“Leadership: the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” – President Dwight D. Eisenhower This week, I am pleased to announce a new 9-part series entitled: “The Seven Deadly Sins of Leadership.” Thousands of readers pursued our most recent blog series “The 8 Steps to Sure Success”. It was so successful and popular to our readers that it motivated me to begin composing another multi-part series. This week’s article is a brief introduction to the impending series about the Seven Deadly Sins of modern business leaders. I’m confident in my opinion that most of us have, at one time or another, worked for a “bad” leader. I can recall several situations in which I literally despised my boss or “leader” at work! I employ a veteran of the US military and he once told me about a quote. One of his drill instructors barked at the recruits during recruit training. The drill instructor told his platoon, “A good leader never requires his troops to engage in work that he is not willing to do himself.” How many times has your boss given you a directive that you know deep down that they would never do themselves? I can think of countless times this has happened through the years! Nothing loses respect of subordinates like a boss that barks orders. Especially ones they’d never do themselves if the roles were reversed! Being a leader is probably the most difficult challenge any of us will ever face. At least during the course of our professional careers. It matters not how long we work at it, but practicing the proper behaviors is a never-ending task. Knowing and evading misguided behaviors is also never-ending. Therefore, over the next several months we will discuss the Seven Deadly Sins of Leadership and how to avoid them! Peter Drucker was once quoted as saying that “management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” Great leaders possess sensational social intelligence, the drive for change, and above all, a vision that grants them the ability to set their sights on the issues that truly merit attention. It would be irresponsible if we didn’t at least try to include these skill sets in our leadership quiver! So be sure to check in next week as we discuss the first Deadly Sin of Leadership – RELEVANCE. ...
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Most of you reading this are familiar with the phrase, “The Seven Deadly Sins” as they are commonly referred to. Such sins include: greed, lust, gluttony, pride, wrath, sloth, and envy. I do not wish to compose an article about those sins. Rather, over the course of the next several weeks, I am going to address another list of deadly sins – The Seven Deadly Sins of Leadership! Such pitfalls are ones that a great leader must avoid. There are many leadership mistakes that are worthy of mention but are survivable…and then there are the ones I consider “deadly.” We learned that General Motors was recently forced to issue a massive recall of hundreds of thousands of vehicles, yet, it’s stock is strong and there is no concern for GM’s or their CEO, Mary Barra’s future. Now, compare that negative news with Donald Sterling, the longtime owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. All of those years of successful ownership status were instantly washed-away by an indiscreet and undisciplined tongue during private conversation. Or, consider the former CEO of Mozilla, Brendan Eich. He was considered a smart and highly successful leader of his company. His mistake was writing a $1,000 check in support of California’s Proposition 8. No one knows, no one cares, right? Wrong. Once the mainstream media caught-wind of his fiscal support for Prop-8, he was forced to resign. The modern age of hyper-political correctness can be extremely toxic for today’s business leaders. Leadership in the modern business-world exists in quite a toxic environment. My goal is to help keep those toxins from poisoning your future, so let’s go! The first of seven deadly sins of leadership is RELEVANCY. General Motors CEO, Mary Barra’s position is safe and secure. She admitted to the faulty ignition switch that can inadvertently turn-off the passenger’s side airbag. It’s been reported that more than a dozen deaths have resulted from that faulty ignition switch. However, Barra was hailed as a competent leader and was even praised for her handling of the crisis. The recall will cost GM hundreds of millions of dollars and several dead costumers. Yet, she keeps her job with praise! Compare that to Brendan Eich’s sending $1,000 check to a cause he privately supported in which no one was killed or injured, yet he was tossed out of his job. So why the dramatic contrast? One word – RELEVANCY. Mozilla is not in the business to form or persuade public opinion with respect to gay rights or gay marriage. And the thousand dollar check revealed a breach in relevancy as perceived by the stockholders. You may wonder, how do you stay relevant? 1. Know your focus. Know your business, your customers, your bottom-line, and especially your job! 2. Stay away from the flash points that stoke the emotional fires on both sides of your...
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In this week’s DIY video, Andrew explains the importance of finishing the basement. Basements are common in many areas of the country. Many use the basement as a storage space and therefore leave the basement unfinished. Don’t make the mistake of cutting corners! Go the extra mile and clean up that basement space! It could be a deciding factor for some buyers. ...
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In this week’s DIY video, Andrew explains his thought process behind designing multiple baths. ...
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