Leaders Edge Blog

Last week I wrote about a client that “fired” their board of directors, and what they learned along the way and how they went about rebuilding a much stronger board. I included the graph showing a very astute “maturation process” for nonprofit boards. Much credit to the Arts and Business Council of Chicago for the original design of this. I’ve modified it a bit over the last year to fit my own client’s situation.

In a recent interview, Bill Gates mentioned one of his favorite books Factfulness by Hans Rosling’s. He talked

“We just fired our board… Well, actually we asked 14 of our 15 board members to resign.” That’s what a new client of mine told me on the first day of our new agreement. A significant funder of theirs told them that if they were serious about continuing to receive major funding from them, and if they were going to seek more significant funding from larger foundations in their region that they had to have a Board of Directors that was serious about taking them to the next level.

My new

I encourage you to take a close look at the faces of those killed in Parkland Florida, and particularly the chart below.  Since I’ve started writing this just a few days ago I had to add 11 more shooting victims. All children, except for just a few – while they were at school, no less. IS THIS OKAY?!?! It appears to me that this is “okay” with the most powerful legislative change agents (I use the term loosely) in the world.

(More down below…)

Killings/Shootings at Schools in USA – Last 10 Years

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I recently attended a business event at Northwestern’s Pritzker School of Law, co-hosted by AGA (Accelerated Growth Advisors). The meeting was based on the “Make No Little Plans” quote accredited to Daniel Burnham. Burnham was the lead architect for the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, was a master urban planner, and designed over 500 buildings, many of which are considered to be architectural wonders still today.

The panel discussion featured numerous innovative and influential Chicago business leaders from organizations like RXBAR, Madison Dearborn Partners, Farmer’s Fridge, Driehaus Private Equity, and Northwestern’s

Recently David Brooks published an article in the New York Times, “The End of the Two-Party System.”

Brooks articulated what I’ve been trying to get my hands around for the last couple of months. For decades the United States has operated with an abundance mindset. In other words, we can accomplish things on a global scale that are good for America and good for the rest of the world.

As an American I’ve always believed and still do that we can all gain, and maybe even all win. It’s not a zero-sum

Earlier this week I had meetings with two 30-something millennials. Both extremely bright, compassionate, hard-working, and willing to speak strongly and respectfully as they expressed their positions. One had quite a conservative outlook on life, the other quite liberal.

In both meetings we had significant agreements and disagreements on important issues. The conversation was spirited and respectful, and when we ended we were better friends and genuinely understanding of the other’s opinion. Being able to disagree without being disagreeable is a rare thing nowadays.

Here are some broad stroke generalities about society,

This blog marks the one-year anniversary of my Leaders Edge blog. I began by telling the story of how I had just attended the funeral of Danny, my good friend Steve’s 26 year-old son.  Yesterday, on the anniversary of Danny’s death, I called Steve and we talked for a good length of time. While the contents are between Steve and me, here are a few important take-aways from that conversation.

Relationships Matter. As Steve and I discussed the roller coaster of emotions from the last year, I really can’t think of

In my last blog I encouraged you to answer five questions regarding “what matters most” to you. I suggested that you “take a few minutes” to write down your intentions, and then I “guaranteed you” that it would set a better course for 2018. Kind of bold, huh!

Well, I can guarantee you this because of: 1) the success stories of my friends/colleagues who regularly write out detailed plans and goals; 2) myriad research studies affirming this point, and; 3) I know it to be true from personal experience.

The picture above

Welcome to 2018!

The new year has arrived with a blast. As I walked my dog yesterday morning and today at 6:00 a.m. the thermometer greeted me with -12 both days! So, our new year arrived literally with a blast of dangerously cold air. And yet…the dog needed to be walked. Things needed to get done. The new year is off and running.

This is the time of year when many, and I hope you, are taking a bit of time to reflect on “what matters most.” Take a few minutes and

Recently I’ve been reflecting about several situations with which leaders are confronted. I realize that because of my personality, ego and experiences that I sometimes jump to conclusions too quickly. So today I’m offering four leadership scenarios for you to ponder. You can decide what would work best for you:

Situation #A – When people on your team disagree with you:

Do all you can to discredit them, squash their opinion or just fire them
Encourage diverse thinking and lead by appreciating controversy, deeply listen for understanding as to why others don’t share