Trust Me, It’s Possible

Your big idea.  In the beginning it feels impossible.  On one hand, you know that can’t be true.  Very few ideas are actually impossible.  But on the other hand it doesn’t really seem possible either.  It seems so unclear.  So far away.  So hard.  So foreign.  It can paralyze you. I’ve been there.  It’s a…

An Open Letter to Retail Stores – You Need to Serve People to Survive

Dear Retailers, Where are all the sales people who actually serve people? Where are all the people who look beyond the value of a single transaction—and instead make it their job to become experts and build relationships?  That’s what hooks a buyer, has them believe in you, has them buy from you, has them come…

You Go First: How Corporate Culture Really Changes

Most efforts to change corporate cultures are an utter waste of time, energy and money.  There’s always a clever framework full of boxes and lines along with a sharp person who can expertly explain how they all connect.  Data is gathered for each, and plans for change are created.  It all sounds undeniably smart. Then it…

Leadership Training is an Oxymoron

You can’t train someone to be a leader. You can provide a context in which they can learn to be leaders.  That’s everywhere, every day.  People learn to lead when their butt is on the line.  They learn to lead when they clarify a vision with others and then, through trial and error, make it…

“I F**ked Up”

Let’s face it, if you’re trying to do anything complex or difficult (which we all are), you’re going to screw up.  You’re going to leave out a basic step in a simple process and look like an idiot.  You’re going to send a “benign” email that pisses people off.  You’re going to waste time on…

Good vs Bad Goal Setting

The worst kind of goal setting is no goal setting.  Processes get detached from objectives.  No one knows why they’re doing what they’re doing.  No one knows if they’re making progress.  No one feels inspired.  Over time, a descent into lethargy and failure ensues.  No goals = no meaningful direction. Only slightly better than no…

An Extraordinary Book Party

Thank you Steven and Liz Edersheim for hosting an extraordinary book party for me Feb 21st in New York City.  The feeling of love and support from everyone in attendance was wonderful.  It’s something I’ll never forget. One of my favorite shots of the night was renowned leadership expert Frances Hesselbein embracing the book with a…

Do Women Take as Many Risks as Men?

Originally published February 27, 2013 on Harvard Business Review by Doug Sundheim One week before delivering the final manuscript of my book, Taking Smart Risks, I came to a disturbing realization. There were 38 stories in the book, but only seven were about women. Jill Logan, an employee helping me get the final product out the…