Tag: Back West

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[Life Back West] August 2011 – “Same Time Next Year”

Only the hopeful and the perhaps the ignorant confuse voluntary associations with work groups.

Yet the fact of the matter is that there are elements from the world of voluntary relationships that can help more than just a few work groups perform better and even have a little more fun.

These opportunities for shared lessons came to mind with the fifth version last month of what’s become an annual pilgrimage up to San Francisco Recreation & Park’s Camp Mather near the Hetch Hetchy and Yosemite Valleys in the California Sierras.… Read the rest

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Think!

IBM founder and CEO Thomas Watson had a sign in his office – and more signs plastered throughout the firm.

Aretha Franklin sang about it in the movies.

Buddha noted “What we think we become.”

So why don’t we think more?

The thought came to mind as I trekked back from a week-long stay at San Francisco’s Camp Mather, a place in the high Sierras near Yosemite.… Read the rest

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Practice What You Preach?

The advice I give my executive coaching clients (same thing to the leadership and startup teams I work with but that’s a different subject) is to take periodic breaks.

The research, for example in works by people like John Medina (Brain Rules) is pretty clear and persuasive; intermittent breaks give your mind and body a chance to recharge, refresh, and replenish.… Read the rest

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When Whispers Beckon: Someone Getting Fired?

There are execs who can’t seem to say goodbye – Howard Schultz and Michael Dell come to mind – while there are those who perform well such as Proctor & Gamble’s Art Lafley, who move on when their time as a CEO is up.

The latter types of leaders make the transition to “civilian” status from the CEO role with grace and timeliness. … Read the rest

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Why Does “Slow Down” Make You Go Faster?

The situation with my 30-person startup client is common; they’re growing so fast, and have so much to do that they don’t have time to stop and think.

And in the rush, predictable things happen; mistakes get made, rework has to be done, and you end up taking two steps forward and one step back. Thinking has taken a back set to action.… Read the rest