It’s no secret. Managing people well is one of the more challenging jobs of a business leader. Human beings are inherently unpredictable, relationships require proper care and feeding – which sometimes means having difficult, what many would say are very unpleasant conversations.
Holding people accountable can be one of the most time-consuming and thankless jobs out there. Maybe that’s why many leaders struggle to do it – or don’t do it as consistently and relentlessly as they should. The payback isn’t always immediate or apparent, the conversations can be difficult and there’s way too many other priorities.
It’s just as important to follow the money as follow your passion. And, contrary to popular belief, you’re better off doing only a very few things that you do exceptionally well - and finding others to do the rest.
My mother was a librarian. That’s the “excuse” that I often give when my clients and other people in my circle accuse me of overloading them in the book recommendation department.
Vern Harnish once said “There are two qualities I have noticed in those who get where they want to go. While intelligence, passion, and discipline are all useful qualities, success belongs to those who have these two attributes – an insatiable need to learn and an unquenchable penchant for action.” But there is one more missing quality that all leaders need to have - if they want to be successful.
Why the fundamentals? Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Packers, was famous for saying at the start of every season, “Gentleman, this is a football.” Lombardi knew the power of...
