Blog - Page 2 of 5

09Aug 2020 by John Hackett, Ed. D No Comments

The Leadership Mindset For Building a New Better Normal

Leadership has always been an inside-outside journey. In other words, a leader must learn to lead themselves first before they can serve and lead others. The COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn that followed, in conjunction with the social unrest of the past several weeks taught us a lot about ourselves; good and evil. Leadership expert Simon Sinek, in a recent webinar with John Maxwell, described COVID-19 as the "great revealer." For instance, first and foremost the pandemic has revealed that we can do a lot of business at home. Secondly, poorly led organizations are failing and well lead organizations are thriving. The businesses that have been sacrificed reveal that leadership at many levels is lacking. Third, we can pull together to fight the pandemic and help each other. Last,…

02Aug 2020 by John Hackett, Ed. D No Comments

Leadership When It Matters Most

Uncategorized

This has been a tough and sad period for all of us in our country. These times of crisis expose leadership, whether it's good or bad. Crisis also expose the flaws in any society. We Can Do Better: For Everyone Peaceful protests incited by the horrific murder of George Floyd have taken to the streets of cities all across the U.S. These protests have sadly been followed by a small organized group of premeditated rioters looting, not only damaging property but instigating violence as well. The aforementioned events, along with the mandated shutdowns, have lead many to talk of feeling hopeless. " We can do better for everyone. Leadership is the key."John Maxwell, Leadership expert, Webinar dated Monday June 1, 2020. Supporting all factions of America during a time in…

25Jul 2020 by John Hackett, Ed. D No Comments

Courage: A Leadership Essential

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Leadership courage is determination to reframe fear and move towards accomplishing a goal or mission. This courage is a hallmark of excellent organizations, and keeps the organization disciplined, focused, and guided towards it's purpose. Times of crisis expose exemplary leadership courage. Noone displays better leadership courage in a time of crisis then military and first responders. To this end, veterans should be recognized, thanked, and celebrated more than one day a year. It's our veterans courage that allow us to enjoy the freedoms we all too often take for granted. We should also thank our first responders for their courageous sacrifice in the fight against an unseen deadly enemy, COVID-19. Leadership courage is indispensable as we begin to enter a new phase in the COVID 19 war. Development Dimensions International…

19Jul 2020 by John Hackett, Ed. D No Comments

3 Leadership Areas To Move Your Organization Forward

business building, COVID-19, John Hackett, leadership, Uncategorized, vision

The last two months have been extremely challenging, stressful, and for many, the drastic changes occurring in the world are downright tragic. The term unprecedented has become a common descriptor in regard to the ravages of COVID-19. Many organizations have suffered, while many others with innovative creative leadership, pivoted to maintain their organizations and serve their communities. The positive news is that many countries around the world including the United States are beginning to relax restrictions after long periods of mandated shutdowns. The next phase of reopening requires that leadership address a deceptively simple but tremendously challenging question: What is Next, and how can the organization move forward? A common misconception is that organizations can go back to their pre COVID-19 behavior, but the truth is, as most leaders as…

05May 2020 by John Hackett, Ed. D No Comments

The Ultimate Guide to Effective Virtual Meetings from the NFL Draft

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Five Things Leaders Can Learn and Apply The NFL Draft was scheduled to be a massive party in Las Vegas, April 24-26. It was supposed to be a time of hoopla, hugs, and boos as players are chosen to play “at the next level.” The COVID-19 pandemic changed all that. Many speculated the Draft would be canceled or postponed until late in spring. The NFL decided to go on virtually with everyone working and participating from home. This scenario may be very similar to yours in your new home office/kitchen /backroom. People working from home are balancing life, homeschooling, and endless zoom meetings every day. Michelle Davis and Jeff Green writing for Bloomberg magazine in an April 23rd article, Three Hours Longer, the Pandemic Workday Have Obliterated Work-Life Balance, makes…

29Apr 2020 by John Hackett, Ed. D No Comments

5 Misconceptions about Virtual Meetings to Address to Connect with your “Quarenteam”

COVID-19, John Hackett, leadership

Leadership doesn’t show up in crisis; it is exposed. A crisis is also an opportunity to enhance leadership skills to serve better those you serve and lead We certainly have seen a lot of change in the past four weeks of being shut-in. We now really understand communal living. We appreciate our kid's teacher a lot more. One of the interesting semantical changes that have occurred is that Zoom is no longer a noun; it is now also a verb. We also rarely see each other “in the flesh.” Table Group Founder, Patrick Lencioni, also coined a new word for your group. You are now a member of a “quarenteam.” We are in different challenging times. In all this change, there are two constants to guide leaders: (1) We will…

16Apr 2020 by John Hackett, Ed. D No Comments

Leading in the “New Normal” – Three Thoughts To Consider Moving Forward

COVID-19, John Hackett, leadership

What is "Normal"? We are indeed living in a time of unprecedented change and uncertainty with COVID -19. The office you used to drive to and the meeting room you would walk down a few offices to is now your home office. The 9-5 day is now marked by frequent pet visits and school work help requests. Lunch is at the kitchen table with the family. The people you have lead and customers you served face to face are now images on a screen. The infrequent conference call or Zoom meeting is the daily norm. Adapting to the Changes Leaders have to make many rapid adjustments with no playbook and never covered in your schoolwork or latest webinar. These adjustments or pivots are made with incomplete information and underlying anxiety…

09Apr 2020 by Mark Buckner No Comments

Getting The Word Out: How To Ask For Referrals

business building, marketing, networking, Prospecting

No matter which industry you are working in, one of the most important factors for long-term success is getting your name in front of as many potential clients as possible. Most often this is accomplished through marketing and advertising, but an often underappreciated method is the humble referral. According to the Wharton School of Business, a referred customer costs less to acquire and has a higher potential for brand loyalty, with a 16% higher lifetime value than a non-referred customer. Yet while most would agree that referrals are a strong and cost-effective method for generating new business, it can also feel awkward since asking someone to refer you can easily come off as pushy or even desperate if it isn’t handled correctly. With this in mind, consider these helpful tips…

10Dec 2018 by Mark Buckner No Comments

Mission & Vision: What’s the Difference?

business building, mark buckner, mission, vision

Previously, we discussed the importance of vision and mission statements in creating a business plan. Both are important to the success of a growing business, so it’s important to understand the difference between these two similar concepts, and why both are vital to the health and development of a business. Mission and vision statements are both related to an organization’s purpose and aspirations, typically summed in short written statements. But while many people use the terms interchangeably, mission and vision statements have different objectives. A vision statement explains why a company exists and what purpose it serves. A mission statement explains how the company does what it does. As such, a mission statement usually features a brief explanation of the organization’s daily operations and immediate objectives. In contrast, a vision…

03Dec 2018 by Mark Buckner No Comments

Planning the Path to Success: The Keys of an Effective Mission Statement

business building, mark buckner, mission

According to the Small Business Association (SBA), roughly 50% of new businesses fail within the first five years of operation. One of the major reasons for this is that many entrepreneurs suffer from a lack of clarity when it comes to the purpose their business will serve. A solid and realistic business plan is the cornerstone of a successful business, and the tell-tale sign of an effective business plan is a clear and memorable mission statement. What is a Mission Statement? A mission statement is a short phrase that defines the purpose of a company, expressing its immediate goals and objectives. It is generally brief, memorable, and indicates the specific values of your business. Businesses often fail because the owner doesn’t really know what they want to accomplish outside of…