Leadership
Managing Oneself: Why I Needed a Coach, Part 1
As a junior leader in the early 1990s, adequately trained in my craft and fully competent, I still had things I did not know. Before switching specialties from Field Artillery (FA) to Military Intelligence (MI), I was filled with apprehension. I had no mentor, there were no other officers to ask, so, in normal Burl…
Read MoreWhat Help Do CEO’s Need?
“The affected group normally knows best what they need.” I like to conduct some research on a topic before I share my curated thoughts. Research on this subject required more effort than I expected. The results of my Google search, “What do CEOs need help with?”, were a series of articles that provided input to…
Read MoreCEO Professional Development: I’m No Superperson
Long ago, as a junior leader, I learned that, “Everything I know is not everything there is to know.” Fast forward 15 years to when I became a CEO; this maxim was even more prevalent. There was much more to know, leading 400 versus leading 40. The number of moving pieces, the complexity of problems,…
Read MoreRebranding: Rejuvenating Your Business, Part II
“Every organization has a brand, whether they created it or not.” There’s almost nothing better than having positive brand recognition. Unfortunately for many companies, their negative reputation has become their sullied brand. Some publicity or exposure is not always better than none. Businesses can sometimes share a few human characteristics: They can evolve and grow…
Read MoreRebranding: Rejuvenating Yourself and Your Business, Part I
“Everyone has a brand, whether they know it or not.” Many people do not realize that everyone has a brand. The unfortunate part is that your brand may not truly convey who you are. According to the American Marketing Association, branding is “the process of creating a unique identity for your business that resonates with…
Read MoreWhy There’s Anxiety in Accountability
“It’s not personal.” In leaders, enforcing accountability can create significant anxiety. Leaders speak about holding people accountable, but their actions are often incongruent with those words. So, why is holding people accountable so difficult? Maybe because it feels personal, which can cause unforeseen problems. Why Familiarity Breeds Contempt When leaders begin to know people in…
Read MoreThe “Just Because You’re Black” Question
“Some things can only be learned from experience.” Great titles are a competitive advantage for writers and authors. Some would say that my title, “The ‘Just Because You’re Black’ Question,” is great but might be provocative. This could even be considered causing trouble, but much like the late, great John Lewis, I cause ‘Good…
Read MoreMentoring in the Moment: Who Coaches the Coach?
In our last segment for National Mentoring Month, I am discussing why coaches need mentors. As an Executive Coach, I can personally attest to having a mentor. While I may have a wealth of education and experience, I adhere to the philosophy that, “Everything I know is not everything there is to know.” Because a major part…
Read MoreInspiring Legacies That Last (c)
“Stop waiting to build your legacy, and start living it today.” With nearly 32 years of military leadership, a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership, and 10 years as a business owner, I am the wingman empowering executives to design their inspired life journey. Join me for the new Be BOLD Branding podcast episode: Inspiring…
Read MoreMentoring: A Living Legacy
Besides your family, mentoring is the best legacy you can have. I thought that this short vlog on legacy was appropriate for this month of mentoring. Who are you mentoring? What is your legacy? Whose legacy are you part of?
Read More