Yesterday we explored Ichak Adizes‘ idea around the importance of Mutual Trust and Respect.  When lacking, all available organizational energy is spent dealing with internal issues. Nothing remains to focus on the market and the competition.  

Can we create mutual trust and respect by talking about it?

No.

Ichak tells us we must experience it. The good news is he outlines a sequential four-step process to create and foster mutual … continue reading

The brilliant management thinker Ichak Adizes tells us: “Energy is fixed and predictably allocated.”

Energy flows internally first.  

Whatever remains is available to pursue external goals. The more energy we have to deal with market and the competition, the more successful we will be.  

When there is strife and dysfunction inside our organization, all available energy is spent here. No energy remains to deal with the outside world.  

Successful organizations don’t squander the … continue reading

We want people to trust us. Stephen Covey tells us trustworthiness is a factor of character and competence. There is a sure-fire way to increase our competence.

It’s called Committed Action.

Committed action is a framework I learned about while taking the Stagen Integral Leadership Program, a fantastic year-long leadership development program I can’t recommend highly enough.

It starts with awareness. Being a better leader starts here. We become more effective and build our … continue reading

“Trust is the one thing that changes everything,” writes Stephen M. R. Covey in his terrific book The Speed of Trust.

Our theme this year at Publishing Concepts is around building trust. This week we are holding our all-company Quarterly Business Meeting and we will be once again reviewing the key drivers of trust.

We learn best, Jim Kwik tells us in his book Limitless, with (1) active recall, … continue reading

In his book The Way of Aikido, George Leonard shares the story of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  

George tells us early in FDR’s life he was characterized as bright but somewhat superficial and a bit of a snob. Then, when he was 29, he was struck by a terrible attack of polio that deprived him of his legs.  

That’s a hit.

But, was it also a gift?   The polio gave FDR, … continue reading

Before we enter the training mat, we briefly center ourselves. Our feet are firmly connected to the ground.  We are aware of the power that emanates from the physical center of our body.  

This week we are looking at the some of the lessons from The Way of Aikido by George Leonard.

We start walking onto the mat. George writes: how we walk will have a lot to do with how … continue reading

When confronted by an attacker, the aikidoist doesn’t strike, push back, or dodge.  

This week we are exploring some of the ideas from George Leonard’s terrific book, The Way of the Aikido.

When attacked, the aikidoist “enters and blends.”  George tells us: “He or she moves toward the incoming energy and then, at the last instant, slightly off the line of attack, turning so as to look momentarily … continue reading

Is being powerful about having power over others?

Hold that thought, writes George Leonard’s in The Way of Aikido.  He defines power as our ability to realize our potential.  Or, as the founder of aikido O Sensei said, “to fulfill our bestowed mission on this planet.”

And, the key to being powerful is not what we might think.

Imagine preparing to go into an adversarial situation.  If we feel … continue reading

Samurai Chant: “Expect nothing.  Be ready for anything.”

This week we are going to explore some of the ideas in The Way of Aikido by George Leonard.  The subtitle of the book is “Life Lessons from an American Sensei.” 

Early on in his aikido training, one of his teachers tells George: “What you do with aikido off the mat is really more important than what you do with it … continue reading