I am a raving fan of Ben Horowitz! He is one of Silicon Valley’s most respected and experienced entrepreneurs. A lot of people talk about how great it is to start and run a business, but Ben is brutally honest about how hard it is to run one. He is the author of two books…
Dysfunctional teams are a way to leave money on the table – and more than you might imagine. Such teams find it difficult to agree and reliably follow through. Too many members are more focused on their issues (the I’s) and not a team player. With too many I’s on a leadership team, there is…
What happens when “well-known truths” about business and leadership become misdirected over time and start creating challenges in helping your employees thrive? One of my mantras is to always seek different perspectives and points of view. And in that vein – I highly recommend the book Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to…
The survival and success of privately held and family owned businesses depends on many factors. One of the most significant factors is a board of advisors. Yet an American Family Business Survey reports that almost half the boards of these types of businesses meet only once or twice a year, over 60% don’t compensate directors,…
A Gazelle? What’s that got to do with your business or social organization? The answer is FAST like a Gazelle (one of the fastest animals on the planet!). Fast growth. Compounding growth. A gazelle organization grows at least 20% year on year. And what is the key to such growth? The answer is Agility. Agility…
What keeps many businesses from growing? For larger companies, it is often maturing markets and inflexible organizations that dampen growth. However, closely held and entrepreneurial companies are built for growth. They operate in a world of innovation, rapidly changing technology, and entrepreneurial passion. For these businesses the challenge is not how to grow, it’s how…