Have you noticed the efforts to diminish the compensation or banking honchos and Wall Street hotshots?
Or at least make it look that way.
Our friends at Goldman Sachs are in the forefront, which should give you lots of confidence that the effort is for real.
The bonuses are in restricted stock that has to be held at least five years, so if the stock value went down 20% the banker would receive only $8 million instead of the $10 expected—poor baby, a lousy $8 million dollars, that’s terrible! Of course, the stock goes up 20% they’ll pick up an extra two mil.
Goldman …read more

I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do.  That is character!
            —- Theodore Roosevelt
Action Plan:  When did it happen that ethics, and doing the right thing, became negotiable?   When did we start admiring businesses and business leaders who didn’t do the right thing, yet made tons of money?  Has earning lots of money now become the new “doing the right thing?”
This week I urge you to take a look at how your work behavior is consistent (or inconsistent) with ethical principles.   Do you live and …read more

You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.
                                    — Rosalyn Carter
This week’s action plan:  It’s easy to believe in yourself, when everyone around you believes in you as well.  But how often is this the case? 
Sometimes the people around us are looking to poke holes in our theories, subvert our decisions, and undermine authority.  How easy it is then to question our abilities.
Put a system into place today, so that you have the support you will need tomorrow.  Whether it’s a pep talk that you can give yourself, a series of affirmations …read more

The latest Seattle storm raised all sorts of havoc around the area.  Most of us viewed the situation as one to endure, and to get through.  Some people, however, saw the situation as an economic opportunity.
On a street near where I live, a man was selling firewood from his truck while parked off to the side of the road.  I have seen him set up shop here for as long as I’ve lived in the neighborhood, at least 12 years.  I’ve been a regular customer for much of that time.
Usually, I’ll stop by to pick up some firewood, filling up …read more

One of the new features here at Leadership Turn involves moving the leadership thought for the week to Monday.  While originally I thought that a little mid-week motivation was a good thing (and it is), I really wanted to do more than just share a thought.  I wanted to challenge all of us to work and focus on what the thought meant, and how we could introduce it into our business and personal lives.
Today represents that change.  I hope the thought brings you motivation for the week, but more than than, I hope you accept the challenge which follows. 
Really great people always see the best …read more

Although the 30-second elevator speech has become one of the required skills to have in your leadership repertoire, I’ve been resisting it every step of the way.
I’ve read all the reasons about why it’s important.  It basically boils down to having a creative, yet solid, answer to the question “what do you do?” and having it practiced and memorized until it rolls automatically off your tongue.  It’s seen as a chance to sell yourself and your skills. 
Many “experts” suggest that you craft your mini-speech in such a way as to capture someone’s attention, pushing them into asking for more information …read more

With the advancing technology of digital cameras and photo editing software, you may have a friend or associate who can step up and take a publicity photo for you.   However, unless your friend has professional equipment and a trained eye, it is unlikely that the photo will rival the quality of a studio portrait. 
If you need a photo in a hurry, this is a good option.  I recommend going for a casual look, then, rather than trying to simulate a portrait.  Again, unless you’re dealing with a pro, there’s just too much left to chance.
Consider a photo shoot showing you …read more

How we deal with misfortune can make the difference between defeat and victory in our lives.
We’ve all heard stories about Thomas Edison.  He went through thousands of unsuccessful attempts before coming up with the filament light bulb.  When his factory was virtually destroyed by fire, he simply remarked that the disaster provided him with new opportunities to start again, and weeks later he invented the phonograph.
How many of us, when faced with misfortune, have that same outlook as Edison?  We view these misfortunes as failures.  We must learn, however, that these failures, properly handled, lead to great personal growth and professional success.
Here …read more

As you promote within your company, you will find increased opportunity to be visible, both within your workplace and without.  One way that you may be asked to represent the company is by speaking at an event, organize a conference, or participate in a public forum.
These are wonderful opportunities for both personal and professional growth.  But these are not opportunities for you to just “wing it.”  They required preparation, perhaps even more so than in your normal business routine.  Delivering remarks, giving a speech, moderating a panel, and introducing a conference participant all look like easy tasks.  They are easy, …read more

I’ve written a lot lately about how important it is for us to compliment, praise, and thank others. 
Equally important, however, is learning how to graciously accept compliments, praise and thanks from others.  All to often, we tend to brush aside the kind words of others, either because we are embarrassed, don’t feel worthy, or simply don’t know how to handle it.
The worst way to handle compliments, is to brush it aside with a casual “it’s nothing” or “oh, I don’t really deserve it.”  Those words denigrate the belief and esteem of the person extending the compliment.
We should always honor the …read more