Speaking of Leadership^® Blog

Reading Time: < 1 minuteDisruption comes in two basic flavors: new companies disrupting the old ones, and the established firms under siege who figure out a way to recapture their success. If you’d like some great examples of both, check out a series of videos created by State Street Global Advisors that “uncovers the

Reading Time: < 1 minuteHalf the population of the US has a LinkedIn profile.  That’s a pretty good data set for analyzing the workforce and gaining a “unique insight into the real-time dynamics of Americans starting new jobs, learning new skills and moving to new cities.”  LinkedIn offers a monthly report on workforce dynamics for the

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe fourth quarter starts on October 1 and many companies will begin their annual planning rituals for 2019 and beyond.   For many, the ritual assumes a future that looks pretty much like the past and produces a slightly larger version of what they already have.  This is comforting but bound to

Reading Time: < 1 minuteMost of us have participated in a planning session using SWOT analysis  (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats).  Often, participants offer suggestions that however well-intentioned, are just “top of mind” or limited to their own area of responsibility or expertise.  This is especially true for weaknesses and threats which often come from outside

Reading Time: < 1 minuteAutomation has impacted the manufacturing of every product, reducing the amount of labor required to produce everything. If you’d like an object lesson on the impact of automation, look no further than Mr. Rogers (that’s right, the late Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers neighborhood) and Wired Magazine. Over three decades ago, 

Reading Time: < 1 minuteMotivational speaker Jim Rohn famously remarked that  “you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” ( Or, alternatively, as James Michener wrote, “Bad companions bring bad luck”)  The question is: who should these five people be?  One answer, and maybe the best one,  is “mentors.” Clearly, having

Reading Time: < 1 minuteA 50/50 Proposition:   ITR Economics’ President Alan Beaulieu looks at the latest in the tariff tiff and analyzes the back and forth especially between the US and China.  He sorts out the winners and losers and explores whether it will be 50/50   He also sees some ominous signs from stock markets outside

Reading Time: < 1 minuteSpouses often complain that their partner brings the office home with them.   Good managers know that the reverse is also true.  This short but insightful article from HBR may help you understand the source of unexpected behavior when your co-workers behave unpredictably…… and why that behavior often has nothing to do with the

Reading Time: < 1 minuteMany CEOs have taken a great salesperson and turned them into a mediocre (or worse) sales manager. The folly of this is almost a proverb, yet many leaders keep hoping their superstar in the field will be able to share his or her “secret sauce” with their entire sales force.   Taking

Reading Time: < 1 minuteEveryone knows there’s a war for talent, but there are some aspects of it that may surprise you.  For example, despite the hot economy, many workers are finding their wages not keeping pace….unless they quit.  A recent Associated Press article indicates that workers who leave their jobs are enjoying raises that are