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I had the opportunity this month to interview Walter C. Rakowich on the topic of transparency in the leader. Walt’s extensive experience at Prologis, Inc., as director of several educational and philanthropic organizations, and on the Global Leadership Council at Colorado State University made him an excellent choice to talk
There is one topic in the book I authored, Dare to Serve, that gets a disproportionate number of comments. It is the section where I tell the readers that I was summarily fired from my position as President, Chief Concept Officer of KFC in the fall of 2003. Readers tell
How well do your team leaders and team members collaborate during the workday? According to the cover story on the January/February 2016 issue of the Harvard Business Review, global organizations have seen a 50 percent increase over the past two decades in collaborative activities. The article notes that the time required
Meet Kirk Kinsell, President & CEO of Loews Hotels & Resorts: Kirk, in your leadership experience, how important is the notion of collaboration in organizations – and how do you define it? I define collaboration as people – better yet, different groups of people – that work together on a common
In seventh grade, I played piano in my junior high Jazz Band. It was six or seven budding musicians – a sax, a couple horns, a clarinet, a bass, a piano and a drum set – and the band leader was our teacher. Our sound probably fell short of New
Last week I posted my interview of Dina Dwyer on coaching. When I asked her to answer these questions, she said ‘sure, as long as you will answer them too!’” So I did. In this week’s blog, you will find my personal take on the questions that I asked Dina
Did you have a favorite coach or mentor in your career who invested in your development? I have so many mentors yet there are two favorites and I call them mom and dad. My father, Don Dwyer, Sr., taught me work ethic. Growing up in the Dwyer household was a
I don’t know about you, but I have never figured out the difference between coaching and mentoring when talking about the development of leaders. I’m sure there is a difference – but whether you call it coaching or mentoring – I think developing great leaders is one of the most
Guest post by Chip R. Bell The word “mentor” comes from The Odyssey, written by the Greek poet Homer. As Odysseus is preparing to go fight the Trojan War, he realizes he is leaving behind his only heir, Telemachus. Since “Telie” (as he was probably known to his buddies) is
In the Q&A blogs, I answer a question that I have been asked recently by a developing leader. This month the question is: As a leader, what do you do when your passion wanes? Leadership can be demanding. Leaders can become weary, even exhausted. Passion can evaporate and we plod forward,
This week I interviewed Joel Manby, CEO SeaWorld, on the topic of leading in tumultuous times — when leadership is anything but easy and convenient. Joel shares his perspective on serving your team well in difficult times. Don’t miss these important insights for your leadership. Tell me about a brave act
Purpose is the new conversation point, especially as Millennials are the new generational majority in our workplace. The reality: purpose is often discussed. From purpose-driven to purpose-centered, purpose continues to be a focal point. The difference may be in how it is playing an earlier role in careers, which is
The Inconvenience of Leadership Was it convenient for Winston Churchill to lead England through World War II? Was it convenient for Florence Nightingale to lead the nurses in the Crimean war? Was it convenient for Martin Luther King, Jr. to lead the fight for civil rights? Was it convenient for
Guest post by Molly Fletcher Fearlessness is an engine that can get us to a goal and overcome the biggest obstacles. So how do we nurture it in our lives to get more of it? The fear part of our brain can adapt if we practice new habits—the same way
Meet Phil Cordell – Global Head, Focused Service Brands, Hilton Worldwide You are often referred to as a passionate leader. Where does that passion come from? Passion comes from the heart. As leaders, we’re often challenged to find a balance between “head and heart.” Obviously, we need to establish strategic
By Mary Schaefer: Years ago my boss and I were talking about a controversial decision within the company. We in HR were charged with presenting it. It was not going be well received by the employee community. This news I could handle. The bigger issue for me was how the
Last month, at the Popeyes International Franchise Conference, our theme was Voices of Bravery: The Bold Lead Change. As part of our inspiring speaker line-up, I had the honor and privilege of interviewing Ms. Danielle Green. You may remember Danielle’s inspiring speech when she was given the Pat Tillman Award
Question: How do I explain servant leadership to my team? Answer: The first step is you demonstrate servant leadership to your team. Last week I attended the Popeyes international franchise conference in the windy city of Chicago, Illinois. This is the highlight of our year, as we gather with restaurant
Today I have the distinct pleasure of introducing you to my “boss,” Mr. John Cranor, Chairman of the Popeyes board of directors. Over the last 8 years, John has been a great boss. He has challenged me, encouraged me, and listened to my ideas. He has made me feel valued
Guest post by Paul Gustavson “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway” – John Wayne Have you ever faced making a difficult decision that you knew could change everything? Perhaps it was a decision that kept you up at night causing you to wonder and worry; a
I get asked often to share my favorite leadership quotes – so I thought I would close out 2016 with some inspiring words for the Dare to Serve leaders working to be a better version of themselves! Here we go: “Consider others more significant than yourselves.” – Ancient Literature This
Leaders have many balls to keep in the air: staffing, profitability, safety. The list goes on and on. But one item that can never be left off the list or ignored is ethics. Companies that don’t make ethics a priority create needless problems and challenges for their businesses, staff, and
Leadership apart from personal accountability is detached superiority. Lack of personal accountability on the part of leaders results in isolation, artificial interactions, and shallow relationships. Leaders who stand aloof from personal accountability: Lean toward authoritarian exclusivity. Practice hypocrisy, if they expect others to be accountable to them. Exude arrogance. Stay
Recent events have once again reminded us of the impact of unethical business practices on a famous, trusted brand and company – this time the name is Wells Fargo. The banking giant was fined $185-million dollars after an investigation determined more than 2-million bank and credit card accounts were opened
A lot of businesses are having a difficult year—and it has raised this question to the top of my list: What does leadership look like in challenging times? What does a servant leader do when facing trials at work? Here are some thoughts and questions to help you when you
Some say that you cannot be humble and confident at the same time. How would you respond to that statement? So much depends on how we think of these two qualities. If humility means being easily dominated, or weak, there’s not much incentive for a leader to be humble. If we
Previously published on BecomingMinimalist.com. “We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.”– Rabindranath Tagore Humility is a funny thing. In fact, my grandfather used to tell us that he won a medal for his humility, but it was taken away when he began to wear it.
One of the more interesting servant leadership questions I am asked is this: can you be humble and confident? This question stems from inaccurate assumptions about these two words. First, the assumption that humility looks weak. Second, the assumption that confidence looks like self-centered pride. Both are wrong. Humility is acknowledging that
“3 Rules to Being a Leader, Give, Give, Give!.” Millennials—currently and most commonly described as lazy, self-interested and entitled—will make up 75% of the workforce over the next decade. The shift is inevitable… but you have the power to really be a leader and influence how millennials will evolve as
Great leaders are transparent. Statements like this, or any others involving the words leader and transparent, have become so common or in vogue by those who write or speak about leadership (in other words, people like me) as to be cliché, and transparency in this context is now seen as
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