Leadership is a People Business
If you have been following my writing for a while or just joined in, you probably know that I care deeply about leadership.
To be honest, I started writing about leadership because I was tired of hearing stories about bad bosses. I was tired of seeing studies showing that 70% of employees were unengaged & uninterested at work.
There is a leadership problem in business today that needs to be addressed.
I’ve written dozens of blog posts dealing with everything from micromanagers to customer complaints. Take a look and let me know what you think. I’m always interested in hearing your feedback.
Why do so many employees lack initiative and show little interest in their employer? When employees first start working at a job, they are typically
Who is Pete Havel? Pete is a former political operative who has become an authority on workplace cultures and office politics. He is a keynote
Bob wasn’t happy. The product we designed specifically for him didn’t fit. After months of work creating a special component, we failed. The unit wouldn’t
Several years back, I had a comment on one of my articles that I will never forget. The reader said, “Being an employee of several different
One leader can make a difference in any situation and any organization. You might have seen the news this week that Ernest Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, was discovered
Great Leaders Run Towards the Fire This past week, the events in Eastern Europe reminded the world of what courageous leadership looks like. The U.S.
Create a positive work environment where people genuinely want to do their best every day. Former NFL Coach Jimmy Johnson probably said it best, “The
I get this question a lot, “What leadership advice would you give to new managers?” Honestly, being a new manager is exciting. Whether you’re a
It’s the time of the year where we begin executing our New Year Resolutions. Planning to make a change in the new year makes sense
2021 is nearly complete, and, in a way, I’m glad. Despite many successes, this year has been difficult for me. As a small business owner,
At just 13 games, Urban Meyer had one of the shortest tenures of an NFL head coach, and even that was too long. The Jacksonville
What kind of boss fires 900 employees on Zoom right before Christmas? When you think you’ve seen the worst in corporate leadership behavior, a story
Do you have a best friend at work? It might just be the secret to happiness and success. My son joined the Navy last year,
It’s officially Christmas season and full confession – at one business I led, I used to dress up as Buddy the Elf (yellow tights and
Close to 4.5 million new businesses were started in the United States in 2020, making it the highest year on record. New business start-ups jumped
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “hope is not a strategy.” While I generally agree with that statement, I would argue that hope is essential for
On October 2, the U.S. nuclear attack submarine USS Connecticut hit an unknown underwater object while operating submerged in the South China Sea. 11 sailors were injured
On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden delivered a powerful message of unity in his inaugural address. Today, on this January day, my whole soul
When leaders fail to lead, the results are often devastating. On July 12, 2020, an arsonist set a fire aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme
The best leadership lessons are often learned when we put ourselves in the role of a follower. This past week, I went on my annual
Have you seen the video of former Navy SEAL David Goggins working out with endurance athlete Cameron Hanes? In the video, Goggins is bench-pressing after
When I started my corporate career, I worked for a global company led by the hard-charging CEO, Percy Barnevik. He believed in pushing decision-making to
The American public witnessed two colossal leadership failures in the past month – a botched withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan and an uncontrolled migration of
Legendary comedian Norm MacDonald passed away at the age of 61-years-old this week. The former Saturday Night Live star was known for his deadpan delivery
There have been more than 15,000 books written on the subject of leadership but, when you boil it down, leadership is about inspiring people to
What if I told you that you could find all the answers to the problems facing your business inside the four walls of your organization?
You’ve probably seen this yourself – a leader with a control problem. Many bosses would rather die than let go of the control they have
Have you ever considered the question of whether leadership can be taught? There has always been a lot of debate about whether leaders are born
What does it mean to be vulnerable as a leader? At 32 years old, my company promoted me to plant manager even though I had
I was nervous but trying not to show it. Once the previous watch officer left, it suddenly hit me. I was in charge of an
One of the biggest things I noticed in the business world after spending years working on a submarine was the physical separation of employee groups.
Last week the 2020-21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and coaches were awarded their Super Bowl LV rings. Shortly after that, Tom Brady took to social
As a leadership speaker and author, I get this type of question a lot. I work in a company with poor management. Employees are frustrated
Can you remember a time when you felt like you really belonged? For me, it was the day I became a submariner. During the pinning
Something happened at my company three weeks ago that confirmed we are moving in the right direction. And it has nothing to do with our
Have you ever been in a situation where you knew you were in trouble? It happened to me on my first day at Nuclear Power
Did you know the most senior sailor on a nuclear submarine will back up the most junior sailor in an emergency? It certainly was a
Have you ever sat through an annual performance review and had that awkward feeling? Like your boss was not giving you true feedback? Like they
Did you know that squirrels don’t hibernate in the winter? That’s why they work so hard in the fall. Food is scarce in the colder
A recent guest on the Deep Leadership podcast, Steven Mays, got me thinking. He said that one of the most important actions a leader must take
In the past three weeks, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend. I have been contacted by a number of people who have been let go by
You’ve probably noticed the same thing as me. There is success all around us and, as a society, we love to celebrate success. Think about
Just West of Cambridge, England on an immaculate slope of deep green grass surrounded by sprawling woodlands lies a powerful reminder of the tragedy of
I was a guest on a recent podcast and the host asked me an interesting question: What’s my definition of success? I actually had to
I’m going to guess you’re a good boss. How do I know this? You’re reading this post. And, more than likely, you’ve read my book, you
I’m not a runner, but I ran six half-marathons once. Growing up in New England, it was always a dream to one day run the
I have given several webinars over the past few weeks on leading during a crisis and one of the topics I like to discuss is
As we enter our 5th week in quarantine, I’m reminded of the famous motivational posters produced by the British government in 1939 in preparation for
I was talking to a friend the other day and we were reminiscing about a business we worked at that went through a really rough
When I was just 23 years old, fresh out of submarine school, I was given my first leadership job. I was assigned to lead the
You’ve probably heard the expression, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” It could also be put another way, “Don’t just stand there, do
You’ve probably heard this leadership quote before: “If you could get all the people in an organization rowing in the same direction, you could dominate
You probably know I was a Naval Officer early in my career. Well, did you know the Navy has a zero-tolerance policy for running a ship
The lady in seat 2B had my attention. I was flying home from Minnesota on a business trip when she struck up a conversation immediately
I have a pet peeve. I can’t stand seeing managers who stay isolated. It bothers me when I hear about bosses who stay locked up
Let me share a short story about a boss who had my back. I had spent thousands of dollars of the company’s money. It was
Let’s talk about employee engagement. According to Gallup, only 34% of U.S. workers are engaged and enthusiastic about their jobs and companies. And, it’s a
You probably know who Jocko Willink is. If you don’t, you might be living under a rock. He’s a highly decorated retired Navy SEAL who
Everyone’s path to leadership is different. My leadership journey started in the military. I entered “management” at just 23 years old when I became the
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’m a “plant rat.” I love manufacturing and everything about it. It’s real. You can touch
Have you embarked on a New Year’s Resolution in 2020? You’re not alone. 45% of Americans are likely to make a resolution this year and
As you are coming out of your Christmas food-induced coma, I thought I would share an important concept that will help you as you prepare
A reader once posted this comment on my website: “Being an employee of several different companies, I can honestly say that I’ve felt like nothing
I have to admit, I hate Black Friday sales and you probably do too. If you read this blog, you’re a leader. You don’t follow
In the movie Criminal, Kevin Costner plays a convict whom the CIA chooses for an experimental procedure. With the help of a top neuroscientist and researcher,
I had a chance to sit down with author and business leader, Pete Havel, to talk about toxic work environments and his new book, The
I’ll be frank. I’m concerned about the state of leadership in corporate America. Every day I hear a new “bad boss” story. One person told
A Powerful Visual On Monday night, two AFC East football rivals played under the lights. The New England Patriots had traveled to take on the
In my last post, I was asked how to grab the leadership bull by the horns when you suddenly find yourself thrust into a new
A while back I was asked this timely question: Q: Jon, help! I’ve just started a new leadership role and really want to make a
Let me tell you a story. I came up through the Navy (and made seven deployments during the Cold War). Then, I led businesses for
Leadership is simple. It’s about influencing a group of people to accomplish a goal. The problem is most managers forget about the people, the goal,
There is nothing a submariner fears more than a fire. A fire on a submarine is one of the most dangerous things that could ever
There are three questions you should ask before taking any leadership Job. A Leadership Crisis There is a crisis in America. There is a shortage
Today I appeared on the Whistle and a Clipboard Podcast to talk about my latest book, I Have the Watch. During this podcast, I talk about
Today I appeared on the Leadership Update Brief to talk about my latest book, I Have the Watch. During this podcast, I talk about the origins
Today I appeared on The Coach Bru Podcast to talk about my latest book, I Have the Watch. During this podcast, I talk about
“Losing your head in a crisis is a good way to become the crisis.” C.J. Redwine Dealing with Bad News It wasn’t what I wanted
It Starts with the Mission Great leaders are mission-minded. They are also great communicators. They understand the importance of clear, concise, and continuous communications with
My first commanding officer in the Navy was a hard ass and it was one of the best learning experiences of my career. Trial by
I had a chance to sit down with Air Force veteran and author, Mitchell Boling, to talk about his new book, Leadership: A View from
I wrote a book and it wasn’t anything like what I expected. Igniting a Flame In December 2018, I was listening to a book on
Leading employees who are older and more experienced can be a challenge but not if you master the art of engaging employees. A Young Factory
Great leaders know the best way to beat their competition is not just to be better, but to be different. They understand that weird often
Great leaders know a team of qualified employees is hard to beat. They establish a culture of competency where new employees feel positive peer pressure
Great leaders know that success is the result of extra efforts by amazing employees. These leaders look for opportunities to show their appreciation. Looking for
Reading and research are great but they can also keep you from achieving your goals. Sometimes the best way to learn how to do something
Too many companies rely on short-term fixes to address long-term, complex problems. The result is a series of failed attempts at resolving fundamental, underlying business
Too many companies rely on short-term fixes to address long-term, complex problems. The result is a series of failed attempts at resolving fundamental, underlying business
“Bad bosses are small-minded. Great leaders are mission-minded.” The best leaders are great communicators. They understand the importance of clear, concise, and continuous communications with
Strong leaders support their employees and create a high performing culture. Those that don’t create an organization based on fear. I had spent thousands of dollars
While most people identify micromanagement as the worst leadership style, there is another type of boss who is equally destructive to an organization, the absent leader.Read more The Absent Leader
“The managers of this company just don’t care.” That was the feedback I received from one of the production workers and I was trying to
“I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams” – Bing Crosby I never liked eggnog. As a young man, I hadn’t really developed
In five years, I went from being an associate design engineer in a cubicle to a general manager with a corner office leading a $50
I once had a boss I secretly nicknamed “TQ” which stood for “Twenty Questions.” The reason he earned that name is that every time we
Leaders need to be readers. I recommend reading leadership and business books regularly to sharpen your skills and make you aware of important, new concepts.
It’s one thing to have a quality problem but the way you address it can make all the difference in the world. You may have
“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.” —Sandy Dahl, wife of
Bob wasn’t happy. The product we designed specifically for him didn’t fit. After months of work creating a special component, we failed. The unit wouldn’t
Do you want to be a better leader? Sign up for my free newsletter. I was a 32-year-old engineering manager with virtually no manufacturing experience, but
Leaders need to be readers. I recommend reading leadership and business books regularly to sharpen your skills and make you aware of important, new concepts.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a brand new leader, every time you take on a new leadership role, you are the rookie. You are
The other day, I reached 1,000 workouts tracked on my GymHero app. That’s more than three years consistently going to the gym. I say this
She was only 22 and an introvert but she spent years selling her product door-to-door trying to get her tiny company off the ground. Most
Our pastor told a great story last week. He shared his experience having meetings with people and their cell phones. He said the placement of
Leaders need to be readers. I recommend reading leadership and business books regularly to sharpen your skills and make you aware of important, new concepts.
It’s never easy telling people bad news. As a leader, I have had more than my share of experience telling employees things they didn’t want
Everybody wants to be the boss. They want to be in charge. They want the corner office, the assistant, the parking spot, the title, the
Like most leaders, I’m very busy. My role as the CEO of a start-up manufacturing company requires a great deal of time and effort. I’m
I had a lot of things on my mind. Our start-up company was growing fast but I felt there was more we could be doing.
When we started our company, we didn’t have an office. It was still under construction. Our landlord gave us a dozen old desks that we
As the machinery division officer on a nuclear submarine during the cold war, I had the challenging task of checking the boat for “rattles” before
Last week, I went out to the factory floor to see how we were doing building a critical order for a new customer. From a
I recently had an experience staying in a $68 a night hotel that was remarkable. I was helping my son move and I just need
For several weeks, orders were unusually low. Our growth seemed to be stalled. I was getting nervous. I was starting to think our business had
Just West of Cambridge, England on an immaculate slope of deep green grass surrounded by sprawling woodlands lies a powerful reminder of the tragedy of
“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.” Michael Porter When I was a kid in the 1970s there was only one place
What if you could know what your employees were thinking? What if you could see the company through their eyes? How would your leadership efforts
The biggest problem with resolutions is that a vast majority of people never achieve them. Statistics show that 20% of Americans will drop out after
Do you want to be a better leader? Sign up for my free newsletter. Winter in Northern Ohio is tough and the people who live through
“Please place your seat back and tray table in their full upright and locked position and check to ensure your seat belt is securely fastened.”
Why do some people succeed while others give up? What is it that allows certain individuals to endure the toughest challenges without wavering? Is it
This Veteran’s Day, don’t thank a veteran, hire a veteran. It will be the best thing you ever did for your company. “If you are
Bill Marriott, former CEO of Marriott International, learned business and leadership by observing his father, J. Willard Marriott. The elder Marriott was one of the
You got the new job. You accepted the promotion. You’re in charge now. Whether you’re a first-time leader or an experienced manager in a new role, the
“Don’t get too comfortable. Ever.” Navy Seal Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. We’ve all probably read this quote or seen something
“Being an employee of several different companies, I can honestly say that I’ve felt like nothing more than a line item on a spreadsheet somewhere
Whether you’re a first-time leader or an experienced manager in a new role, the first 100 days are critical. People are watching you closely which
If you follow this blog, you know I am a huge Donald Miller fan. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I Learned to
Forget all the phony internet garbage about how glorious the life of an entrepreneur is. Ignore the Instagram pictures of Ferraris and private jets with
Do you want to be a better leader? Sign up for my free newsletter. The best leaders put customers first, right? Not if you are
Americans are terrible at sticking to goals. Just go to any gym in January and look at the crowded parking lot. The same gym will
Do you want to be a better leader? Sign up for my free newsletter. I’ve always been on time and I think it started with my
Many people put off the dream of starting their own business because they are afraid to fail. The truth is, about half of all new
I had all the wisdom of a 23-year-old and all the experience of a junior officer who spent the past year in Naval training
One frustrating thing I see in leaders from time to time is a negative attitude towards people. Many choose a career in leadership who don’t
The world changed on September 11, 2001. And as a leader, I changed too. I was seven years out of the Navy and leading
While fake news is often hard to spot, phony advertising, inauthentic companies, and fake people aren’t. I was listening to my favorite podcast the
When Pope Francis tells you to stop whining, you know there is power in the message. Since becoming the new pope, Francis has been a
“Officers and crew of the United States Gerald R. Ford, man our ship and bring her to life!” commanded Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President
How do you get a large, multinational company to move fast? You do what Percy Barnevik did at ABB in the late 80’s and early
I have written many times that leadership is a people business. It’s about motivating and challenging people to accomplish big things. If you don’t like
At one time in history, the Marine Corps had six active-duty four-star generals. On April 19, 2013, they gathered at the home of the Commandant
“It is well to be up before daybreak, for such habits contribute to health, wealth, and wisdom.” Aristotle As I wrote about in The Secrets of
I’m not a runner, but I ran six half-marathons once. Growing up in New England, it was always a dream to one day run the
I remember the feeling I had stepping off the USS Tennessee for the last time. It was 1994, I was 26 years old, and I
“Keep on advancing… whether we go over, under, or through the enemy,” General Patton told his troops, and they did. Under his leadership, the 3rd Army
Celebrating success and honoring achievement is an important aspect of leadership but, if you want to be successful over the long run, you can’t spend
In 2002, in the early days of Bluetooth, I toured the Bosch white goods factory in Germany. They presented to us their concept of the
I love being an entrepreneur. I love being my own boss. The freedom to operate my business the way I want to is everything I
Fair warning, this is not my typical article. It’s not about leadership, business, careers, culture, entrepreneurship, or the military. But it’s related. This post
“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.
For most of my life, I couldn’t stand morning people. They seemed so annoyingly happy. They got up early, they planned their day, they
As a leader and entrepreneur, there is nothing I hate more than to see a leader who can’t make a decision. In my career, I
My Dad is awesome. As a retired high voltage electrician, he loves the fact that I run a business producing medium and high voltage products.
My first CEO was hardcore. And it was awesome. In 1994, I left the U.S. Navy to work for the global engineering company, ABB, as a
Jimmy Buffett’s hit song, The Weather Is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful, starts off with his band members demanding things from him. “Where’s my per
Do you want to be a better leader? Sign up for my free newsletter. Simon Sinek is an author, speaker, and marketing consultant. He has written
People with good intentions make terrible employees. Don’t get me wrong, good intentions are fine but I prefer working with people who get things done.
The world was shocked to see a viral video of a paying customer being dragged from a United Airlines flight. It was unthinkable to believe
107 years ago today, Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech called “Citizenship In A Republic” at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France. In that speech, he included a
Hiring is tough. Finding the right person who will make a great employee is one of the hardest jobs we do as leaders. We are
So, you’ve finally made it to middle management. You’ve arrived at that magical place where you are responsible and accountable for the performance of a
This is one of my favorite leadership quotes. The idea that a team would be so intrinsically motivated to complete a goal they forget
Do you want to be a better leader? Sign up for my free newsletter. My first job out of college was my dream job. I served
There is a crisis in America. There is a shortage of good leaders and it seems to be getting worse. The problem, as Susan
Everybody wants to be the boss. They want to be in charge. They want the corner office, the assistant, the parking spot, the title, the
Have you ever noticed that there are some teams who just know how to win? Companies that outpace their rivals, sports teams that dominate their
I’ve received many compliments over the years in my work life, but the one I have the hardest time accepting is when someone says I’m
In 30 years of work, I wish I could say I have never had a bad boss. The truth is, I have had a few terrible
I love being the CEO of a small company. It’s the best job I’ve ever had. One of the biggest reason is the speed at
The company I recently co-founded, Peak Demand Inc., celebrated its first-anniversary last week. As you can imagine, the first year of any new company is especially
Customers don’t expect you to be perfect. They do expect you to fix things when they go wrong. ~ Donald Porter If you’re looking for
“As a leader you set the tone for your entire team.” ~ Colin Powell You did it. You got the big promotion. You now have the
“If I go there will be trouble, An’ if I stay it will be double” ~ The Clash The new year is a time
This is the time of the year where we think about gifts. We gather with family and friends and exchange gifts that we hope will
“Rebellions are Built on Hope” ~ Jyn Erso, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Yes, I am a Star Wars fan. In fact, I’m old
Here’s a quick story to remind you how powerful your presence as a leader is. Several years ago, I took over a new business.
Great article by Randy Conley. It seems like common sense but too often these simple leadership traits are overlooked.
Randy Conley is right on target in this article on Leading with Trust. He asks a simple question to leaders, “are you easy to follow?”
Today, one of my colleagues gave me the ultimate compliment. In front of my boss and several other senior leaders, he told me something very meaningful.
I had a great opportunity to teach a session on leadership to a group of students finishing up their MBA program at a major
When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. ~ African proverb If you’ve spent any time in the corporate world, you
Courage is Being Scared to Death, but Saddling Up Anyway ~John Wayne I’m a trained firefighter. Actually, I’m a U.S. Navy veteran who served on
“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” ~Louisa May Alcott I was talking to a friend the other day
Have you ever had one of those bosses who was never around? They worked in an office with the door closed, they never came
So you’ve finally made it to middle management. You’ve arrived at that magical place where you are responsible and accountable for the performance of
What type of individual makes a great leader? The answer to that question is likely to cause a debate in any social circle. The
If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll wind up somewhere else. – Yogi Berra It’s a new year and a fresh start for you
“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” ― William G.T. Shedd Near the end of the Cold War, I
I met with the CEO of one of my large customers last year and he said something I will never forget. When describing his
Brainstorming is one of the most effective methods of engaging employees in generating new ideas and solving tough problems. If done right, it is
Great article by Steve Keating. If you strip away your title, position, and authority, are you still a leader?
This is the time of the year where we think about gifts. Whether it’s Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Small Business Saturday, we are thinking
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing” ~ Aristotle I had my first real harsh blog post critic last week and it was great!
Jimmy Johnson probably said it best, “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” This is especially true in leadership. Getting the business
“If I was on death row their BBQ plate would be my final meal.” ~ John Dillanger, B’s Barbecue review on Google + Located in
If you are looking for boots-on-the-ground, look no further than your local Starbucks. Last week, Starbucks announced plans to hire more than 10,000 veterans in the