You work in the real world, a messy place filled with exceptions, complications and people. When you are making decisions in real-world organizations, you must factor the following into your decision-making process, if you want to make the best decisions: The relative urgency of the decision. How fast must it be made? When the urgency level is high and you need to get on … [Read more...]
About Kevin Eikenberry
6 Secrets for Building your Confidence
As a leader, your confidence will take a hit at many times throughout your career. You will feel especially vulnerable early on in your career. When that happens, use these ideas to give your confidence a boost: Look at past success The best source for building your confidence is your past. Survey your entire life for successes. It doesn’t matter if those successes are in … [Read more...]
Last-Minute Shopping List for New Leaders
When I look back on the Christmases of my childhood, I have lots of fond memories. I remember when I got my Hot Wheels track, all shiny and orange (the loop-to-loop was amazing). I remember when I got my rock tumbler that I wanted so badly (but barely used). I remember my electric football game (with the Joe Namath action figure). I remember my slot hockey table (and how … [Read more...]
Making Sure You Aren’t the Know-it-All
Some time ago, I did a video that was very popular about Dealing with a Know-It-All. Recently a viewer asked us a key question, though: What if the know-it-all is you? https://youtu.be/X_6e4fYDhqg?rel=0&showinfo=0 Tweet it out: There is a difference being knowledgeable and being a "know-it-all." Remember that no one wants a know-it-all leader. @KevinEikenberry … [Read more...]
Being Thankful for Criticism
Thanksgiving is Thursday, and today I am asking you to choose to be grateful for something that you may have never said "Thanks" for: criticism. Especially criticism that comes from your employees. When you are a new leader, I know it's hard to hear that you aren't doing well or that your ideas are flawed. Hearing that from people who report to you can be infuriating. … [Read more...]
The New Leader’s Morning Routine
Does your morning routine set you up for success? No, I'm not talking about what you do after getting out of bed. I'm talking about what you do when you get to work. https://youtu.be/i3f0HJ-bXGk?rel=0&showinfo=0 Tweet it out: How you start your day determines how you will lead all day. @KevinEikenberry … [Read more...]
The First Delegation Question
Delegation is one of the most important skills for leaders to master. That's right, it's a skill. If you don't get this first question right from the outset, your efforts at delegating could be doomed to fail. https://youtu.be/pfxlM9in1gE?rel=0&showinfo=0 Tweet it out: Do you know why you are delegating? The wrong answer will lead to terrible results. (Hint, it isn't … [Read more...]
Should We Meet? – Bud to Boss FAQ
If you've ever doubted whether or not you should call that meeting...Kevin has the question that will give you the definitive answer. https://youtu.be/55c44vi6jI0?rel=0&showinfo=0 Tweet it out! Before you meet ask yourself - is a meeting the best way to achieve my goal? If not, don't schedule that meeting! @KevinEikenberry … [Read more...]
The Power of Thinking Good Thoughts
In his novel Shogun, James Clavell says: To think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world. If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral down into ever increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however, requires effort. This is one of the things that discipline – training – is about.” That is a powerful thought and one that is incredibly important for us … [Read more...]
What is Your Leadership Contribution?
I’m a big fan of questions, both reflective and projective questions, to help us learn, grow, plan and succeed. Here is a question stem I conduct for myself and one I encourage leaders at all levels to conduct on a regular basis. It starts with the simple question: What is my contribution? This question stem leads to some useful questions for us to consider as leaders. … [Read more...]