Mike’s Blog

I usually will not talk about politics in my blog. However, I am going to make an exception as we have a federal election happening in Canada. Keeping track of the details of the election is a complicated thing. The number of parties, issues, trash-talking, debates,...

Do the people you lead know the value in the activities they do each day? When people know why an activity is valuable, they are more likely to do the right thing. They are also more likely to know when they are doing something that does not make sense. A team leader...

Leaders will often ask for what they want. Leaders ask for things like better productivity, less waste, following a process, and more. Do you wonder why your team struggles to achieve the things you want? When a leader asks for what they want, it's possible people...

I once asked an executive team to write down their greatest fear. The team sat, looking at me in awkward silence. Finally, one of the leaders broke the silence by saying, "I don't have any fears." You are not leading if you do not experience any fear. You...

There are many times my doubts have held me back in life. Then, when I choose to push past my doubts, I learn the very thing I've wanted was mine for the taking the whole time. We, humans, do an incredible job of self-sabotaging our wants and desires. The people you...

The best team structure, in my opinion, is depicted by a circle. In the circle, everyone has both a specialization and the potential to lead others. Imagine how powerful the team's leadership might be when you are not the only one leading. To create the conditions for...

We live in a world where someone's potential is often defined by their skills and knowledge. While skills and knowledge are essential, it is the choices you make that define your leadership. I once coached a leadership team where the company had a culture of blame in...

I rarely have a detailed plan when I am leading. I know where I want to end up. I have an idea of the steps I might use to get there. Yet, I have no details on what it is going to take to get there. I believe when leading: I can put a lot of effort into planning, and...

I once worked with a leader who seemed to be imitating Steve Jobs. His efforts to imitate showed up in how he dressed, his explosive temper and even how he demanded respect. The difference is that this leader was doing more damage than good. I read about leadership...

How many times have you heard the expression, "but, that's the way it has always been around here?" This simple statement is the battle cry of the status quo. Leaders do not accept what we have is the best it can be. Leaders know what they care about. They are willing...

In my days as a project manager, I would often tell people how I never failed. This statement was true, given what I was trying to be; a manager. Unfortunately, though, I was failing at being a leader. Leaders are continually trying to take themselves and others to...

Vulnerability enables leadership. I have seen dramatic shifts in groups after a moment of vulnerability. Even a little bit of vulnerability goes a long way. The best way I know to ease the discomfort of confronting fear is to talk about it. When I am vulnerable and...