Over the years, I have had the opportunity to assume a leadership role in a variety of settings, including family, church, private industry, and public service. Different situations may call for different types of leadership. If you understand the nuances of the particular circumstance, you can choose the leadership style that will work to your maximum advantage. The best place to learn the dos and don’ts of leadership is by looking at the great leaders of the past. Great leaders have demonstrated specific qualities of leadership that we can emulate to lead successfully. Whatever you may think about their politics...

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There has been some buzz in the change management world about a system for change created by psychologist Kurt Lewin.  He identified three phases for change back in the early 20th century.  We still use these today. His model uses the unfreeze, change and refreeze methods.  These methods help make organizational change go more smoothly.  We all know that everyone hates change and that the only thing constant in a company is change. The unfreeze phase is when the need for change is recognized.  Change agents begin to trumpet the need for the change and begin to gain buy-in from the group.  Everyone...

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I am so impressed with the innovators of this world.  People have taken the frown of a down economy and turned it upside down with some fantastic ideas.  Their ideas are saving bundles of money and helping small time or new writers hang with the big boys.  One such idea is a blog tour. As an author, I have learned that starting out is tough.  When no one knows who you are, you don't sell books.  On top of that, I can tell everyone how great of a writer I am, but why should they believe me?  In fact if I...

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When you're starting a new venture or even a new website you have to create a brand.  This is how your customers will know you and why they'll come to you over your competition.  Most people look at branding as if it's a game of bowling, but it's really more like a round of darts. What do I mean by a game of bowling?  We start our new business by trying to reach as many customers as we can and trying to please everyone.  It is like we are trying to knock down all of the pins.  The problem with...

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Before we even start, let me be clear about this one thing: the earthquake in Haiti and the resulting devastation was a terrible, terrible thing. We Americans, individually and collectively, should do what we can to help the people of Haiti recover from this disaster. I am not in the Rush Limbaugh, "Let 'em take care of themselves" camp. Having said that, this is a business blog, not a humanitarian aid blog or a general current events blog. So, it is appropriate that we take a look at the long term impact that this disaster may have on business, divorced from...

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