Normal is overrated. That is the main principle I took from the inspiring true story of Bethany Hamilton, played by AnnaSophia Robb, in the movie Soul Surfer. Hamilton was a teenage surfing champion who lost her left arm in a shark attack but worked her way back to champion status once again. With the dvd arriving August 2nd, […]
Archive | Performance
14 Things People Feel When Leadership Is Failing
Brian Dodd on July 30, 2011 in Character, Church Leadership, Generosity, Performance, Sports Leadership
What is happening in American politics related to the debt ceiling is frustrating and embarrassing. I’m not the only one that feels that way. Notice the comments compiled in the  July 27th edition of USA Today. When leadership fails, here is how your people are feeling and what they are focused on: Results – “Just get […]
17 Leadership Quotes From A Conference Call Between John Maxwell And Microsoft COO Kevin Turner
Brian Dodd on July 28, 2011 in Character, Increasing Capacity, Performance, Relationships
Tonight I had the privilege of listening to a conference call between my former boss, the legendary John Maxwell and Microsoft COO Kevin Turner. As you know Microsoft is a global organization with over 43,000 employees with $62B in 2010 revenue. Enjoy these key learnings from Kevin: “The beautiful about being in the technology field….is […]
What Leadership Is Truly All About
Brian Dodd on July 24, 2011 in Church Leadership, Performance, Sports Leadership
Leadership is about mobilization. It’s about advancement, problem-solving, resourcing, team building, accomplishment, and the achievement of goals. You can also say it’s about character, communication, creativity, perseverance, and planning. But for new leaders just starting out, can we center the target and identify simply one thing that leadership is about? As leaders we can often focus on […]
What To Do Next When You No Longer Feel Challenged: Leadership Lessons From Michael Phelps
Brian Dodd on July 23, 2011 in Performance, Sports Leadership
Do you no longer feel challenged by your current job or assignment? Are you bored? What do you do next when it appears you have accomplished all your goals? There has to be more to this life than this, isn’t there? In yesterday’s USA Today, legendary Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps is profiled in a front-page article […]
9 Qualities People Always Notice About You
Brian Dodd on July 19, 2011 in Character, Performance, Sports Leadership
Newly elected NFL Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders recently appeared on Atlanta’s 790 The Zone morning show. Deion said something very interesting. “I made my best plays in practice.” Asked why he played so hard during practice, he said, “I couldn’t bear watching myself on film the next day getting beat.” There are several […]
How To Know A Good Opportunity When You See One
Brian Dodd on July 14, 2011 in Performance, Relationships
As leaders, one of the things we all hope to have is options. Options provide the following: The sense of not being boxed in. The ability to do what is best for your family. The ability to say “No”. Leverage during negotiations. A growth track. Perks. Creative freedom. Financial opportunity. But how do you know how […]
The Incredible Power And Potential Of An Imbalanced Life
Brian Dodd on July 12, 2011 in Performance
I am looking at many aspects of leadership differently today. One of things I am viewing through a different lens if the difference between a balanced, broad-based skill set vs. an imbalanced approach of focusing all your efforts in only doing a few things well. If I were forced to choose, I am advising young leaders to take the imbalanced approach. An imbalanced life allows […]
12 Minutes A Day That Can Change A Leader’s Life
Brian Dodd on July 9, 2011 in Increasing Capacity, Performance
Are you searching for the missing link or silver bullet that could unlock the creativity or new ideas that could take your organization to higher levels? Ron Alexander, author of Wise Mind, Open Mind, may have found the answer. Alexander has a therapy and coaching practice that works with creative clients such as Disney. He asks […]
14 Quotes And Principles On The Leadership Of Jack Welch Part 2
Brian Dodd on July 5, 2011 in Performance
The following is Part 2 of CNBC’s Titans series recapping their profile of General Electric CEO Jack Welch. To read Part 1, click here. “Jack is a master of the hand-written note.” – Matt Lauer “Another things great CEOs do is they, with their limited time and presence they get personally involved in ways that are symbolic […]
19 Quotes And Principles On The Leadership Of Jack Welch Part 1
Brian Dodd on July 4, 2011 in Character, Generosity, Performance
CNBC’s Titans profiles the world’s greatest business leaders and is the finest program of its type on television. Recently, they featured the iconic former General Electric CEO Jack Welch. The following is the first part of a series that captures the leadership quotes and principles from the man called “Manager of the Century” by Fortune magazine. When asked who […]
9 Steps That Can Unleash Greatness In Others
Brian Dodd on July 4, 2011 in Performance
As a leader, is there anything better than watching someone achieve more than they ever thought possible? I love creating environments where people can unlock and then unleash the potential inside of them. What a privilege it is watch dreams come true. But exactly how do you do that as a leader? The subject of greatness is very mystical. It […]