Upsize Your Leadership

05/31/2024

56 years ago tonight, I watched a lovely young lady walk down a church aisle to join me and a bridal party eager to receive her. With that radiant smile of hers, she slipped alongside me. And minutes later, arm in arm, the two of us retraced that aisle, embarking on a life together filled with blessings beyond number.

Three children and ten grandchildren later, neither of us is young any more. But she remains absolutely lovely, still greeting me every morning with that radiant smile. And her commitment to her family, to our marriage, and to her faith are constant, unwavering, and inspiring. I marvel daily at what an ideal life companion she has been.

Thanks, hon! You've brought irreplaceable joy to my life, to our family, and to countless friends who have drawn strength from your graciousness.

My only regret is not having 56 more years to spend with you. Your "I do" all those many years ago remains the most cherished thing that anyone has ever said to me.

04/06/2024

I just posted a podcast that sure to bring you some good laughs. With all the buzz about this month's solar eclipse, I decided to share two humorous stories from the total eclipse which I witnessed in Russia in 2009. In the wake of the April 8 eclipse, you'll no doubt hear lots of people sharing stories about what happened around them during the event. But none of their stories can top the two that I share in this podcast. Nor can they be any funnier.

https://traffic.megaphone.fm/CSN9324115881.mp3?updated=1712420881

03/08/2024

I've posted the second episode in my multipart podcast series on unreported aspects of the Ukrainian conflict which hinder an enduring peace settlement.

Based on my years of experience in both Russia and Ukraine, I examine the cultural "psyche" which prevails on both sides.

In this latest installment I show how the Russian invasion has unleashed a patriotic fervor in Ukraine that its people have never known before.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2407-ukraine-backstories-part2.htm

03/01/2024

As the conflict in Ukraine enters its third year, I've decided to address misconceptions about that war which I hear quite often -- even from commentators who are generally well-informed.

I'm beginning a series of podcast episodes which draw on my years of experience managing offices and staffs in both Russia and Ukraine. My duties had me working shoulder to shoulder with everyone from coal miners to cabinet members. What I quickly learned is that the relationship between Russia and Ukraine is highly complex, with layers of reality which few Americans are aware of
My purpose with these podcasts is not to argue for one side or the other in the political debate about further aid to Ukraine. Rather, my hope is to give listeners a more informed understanding on which to base their own conclusions.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2406-ukraine-backstories-part1.htm

02/21/2024

You can sum up the leader's role in three statements.
1. Rally people around a cause or agenda.
2. Motivate them to pursue it.
3. Mobilize them to achieve it.

I sometimes reduce this to this simple leadership mandate: Rally, Motivate, Mobilize!

My most recent podcast explores all three elements of this mandate and examines why leaders who are good motivators are not necessarily good at mobilization.

https://upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2405-rally-motivate-mobilize.htm

02/08/2024

People generally recognize that there is a difference between managing and leading. But when pressed to define the precise difference, they do not always have a ready answer. Their concept of leadership is a bit muddled.

In my latest podcast, I trace the historical process that led to frequent confusion of management with leadership. And I offer three questions which quickly delineate whether someone is genuinely a leader or someone who merely wears that title. https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2404-muddled-concepts-of-leadership.htm.

01/25/2024

You might not typically think of leaders as artists. But in fact, leadership is much more of an art than a science or a technology. And its similarity to art leads to striking ramifications for how we practice leadership. My latest podcast takes up some of these important practical implications.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2403-leadership-as-art.htm

01/12/2024

Leadership is such a complex topic that it has dozens of definitions on the internet. For me, leadership is the art of rallying people around a shared purpose, then motivating them and mobilizing them to achieve it.

In my latest podcast, I delve into two concepts which serve as anchor points in my definition: people and shared purpose. By staying grounded to these anchor points, you become a better leader. Learn how by checking out my latest episode at https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2402-leadership-anchor-points.htm to learn more about how these concepts can help you become a better leader.

01/05/2024

In every arena of human endeavor, unintended consequences can nullify or limit the benefits of otherwise great decisions. Fortunately, there are planning guidelines that can minimize the number of times that our leadership and management decisions trigger adverse unintended outcomes.

Check out this insightful podcast, where I share three planning guidelines to help avoid unintended consequences. Listen now to learn how you can make better decisions and lead your team to success.
https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2401-avoid-unintended-consequences.htm

01/02/2024

OVER 100 EPISODES AND COUNTING!! December marked a milestone for my podcast "Upsize Your Leadership." I posted episode number 100 just before Christmas. Of the millions of podcasts now online, did you know that fewer than 1% ever post more than 20 episodes? I'm therefore quite happy to celebrate hitting the 100 mark. The first episode of 2024 airs later this week. https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com

A podcast to enlarge your impact as a leader, wherever you lead, whatever your role.

12/14/2023

When you're on a tight schedule (and who isn't these days?), disruptions can be frustrating and even aggravating. My latest podcast builds on some sage advice I received years ago for dealing with disruptions without letting them be so upsetting.
https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2328-coping-with-disruption.htm.

11/30/2023

Few things are more vital to corporate success than having a concise, compelling vision statement. Here's my podcast analysis of recurring mistakes which I've seen in companies large and small in designing and implementing a statement of vision.
https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2327-mistakes-casting-vision.htm.

11/20/2023

Why do we have so many half-finished projects in our life that have gone untouched for months? Why do we have such a poor record of fulfilling New Year's resolutions?

Primarily because we failed to keep them in focus. I take up that theme in my latest episode of Upsize Your Leadership, with some strategies for remaining focused.

While the podcast itself is targeted at leaders, this particular episode is relevant to everyone's life.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2326-power-of-focus.htm

11/13/2023

When we start planning an endeavor with lots of moving parts, both instinct and training condition us to pursue a set pattern. First we define the outcome, then we start at the present and begin defining thei ndividual steps and goals to get to the outcome which we've identified.

My latest podcast, however, argues for a different approach. It's one that I've found fruitful for decades. In this approach, we do not sequence the elements of our plan from the starting point to the outcome, but in the reverse direction. I refer to it as "planning backward." It's a process with notable benefits.

Check out the episode "The Payoff of Planning Backwards."
https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2325-planning-backwards.htm.

10/31/2023

When men and women move into top management positions, one thing which surprises many of them is how often they feel lonely. I've been there myself and understand the feeling well. In my most recent podcast, I take on this aspect of leadership which is rarely addressed in leadership development programs.
https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2324-lonely-side-of-leadership.htm

10/17/2023

Without question, collaborative decision-making is an exceptional tool for creating engagement, improving morale, and solidifying motivation within an organization. At the same time, when collaboration is not managed well, it easily leads to dysfunction and ineffectiveness.

The latest podcast on Upsize Your Leadership identifies eight of these dangers and highlights what leaders and managers should do to forestall them.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2323-collaborative-decision-making.htm.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2323-collaborative-decision-making.htm.

10/02/2023

Four out of five companies identify innovation as one of their core values. But few have a structured strategy for creating an innovative corporate culture.

In a recent podcast (https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2322-traits-of-innovative-cultures.htm), I addressed this issue by sketching eight characteristics of innovative corporate cultures. The podcast serves as a checklist of where leaders must focus their attention if they want their organization to be have a genuine innovative spirit.

09/08/2023

The vast majority of companies identify innovation as a core value. But on closer examination, what they describe as innovation is merely a superb example of ingenuity.

What's the difference between the two? My latest podcast takes up that question and identifies five criteria which a novel idea must meet before it truly deserves the name "innovation."
https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/321-pursuing-true-innovation.htm

08/21/2023

There's a prevalent distortion in human thinking. Most people consider themselves as having more integrity than others. But it's altogether impossible for the vast majority of people to have more integrity than most people in society. So why this disconnect.

It's largely because we determine the integrity of others by watching their behavior. We determine our own integrity by judging our intentions. No wonder we come off so well by comparison.

I take on this delusion in my latest podcast. Join me for a probing look at what integrity really means.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2320-deep-dive-into-leadership.htm

08/09/2023

Dozens of personal traits enhance the power of a leader's effectiveness. But there's one consideration that's so vital that without it, you can't lead at all. It's credibility.

My podcast this week delves into this absolute essential and explores the role it plays in interpersonal, professional, and organizational success.

Check it out at https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2319-without-this-you-cannot-lead.htm.

07/27/2023

Behind everything that we do is a complex of values, beliefs, and principles. I refer to this construct as the VBP molecule. And how it shapes our lives and therefore our success is the theme of my latest podcast.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2317-vbp-molecules.htm

07/20/2023

My latest podcast shares the two most life-shaping pieces of advice that I ever received from a mentor. Their advice is worthwhile for anyone, whatever your walk of life.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership/episodes/2316-two-mentors.htm.

07/14/2023

In this week's podcast I take up perhaps the most neglected aspect of change management. Namely, every major change involves tradeoffs. And tradeoffs often require us to give up something which we treasure or enjoy. That loss brings sadness, and in some cases even a degree of grief. Yet managers rarely take the motivational implications of this reality into consideration when planning large-scale change within their organization. Check out my thoughts on the subject at https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2315-sad-truth-about-change.htm

07/07/2023

Given the celebration of July 4 this week, I used the occasion for a podcast on why freedom is always susceptible to being pushed aside by authoritarianism, not from external enemies, but from natural human tendencies from within. I hope you'll find some thought-provoking ideas in this episode.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2314-allure-of-authoritarianism.htm

06/29/2023

Without question, managers who delegate well multiply their impact and effectiveness. All too often, however, delegation is done poorly -- often because we do not put enough thought into preparing for the delegating conversation.

My podcast this week offers an eight-point guide for evaluating the considerations which should go into preparing to delegate.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2313-delegation-done-right.htm

06/22/2023

Every leadership role comes with the expectation that the person in that role will be a problem-solver. When we're serious about being a leader, we want to produce imaginative solutions. My latest podcast shows you a technique for achieving that outcome, whether you're making decisions by yourself or in a group setting.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2312-imaginative-problem-solving.htm

06/14/2023

When you're facing a tough problem or a challenging situation, you want to attack it as creatively as possible, right? In my podcast today ("Solve Problems Like a Creative Genius"), I step you through the process that Walt Disney used to draw out creative solutions from himself and his team. It's a simple technique and easy to implement, whether for personal or group problem-solving.
https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2311-creative-problem-solving.htm.

06/07/2023

When you see the word "V-formation," what comes to mind? Probably a flight of geese. I give that word a new twist in today's podcast, which highlights a series of essentials for building high-performance organizations. And these words all happen to begin with "V." Oh, and there's a hilarious goose story along the way.
https://www.UpsizeYourLeadership.com/episodes/2310-fly-in-v-formation.htm

05/26/2023

This morning I posted the 80th episode of my podcast UpsizeYourLeadership. It is also the fifth and final program in a five-part series on accountability.

In this wrap-up episode I offer a three-pronged strategy for instilling a deeper sense of accountability within your organization -- especially with workers who came to adulthood without a mature sense of being accountable.

My tips on motivation in this program will be helpful to any leader, even those in organizations with no serious accountability issues.

https://www.upsizeyourleadership.com/episodes/2308-rebuilding-accountability.htm