Three Characteristics Of An Influential Leader

There’s a simple test you can take to see if you’re a leader: turn around and see if anyone is following you. People may follow you for all kinds of reasons. I tend to break them into three categories: They follow you because they have to – you are an authority over them. They follow you because they need to …

10 Communication Myths We Thought Were True

I am taking a break from writing for a few days to strategize for the second half of 2012 and for a speaking engagement in Southern California. While I’m away, I’m re-posting some of my most popular posts from the last year. I hope you enjoy reading or re-reading these posts. I’ll be back and better than ever on July …

5 Questions That Will Change Your Perspective, Not Your Problem

I am taking a break from writing for a few days to evaluate the second half of 2012 and for a speaking engagement in Southern California. While I’m away, I’m re-posting some of my most popular posts from the last year. I hope you enjoy reading or re-reading these posts. I’ll be back and better than ever on July 16, …

Five Ways To Deal With Difficult People

I am taking a break from writing for a few days to evaluate the second half of 2012 and for a speaking engagement in Southern California. While I’m away, I’m re-posting some of my most popular posts from the last year. I hope you enjoy reading or re-reading these posts. I’ll be back and better than ever on July 16, …

The Three W’s Necessary To Accomplish Your Goals

I had a recent conversation with a group of young people at a leadership roundtable. As we went around the table, each shared about success and failure as it related to using their time wisely each day. Some people acknowledged their tendency to procrastinate while others talked about the pressure of deadlines. Throughout the conversation, the one thing crystal clear …

How To Choose A Positive Attitude When You Feel Negative

I just returned from a great conference called Storyline. The whole conference was dedicated to learning how to live a better, more significant story with your life. The conference took place in downtown Portland. What an incredibly fun city. On my way home from the conference, my truck broke down about an hour from home. I ended up having to …

Twelve Questions To Evaluate Your Student Leadership Year

Did you learn anything this year? My hope is that you have taken the time to think about your student leadership experience. I am amazed at how many students will invest an entire year in student leadership and then just walk away. Do you know how many valuable lessons you might have if you just take the time to think …

Five Things To Accomplish In A Campaign Speech

In my previous post, I listed five things to AVOID in a campaign speech. In this post, I want to point out five things you need to accomplish throughout the course of your speech. As you step to the front of the room, be it a classroom or an auditorium, your main goal in presenting your campaign speech is to …