Category Archives: Leadership

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The 10 Most Common Objections to Hiring a Virtual Assistant

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I have been using a virtual executive assistant now for over a year. It’s one of the best business decisions I have ever made. Tricia, my assistant, has enabled me to focus on what I do best and less of what I either don’t do well or don’t enjoy.

A Woman at Work on a Computer - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/TommL, Image #19699722

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/TommL

As a virtual executive assistant, she is really no different than what I was accustomed to in the real world. She can do anything that doesn’t require her physical presence (like running errands or bringing me coffee).

For example:

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How to Manage a Micromanager

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About five years into my career, I found myself working for a micromanager. He drove me crazy. He wanted to know everything I did and when I did it.

He required me to furnish daily status reports. I had to document every call, every conversation, and every action I took on every project. It was oppressive.

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How to Get Noticed by Your Boss

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This is a guest post by Jeremy Kingsley. He is the president of OneLife Leadership. He has written four books. His newest one, Inspired People Produce Results, will be published by McGraw-Hill in March 2013. You can follow him on Twitter.

Have you ever wondered what it would take to get noticed by the “big boss?” To get promoted? To get a raise? What do I need to consistently do to achieve professional advancement?

Two Business Executives Shaking Hands - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/kupicoo, Image #18859584

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/kupicoo

We often overanalyze and forget to stick to fundamental principles that have worked for years. Let’s keep the answer easy and simple by concentrating on “The Three C’s of Professional Growth: Competency, Commitment, and Courtesy.”

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Register Now for Catalyst Atlanta and Save 28%

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If you have read my blog for more than a few months, you know I love the Catalyst Conferences. I have spoken at the last nine in a row. I’ll be speaking again at the Atlanta conference, which will be held on October 3–5, 2012.

The Atlanta conference is Catalyst’s biggest one. More than 13,000 next generation leaders will attend. It always sells out. (If you have ever been, you know why.) If you haven’t registered, you can do so between now and Friday, August 23rd and get 28% off the regular ticket price. This makes the ticket price less than the Early Bird or even the Super Early Bird pricing. (I’ll tell you how at the end of this post.)

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Why You Should Welcome Problems

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Several years ago, I was having a really rough day at the office. It seemed everything that could go wrong was going wrong—at the worst possible time.

A Carton of Spilled Milk - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/kickstand, Image #157024

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/kickstand

One of my biggest authors was threatening to leave. I had a major position I couldn’t seem to fill, despite numerous interviews. And, several of our customers were upset over what I had thought was a minor policy change.

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How Leaders Are Using Games to Drive Behavioral Change

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This is a guest post by Travis Dommert. He is president of irunūrun, the greatness app. By combining social elements and gamification features, irunūrun helps people achieve their potential in work and life through focus, consistency, and accountability. Travis also writes on the irunūrun blog.

What does leadership have to do with playing a game? If your leadership style still reflects the industrial revolution, perhaps very little.

Some Friends Enjoying a Video Game - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/ranplett, Image #20557818

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/ranplett

Fifty years ago, leadership was often about command and control. Business leaders were like generals, directing their troops into battle. “Don’t ask why, just follow orders—or we’ll replace you with someone who will!” Loyalty, respect, and fear created compliance.

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Take Your Business to the Next Level with Dave Ramsey

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Dave Ramsey and I have been personal friends for more than fifteen years. I was his publisher at Thomas Nelson for almost a decade. I love his message and the impact it has had on my family and millions of people around the world.

I was especially excited when Dave invited me to speak at his upcoming EntreLeadership Master Series in Orlando on October 14–20, 2012. This is something I have wanted to attend since participating in his one-day EntreLeadership event in Houston a few years ago.

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7 Steps to Finding a Better, Third Option

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This is a guest post by Jeremy Statton. He is an orthopedic surgeon and a writer. You can download a free copy of his eBook Grace Is. Connect with him on Twitter or his blog, Living Better Stories.

We are a culture that is accustomed to thinking in terms of two options:

  • Republicans versus Democrats
  • Cowboys versus Indians
  • Mac versus PC.
  • Yin versus Yang.
  • Yankees versus Red Sox.

Reaching the Third Floor - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/tc397, Image #8556139

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/tc397

When we view a problem, or the solution to a problem, we typically divide it into two different categories.

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Are You Investing Your Best Resources in the Wrong People?

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It is easy to see other people making this mistake. It is more difficult to catch yourself doing it. I’ve been guilty plenty of times.

Two Trees: One Alive and One Dead - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/weka, Image #2311331

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/weka

For example, a few years ago, while I was still CEO of Thomas Nelson, I met with an important author. In the course of the meeting, I learned he was unhappy with the cover design we had done for his previous book.

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Why Frequent Trips Outside Your Comfort Zone Are So Important

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Earlier this year, Gail and I attended Tony Robbins’ Life & Wealth Mastery event in Fiji. On the very first morning, with less than an hour of instruction, we were asked to climb a thirty-foot pole and then stand on top of it.

A Man Standing on Top of a Pole - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/SLOFotomedia, Image #2939030

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/SLOFotomedia

This was no surprise, of course. I had known for several months this was going to happen. But it was still frightening to consider.

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4 Truths Every Pioneer Should Know

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This is a guest post by Mary DeMuth. She is an author and speaker. You can read Mary’s blog or visit her on Twitter. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

Pioneering is hard. It is especially hard for those around them. It is even hard for the pioneers themselves.

Backpacker on Mountain Summit - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/cglade, Image #10473146

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/cglade

Through God’s strength, I’ve pioneered a lot of things in my life. I parented my kids in an entirely different way than I was raised (and am still plowing that ground). I broke up the fallow ground of publishing, starting from nothing. And my family and I planted a church in one of the most unchurched places on the planet: France. So I get pioneering.