When I engage with executives, I want to quickly evaluate their frame of reference. Do they respond from a transactional or strategic perspective? Here’s a great example you can try: “How’re we doing?” you ask. It’s a very simple question but the response tells you everything you need to know. Let’s use the head of […]

I couldn’t be more proud of Sonya and Kevin Brazeal, Founders of Amazing Window Cleaners, and Chris Schoen, CEO of Rapid Wristbands. They are both members of my Silver Fox Advisors‘ CEO Roundtable and 2022 Pinnacle Award Winners, the highest award presented to members of The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas. […]

I was working with a company that was exceeding revenue targets yet well below in EBITDA. I asked about profitability by product line and was told “It can’t be done. Too many variables.” Sorry – it can’t be done isn’t in my vocabulary. – We identified easy to determine revenue and expenses by product. – […]

It’s easy for a company to lose its way. Before long, layers of management and resources are justified for a purpose that’s not aligned with the core Values and Vision of the company. If it seems like you’re going in all different directions, take a step back and evaluate every activity. If it’s not in […]

I’ve had the pleasure of having great mentors in my business career. I’d seek them out whenever possible. One of the best was not a charismatic guy at all but a quiet, intellectual, operations, and financially focused executive. He’d take time with me to hear me out and provide sound advice. He never judged me […]

Most workers don’t aspire to leadership roles. That’s the key finding of The 2022 Everywhere Workplace Report by Invanti. In fact, well over the majority at 71% of employees are saying no to a promotion preferring working from anywhere instead. This is interesting data for organizations and leaders everywhere. First, it might settle the nerves […]

That’s a pretty harsh statement, I know. But hear me out… Chris can’t seem to get along with Susan. Kevin always comes in late. Derrick, well, he’s just a poor performer. And, Donna, seems to make everything about race, harassment, or favoritism. Face it, you’ve got a dismal group of employees. They’re bad and many […]

As leaders face the most volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous business conditions ever, one thing is clear: Talent is an organization’s most powerful and sustainable competitive advantage. As a result of the Great Resignation, the talent pipeline in many organizations may be running a bit dry. But, addressing this with creative solutions for attracting, developing, […]

Now you can imagine, if you don’t have deep WHY for climbing this mountain, what kind of torture would it be to debate every day “Is it worth it?” You have to want to climb because you are truly passionate about mountains. Passion can help make those pains just part of the journey; Passion can […]

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how” This famous quote from Nietzsche is the absolute foundation if you want to be successful in any hard endeavoring. To avoid making it an abstract philosophical discussion, let me share with you the “how” one has to bear on Mount Everest, the “how” […]