Do you ever wonder what was going through Nick Fury’s mind when he was picking a team? Or any other person that created something as great as the Avengers? Did they just pick people with quirky personalities who presented as misfits and hoped they would work well together? While some strategies work box-office great in movies, they do not play well in real life. And if it does, it’s rare. My point? Don’t take chances when picking a team. Remember, as their leader, their failures will be yours. Considering your failures are your own, too, it’s a lot of risk to leave it to fate and a good speech. As…

I don’t think there will ever come a time when we won’t need more people in high authority leading with accountability. It’s necessary in roles as small as store managers and as big as national leaders. So, why do some leaders think they don’t need to be accountable? When you’re in a position of power, it might feel like you answer to nobody. After all, you worked hard to get there. So, why should you answer to anyone, especially those beneath you? But this isn’t the right mindset. Having no accountability can have terrible consequences for you and the business. You are human and prone to mistakes. If you can’t…

I always thought I would have to be a parent to be caught in the middle of two people fighting. It turns out that I just needed to be a manager to resolve conflicts. A leader has many roles and this is one of the harder ones. Whether you’re ready or not, the people you are in charge of are bound to have different opinions, ideas, principles, and plans. Sometimes, the differences can escalate, leading to conflict in the workplace.  And don’t think it will only happen between two people. No, it could be three or more people. I’ve even encountered two or three groups of people in workplace conflict. …

Have you ever found yourself in one of those restaurants with a 20-page menu and felt completely overwhelmed? We all face a range of decisions every day, from what to have for breakfast to life-altering choices. For some people, making decisions is a breeze. But for others, like me, it’s a constant struggle. At least once a day, my wife says something to the tune of “It’s not life or death babe, it’s just a sandwich.” She’s right, and my inability to make quick decisions, even with silly things, sometimes irritates us both. While my lack of decision-making skills is frustrating sometimes, as it affects my leadership ability at work…

When you watch enough good movies about heroes pushed into a corner but coming out victorious because they had a good plan, you start to wonder how you, too, can become a strategic leader. I know I’ve pictured myself as Captain America a few times. I wondered if I could get the Avengers out of trouble with only a good plan. Am I worthy? As a good leader, you must have asked yourself the same. Whether new in management or a veteran, being a leader means your team or employees look for answers and strategies. They need you to be the guy who always has a plan. As an employee,…

I never thought I would embody the ‘it’s lonely at the top‘ stereotype. But it’s because I thought I would have no friends—I still did—so I thought it did not matter. That is until I realized I was alone in all aspects of leadership. I never thought I would need a second in command. You know that there are some problems other employees will never be able to understand. There are some challenges unique to leadership roles. Worst of all, they are problems you cannot share with the rest of the team because again…they are leadership challenges. With time, maintaining your energy can become challenging. Not only do all leadership…

Who is the best leader? The following example will show you why balancing empathy and authority is necessary for good leadership.  The first kind of leader follows a cutthroat style. He turns the heat up, expects no mistakes, or else there will be consequences, does not take any excuses, no matter how valid, and is only focused on getting things done for the company. To him, employees are and should be replaceable. The second kind of leader is considerate and nice. He accepts all mistakes, takes excuses despite validity, and is focused on making sure that employees are happy. He never puts an employee in uncomfortable situations and agrees to…

If you have ever had problems with being and building confidence in others, I am envious. Confidence is one of those things that you will need throughout life. Whether you are pitching a meeting or lying through your teeth. In addition, as you step into a leadership role, you must instill confidence in your team. There are two things to unpack here. First, as a new leader, your team may have little to no confidence in you. It’s alright, though. Why wouldn’t they be skeptical of someone who just earned their first team leader or managerial position? Second thing—servant leaders can sometimes be seen as ‘weak’ or ‘not authoritative enough’…

Years of employment have exposed me to a lot of things. I like to dwell on the good stuff, or at least I try to. But it’s hard to forget all the bad, too. In fact, more than 50% of people lose jobs because of bad bosses, not bad employment. Another 37% think about leaving because of managers. Basically, everyone has a story to tell about bad bosses and toxic employment. You probably have the same experience. But now, it’s different. You are on the fence, wondering if you are the problem or if it’s just them. It’s good that you are asking yourself this question. You can never go…