Leadership
BLOG | FAMILY DYNAMICS / GOVERNANCE
Business Issues: Identify and solve, or they could cost you.
Part of the challenge in a family business, or any business for that matter, is that the world does not stop and allow you to pursue your strategy in a nice, orderly fashion. Whether it is internal or external, business issues pop up throughout the day. So how do you prevent issues from derailing the company’s progress? Here are a few ideas for minimizing their occurrence and how to deal with them effectively when they do happen.
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BLOG | LEADERSHIP
Leadership Is Not What You Think
When I first started Compass Point 20 years ago, leadership was an ancillary topic. My work focused on the systems, financials, hiring the right people, and being a confidant to the owner. At the time I didn’t see it as leadership coaching, but rather as building a relationship with a client who trusted me enough to let me see the inner workings of their mind and business. I helped the person as I helped the business. Times – and leadership – have changed.
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BLOG | OWNER FINANCIAL GAP
It’s The Simple Math That Doesn’t Get Done
Family business owners are passionate about what they do. They’re working to carry on a business that family built – by their parents, grandparents, sometimes even great-grandparents and beyond. These owners are so busy providing for their employees, communities, and the next generation that they often ignore their own financial future. Boiling it down to its true essence, business is a means to building wealth. And what are we supposed to do with that wealth?
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BLOG | LEADERSHIP
Which leader are YOU?
One of the hallmarks of good leadership is to have a mindset of being a lifelong learner. When we continue to learn and apply, we become better leaders, ones who inspire our people to bring the best and who develop and hone the team’s skills to predict and delegate. That's where the lift comes in the business. That's where you take a business from good to GREAT. Great leadership multiplies and amplifies others.
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BLOG | LEADERSHIP
Unequivocal Responsibility OR Something Less
Unequivocal responsibility-taking does not come naturally. True, we have an innate sense of when we’ve harmed others – the conscience inevitably pricks at us. However, we all also have an ingrained tendency to seek escape from consequences and accountability. We know what we should do, what we need to do, and yet we flee from it.
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BLOG | UNCATEGORIZED
My ONE word to sum up 2021…
In the last twelve months, I have seen it all in the faces of my clients, my colleagues, and my team. I have felt it with my family, within myself, and my thoughts. While each group faced its unique challenges, there was a common need woven throughout it all for everyone this year. And that is my one word to sum up 2021 – belongingness.
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BLOG | LEADERSHIP
Attention Please. Now Boarding All High Performer
Two years ago, I boarded a plane for California. I remember it being BEFORE DAWN…which is so NOT my time of day…
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BLOG | LEADERSHIP
Multiply What Matters Most – the Genius Around You
How can you ensure you’re creating and leaving a positive leadership legacy for yourself and your team? Everyone has bad days, sure. But you need to have the good days outnumber the bad ones. How? Become a Multiplier leader. Multipliers get 200% more capability from their employees than Accidental Diminishers do.
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BLOG | SYSTEMS
Business Systems: The Key to Scaling
Have you mapped out your core business systems? Can you ensure everyone on your team understands exactly what is needed and how to complete the required steps of your processes? Are you able to transfer that knowledge to new hires and train them? How will you fill the gap if a key employee leaves?
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BLOG | FAMILY DYNAMICS / GOVERNANCE
What’s love (power & money) got to do with family business? EVERYTHING.
When I began my career in family business consulting nearly 20 years ago, I met Dean Fowler, one of the early thought leaders in the field of family business and author of several books, most notably Love, Power and Money. As it turns out, these 3 words line up perfectly with the famed 3-circle model developed by Davis and Tagiuri of the Harvard Business School in 1978, depicting the family business system - the intersecting circles of family, business, and ownership...
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BLOG | LEADERSHIP
Who Should Bale the Hay?
Baling hay. It’s important & urgent work on a farm. It’s also a great business metaphor related to THE NUMBER ONE barrier to growth...
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BLOG | NEXT CHAPTER
Maximizing Value to Always Be For Sale
When I started Compass Point nearly 20 years ago, I heard a quote from business owner (and my now mentor) Tom Stine, “The only reason to get into business is to get out.” I remember thinking at the time, “That’s a bit cold. Sounds like consultant talk.” But 20 years later, I can honestly say that truer words have never been spoken.
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