 19, 2015 No Comments

With all of the incredible brain power that we humans possess, we’re still prone to making really bad decisions.

Just Because You CAN Doesn’t Mean You SHOULD

January 9, 2015 No Comments

It’s one of my favorite sayings. It applies to a myriad of situations. Here are my Dirty Dozen examples of things you could do, but probably shouldn’t.

Qualifying Your Executive Coach

December 11, 2014 No Comments

Does it really make sense to buy a personalized professional service the same way you buy copy paper? It’s surprising how many don’t understand that an Executive Coaching engagement is NOT a transaction. It is a relationship.

360 Surveys: Why and Why Not?

December 1, 2014 No Comments

360⁰ Surveys can be a valuable tool for collecting and sharing constructive feedback for leaders. Like any tool, it needs to be used properly. With improper, misinformed use, you can defeat the purpose of the tool.

The Successor to Good To Great: Conscious Capitalism

November 24, 2014 8 Comments

Sometimes Good To Great’s compelling first line is true: “Good is the Enemy of Great”. Sometimes the reverse is true. In any case, I am hereby officially OFF the Good To Great bandwagon. I’ve found a new one. My ride was “good”. But there’s better.

My WHY for Coaching Certification

November 20, 2014 1 Comment

In sharing this recent personal achievement, I hope to, in turn, inspire YOU.

The Principal and The School Bus

October 14, 2014 No Comments

Delegation Reluctance: There an old adage. If you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself.

As long as you believe this is true, it will be. It’s one of several common excuses for NOT delegating.

Your Magic Number

September 30, 2014 No Comments

What is so special about 168? Until you are aware of the number’s significance, it’s nothing special. It can only have value for you when you understand the simple math behind it and what the components represent.

The Making of Tom’s Teaser Video

September 17, 2014 No Comments

Everyone Needs a Coach Once again I have proven that all of us can benefit from coaching. As a sometimes

Developing Your Leadership Maturity

September 11, 2014 1 Comment

What changes need to occur as managers advance from front line responsibilities to managing other managers to executive leadership to the C-Suite?

Blocked by Your Beliefs?

August 19, 2014 No Comments

As long has you harbor your self limiting beliefs, they are self fulfilling prophesies. And you are blocking your advancement.

Leadership Lessons from The Chicago Cubs

August 10, 2014 1 Comment

Cub’s management is actually giving us some leadership lessons as they execute their turnaround from their long-time losing legacy. Is it possible that they are creating a textbook turnaround that will be studied for ages? OK, that sounds just like an over-optimistic Cub fan. But hear me out.

When Silence is NOT Golden

August 5, 2014 No Comments

Have your people suddenly stopped coming to you with their problems and challenges? Contrary to the old saying: Silence is NOT always Golden. According to Colin Powell, there are two possible reasons for this break in communication.

What is Happiness Anyway?

July 16, 2014 No Comments

“Happiness” was so important to pursue, it was one of our founding founders core principles for their new system of government. Happiness has been an “unalienable right” for 238 years. In that time, the idea has progressed from an iconic idea to a science.

Blindsided By Bad Business Behavior?

July 8, 2014 No Comments

Sooner or later bad business behavior is going to get you. It happens to us all. And it happens without warning. Emotional outbursts triggered by anger, frustration, greed, or some other negative feeling.

Your success in these interactions will be determined by whether you choose to react or respond.

Distracted Listening – A Two Minute Solution

June 26, 2014 No Comments

We now have laws prohibiting distracted driving. It’s proven to be dangerous and sometimes fatal. If you’re not using your phone while you’re behind the wheel, it still leaves ample opportunities to stay connected with the wireless world. Once you’ve conquered the demons of distracted driving, your next challenge is distracted listening. This occurs when you’re physically with another person but your attention and interests are elsewhere.

Getting It Right

June 25, 2014 No Comments

Developmental Coaching: What’s “Right Action” all about? The Mutual Goal of Effective Coaching Every day is a new adventure. That’s a

It’s A Wonderful Business

June 20, 2014 1 Comment

Most of us born after 1954 HAVE missed the film Executive Suite. It depicts an internal struggle for control of a furniture manufacturing company after the unexpected death of the company’s President. As with the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life, the movie presents a powerful message about what should be really important when leading a business.

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Tom Lemanski

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