Posts by Robin Pou
What’s Within Your Control? (#195)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES Last weekend, Jalen Brunson scored 47 of 97 points for his NBA team in a playoff game. His performance (48% of the points his team scored) is impressive, but it’s another aspect of his game that is more compelling… “I cannot always control what goes on…
Read MoreWhat If? Or, What Is? (#194)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES When faced with challenges in life, my wife and I used to ask ourselves, “What if…” What if this happens? What if that doesn’t happen? After years, we realized something fundamental… “You’ll never get anywhere if you go about what-iffing like that.” ― Roald Dahl (British…
Read MoreThey Got Promoted Too Soon. (#193)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES A Chief Human Resources Officer said, “Robin, we’ve had a flood of personnel issues reported by the leaders about their teams.” What she shared next opened my eyes to a larger workplace epidemic. “If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall…
Read MoreWin Your Leadership Week. (#192)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES Early one morning during my routine run at the local track, I attempted to encourage an older gentleman who was walking. His response was not what I expected. “Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.” ― U.S. Navy Seals’ Motto This Week’s Edition Leaders report being exhausted…
Read MoreGood Leadership is a Threat. (#191)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES Josh, a CEO, shared that his team was upset about challenges with a project he had authorized. They bluntly reminded him of their initial objection before starting the project. His atypical response could be considered a threat. “I would rather get it right than be right.” ― Unknown…
Read MoreThe Ruthless Elimination of Friction. (#190)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES A few years ago, I read a powerful book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. The title alone was inspiring. It made me wonder, can a leader ruthlessly eliminate leadership friction? The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could…
Read MoreYou Better Check Your Attitude. (#189)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES While collaborating with a colleague on a client’s leadership program, a single statement resonated. I find myself reflecting on her wisdom about the impact a leader’s attitude has on the organization. “It’s those changes in latitudes, changes in attitudesNothing remains quite the sameWith all of our…
Read MoreKnow What You Want. (#188)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES I was asked to keynote a sales conference in Phoenix. I arrived early, but icy weather grounded my client’s entire corporate team in Dallas. My contact called in a panic and asked me a huge favor. “If you know what you want you have an…
Read MoreA Leader’s Thinking Sets the Tone for the Organization’s Success (#187)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES In a recent revelation, a CEO remarked, “Robin, I think we are in a recession. My goal is to survive ‘til ’25.” In this candid statement, he unwittingly unveiled deeper insights into his thinking. “You don’t have to outrun the bear. You just have to outrun…
Read MoreIs Your Leadership Not Working for You? Do the Opposite. (#186)
The Confident Leader BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES George Costanza, Jerry Seinfeld’s hard luck best friend, was finally fed up with his continual failure at everything in life. If his normal routine was not producing results, he resolved to do the opposite. The approach provides an interesting twist for leaders feeling a bit stale.…
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