Leaders have a unique obligation to recognize the special connections they have with each other and to pay attention to the way they treat team members and customers.

Successful leaders know the power of habit. They have learned to move beyond self-discipline by creating habits that align with their goals and dreams.

It seems long overdue for leaders to learn how to practice the art of silence.

It’s time to lead more effectively by asking tough, honest questions and inviting constructive feedback from others.

Let’s ban business jargon altogether and use words and phrases that allow us to explore the context of a given situation or simply express what we actually mean.

In today’s volatile marketplace the most significant competitive edge leaders possess is themselves; their own emotional intelligence. When mistakes happen, and you know they will, it could be the power of your apology that saves the day.

Organizations and communities need more epiphanies. The power of fresh ideas, new eyes, and the courage to act…these ingredients will affect lasting social change.

A Christmas Dream poem (with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore and A Visit from St. Nicholas).

How might we, as leaders, avoid the distractions of our busy days and find time for the one thing that makes all other things real—being present for others?

Commit to practicing gratitude as a regular habit throughout the year, not just on a special day designated to celebrate it.

Controlling things is one of the reasons some people aspire to leadership. It’s a weak position to take since most of those who report to anyone in authority resist being controlled. Every human being values freedom and liberty over a tyrannical government or a domineering boss.

Leadership is more than managing efficiently; it is also about leading effectively. Being willing to think in new and different ways is one opportunity to do this.

While current business metrics may quantify the performance of employees or the company, that data only reveals part of the story.

When someone reaches the pinnacle of business power and position, it’s easy to forget where you started or to acknowledge how staying in touch with one’s roots might be a valuable leadership practice.

Dealing with passive-aggressors isn’t easy. That’s because their behavior may represent a pattern of thinking that triggers how they respond to conflict.

What if legacy also includes the intangibles a leader models during a lifetime – principles, values, behaviors – and yes, even labor.

The daily image we present is often quite different from the person we really are. If every mirror also reflected our fears, anxieties, and self-doubts would we behave differently?

The right questions have the power to change our frame of reference, to refocus our energy, to imagine new possibilities.

Zeal is defined as “eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something; fervor.” Synonyms include eagerness, enthusiasm, intensity, and passion.

Authentic leaders align what they think, say, feel, and do by humbly admitting mistakes or acknowledging what they don’t know.