Chris Mower» Leadership

Business IS Personal

Chris Mower — Thu, 27 May 2010 23:18:05 +0000

You’re probably familiar with the phrase, “It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there.” I’ve been hearing it for years, and I’ve used it a few times myself. It’s a true phrase. If you’re not careful, once you step foot into the big bad business world, you can get skewered, slathered in BBQ sauce, chewed up, and then spit out. These are reasons that people put up a guard and make business and the ensuing relationships as tough as boot leather.

If you have seen the movie, “You’ve Got Mail” you may recall the line by Joe Fox. In an email to Kathleen Kelly, he says, “It’s not personal, it’s business.” Later in the movie, Kathleen asks Joe, “What’s so wrong with being personal, anyway?” Joe, a little stunned, responds, “Uh, nothing.” Kathleen follows up with, “Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal.” (I’ll admit that even though I’m a guy and avidly follow and believe in The Art of Manliness, I still enjoy some of these classic ‘chick flicks.’)

I ask that same question today. What’s so wrong with being personal, anyway? Business is a giant web that connects people (not businesses) together; this means that business today is about building relationships and being personal, even in this dog-eat-dog world.

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Post tags: At Work, Leadership, Relationships

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How to Recognize if You’re a Bottleneck, and How to Change It.

Chris Mower — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:22:14 +0000

Among the many things that keep businesses and ideas from succeeded, one of the most obnoxious and frustrating ones are bottlenecks.

The bottleneck in your organization might be a person. It might be a process. It might be your equipment. It might even be a condition in which you work. I’ll be focusing on the aspect of people acting as bottlenecks.

Bottlenecks are good for regulating information—slowing it down. If it weren’t for bottlenecks on our drinks, we’d be forced to guzzle it at a pace we couldn’t handle. Or would we? Wait a second, that’s what cups are for.

It’s amazing that when given a cup, we have the ability to regulate how much liquid we consume at any given time. Every once in a while, the cup spilleth over and you get a juice stain on your nice white shirt, but it doesn’t happen often.

Bottlenecks seem like a good idea, after all nobody likes a juice stain on their shirt. They’re crossing every t and dotting every i. They’re making sure the next guy who receives the information is not going to be drinking from the fire hose. Often, they’re also intent on making sure the product is of top notch quality. It sounds good, doesn’t it? That’s why it’s so easy to become one without knowing.

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Post tags: How To, Leadership, Self Improvement

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Your Way is the Best Way

Chris Mower — Thu, 13 May 2010 18:28:40 +0000

I’ve seen it time and time again—an idea is born and then a short while later it dies. It’s unfortunate because some of the ideas I hear are nothing short of jaw dropping and life changing.

You probably know what I’m talking about. It’s hard to find someone who’s short of ideas. Most everybody has them. Very few people follow through with them.

Instead of listing all the reasons why ideas never see fruition, I want to focus on one specific reason.

There is no “right way.”

Even though other people have paved the way before and done what you’re hoping to do, it doesn’t mean their way is the right way. It doesn’t even mean that their way is the best way. What it means is that the path they chose worked for them and they found success because they didn’t give up.

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Post tags: Decisions, Determination, Leadership

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12 Simple Lessons in Leadership for Those Who Want to Make a Difference

Chris Mower — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:25:38 +0000

There are a lot of people I admire out there who have good values, strong morals and contribute to society. Within that group I have personally observed four individuals who stand out as leaders and movers. These are my observations of their leadership behaviors.

Remarkable leaders…

…are not ashamed of their opinions.

The most successful leaders I know are leaders because they have their opinions and values, and they stick to them. It’s these opinions and values that have caused people to follow them, even if their opinions are unpopular.

…are not too proud to change their opinions.

These same leaders have enough humility to recognize a clearer or better path and abandon ideas and efforts that aren’t working. They realize there’s no point in finishing something that doesn’t benefit anybody.

…attract a following without gimmicks.

Leaders create change and influence people, and they do it without smoke and mirrors. They reach out and help others, they inspire and teach, and they contribute to society and groups. They do this not for self glory and praise, but because they genuinely want others to succeed.

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Post tags: Leadership, Motivational, Relationships

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