If you have ever been in the situation where you are on the expressway and the road takes a rather defined sharper turn (mileage signs indicating to slow down) and you attempt to stay at the previous speed, you now must take corrective actions or potentially pay the price of an accident or worse.  I know I have been there more than once and…

Taking the right amount of speed into the next level of successRead More »

Focus

In a world where we are bombarded moment by moment by any number of potential distractions, we owe it to ourselves to build the muscle of focus. That skill to narrow in on what is happening around us and find the key or critical elements to focus on that most contribute to our best result.

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In a conversation with a colleague the other day we started to reminisce about how the work world was such a different place than when we started several years ago. At that time in the 70’s and 80’s the competition was outrageously fierce for each and every role we were seeking out.  The criterion almost seemed unfair to even be able to…

Are you building up or tearing downRead More »

Starts with you

Our society has many opportunities to redirect an undesirable outcome to someone else rather quickly, even before the facts and truth are looked at completely. This movement of accountability to someone else for undesirable performance is just another way to get the attention off us and onto another so individually we can hide. Authentic accountability starts with each of us. Standing up and taking full responsibility for each and all of our actions even when they have contributed to a less than desirable outcome.

Starts with youRead More »

Getting the Facts

Our Guidepost of last week triggered some thoughts about this area of getting facts and using data as opposed to guessing or using just gut level instincts.  The use of gut level instincts cannot be diminished in the workplace.  It absolutely has its contribution level when sorting through many of the challenges that face business leaders. The key here is…

Getting the FactsRead More »

Return on Investment

In the business world when we hear return on investment or ROI we tend to think strictly in the form of money or finances. The reality is that we invest into our lives not only with financial resources. We invest with our emotions, intellect, and spiritually. Each of these also needs a return on investment to satisfy our human existence. Give yourself the privilege to capture a return on your emotions, intellect and spiritual needs in your work and play.

Return on InvestmentRead More »

When Leadership Fails

As a business leader you can’t go throughout a day without some piece of communication coming at you either in an email, a flyer, a conversation, or any number of other input sources about leadership. The latest techniques, latest insights, latest gurus etc. all have something to say about leadership.  The fact that you are reading this weekly Promise Guidepost just ticked the leadership discussion point in your mind. There is such an…

When Leadership FailsRead More »

Fear

The phrase “Nothing to fear but fear itself” dates back to 1930 but is still true today. When fear sets into a person any external stimulus can evoke a level of uncertainty or even panic. Our world is hyper stimulated and causes many to be fearful of what is the next thing to change or disrupt our desired calm environment. Fear can also be a constructive stimulus to cause one to finally move from a state of pause to a state of action. Don’t let fear rule your world but use it to build a better one.

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Over the past couple of weeks, the Promise Guide Insight posts have emphasized a few components of JKL Associates Promise Culture model.  We investigated the people and relationships; we upped the importance of having a great compass of Core Purpose and Core Values. These items all exist as the center of a culture which not only creates a quality work environment but weaves a strong fabric with the people and outcomes for the business.

Energize your Business with Passion and VisionRead More »

Summer and S’mores

If you have had the pleasure of making your own S’more at the campfire, then you are fully aware of the joy of the smells and tastes this culinary treat offers. Sandwiched between graham crackers are the sweets of chocolate and marshmallow. This summer is also a great time to make business S’mores by sandwiching fun times between work activities. The benefit to your culture will see better engagement when the team is given the privilege to play a little between making your clients/customers happy.

Summer and S’moresRead More »