You Do It, Too – Part Two – The People and Business Problems You Complain About - Clear and Open

You Do It, Too – Part Two – The People and Business Problems You Complain About

Last week, we discussed American politicians and their flaws. Oh… And we also talked about how you’re exactly like all of them—no exceptions. It’s just a matter of degree. Now, I’ll give you a real-world example to compare against your own business problems. I have a group of about ten mid-level managers I meet with…

Own It – Business Leadership, Over-Responsibility, and Under-Responsibility – Part Five

Own It – Business Leadership, Over-Responsibility, and Under-Responsibility – Part Five

If you haven’t noticed, the entire Own It series has been about taking a long look in the mirror and claiming ownership of your faults. Good, bad, or indifferent. Business leadership, personal relationships, and all. I know, it’s cliché, but here’s yet another: “There are two kinds of people in the world.” Over-responsible people and…

Own It – The Real Purpose of Business Systems – Part Four

Own It – The Real Purpose of Business Systems – Part Four

Up to this point in the Own It series, we’ve discussed the importance of responsibility and the employee-manager dynamic. Now we look at business systems and where they fit into this great big business machine. The fundamental misinterpretation of systemization is that “systems are the solution.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Systems are…

The Benevolent Dictator – A Lesson in Management - Clear and Open

The Benevolent Dictator – A Lesson in Management – Part One

Looking for a lesson in management? Here’s one takeaway to consider—a business is not a democracy. It is a dictatorship, though this is seldom appreciated. Dictatorships have a very bad reputation in our world’s history. As Lord Acton is so often quoted, “Power tends to corrupt. And absolute power corrupts absolutely.” But look at this…