Archives
This article was first published on BestCompaniesUSA’s website. If you haven’t read Gallup’s 2017 State of the American Workplace report, I encourage you to. Its findings are fascinating. Only 33 percent of the 100 million Americans working today are engaged. These people love their jobs and employers and proactively work to make their situation, and those around them, better. ... Read More
This article was first published on BestCompaniesUSA’s website. Helen Keller once said, “True happiness… is not attained through self gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” Purpose may be defined as the yearning to do what we do in the service of something larger than ourselves. This can take many forms, but is built ... Read More
In episode 11, Michael speaks to Professor Doug Olsen’s Executive MBA class at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. In his talk, Michael puts a different spin on five elements of the traditional marketing mix. The first element, branding, he reviews how to use behavioral profiles, what motivates you and a ... Read More
This article was first published on the BestCompaniesUSA Institute website. I’m amazed at how traditional learning institutions have evolved in the last decade. Universities are altering their knowledge delivery experiences to keep up with advances in technology, globalization and social norms. In the Phoenix area, the Thunderbird School of Global Management recently announced it is ... Read More
Episode 10 is short and powerful. Michael tells a quick personal story and discusses how society places distinct pressures on parents to drive their children to perform at high levels in school, sports, events and other areas of life to maintain a societal perception, appearance or image. Time and time again, he’s watched parents force ... Read More
In Episode 9, Driving Employee Engagement Through Unprecedented Change, of Michael’s podcast, learn about five actions you can take to deeply engage your team. This is a live recording of a presentation Michael gave in January 2018 to the Sacramento chapter of Financial Executives International. The show begins with a review of societal changes that ... Read More
Self acceptance is difficult when you’re told you have to be something you don’t actually desire to be. I support a number of influencers who are creating a wonderful new world for us to live in, but they’re continually told they should change who they are to fit society’s mold. I find this terribly disheartening. ... Read More
“The road to success is uphill, unless your father owns the business.” I think it was 1987. My dad had taped a notecard with this handwritten quote on the dashboard of his new pickup truck. I was too young and naive to understand the meaning(s) inherent to the quote, but it is still a vivid ... Read More
In episode 8 of Equal Chance To Be Unequal, Michael shares the 5 habits he tries to instill in each of his clients. He begins the podcast with a brief reflection asking you to consider the process you use to set and then quality check progress on your corporate goals. Michael then asks you to ... Read More
I don’t remember when I first read it, but I remember reading an article (this one) about a Chinese company named Shanghai Biochip Corporation (SBC). In 2009, they conducted DNA testing on roughly 30 children aged 3 to 12 to identify genetic gifts. By reviewing genetic code, SBC was able to extract information about IQ, ... Read More
This article was first published by the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants in the November AZ CPA magazine. This July, I traveled to Bend, OR to deliver a talk about aligning cross-generational communication. The audience, predominately Baby Boomer, thought younger generations struggled with managing their time, delegating tasks, professionalism when interacting with key stakeholders, and ... Read More
Our world is safer, healthier, and richer than ever before. This is a fact-based statement. If you’re an ardent supporter of and watch the corporate-controlled mainstream media, you’re likely to believe the world is in rough shape. Parts of it certainly are. I encourage you to visit Public Radio International’s website to read the article ... Read More
Listen to Michael discuss how to lead through change from organizational and personal standpoints. He starts the podcast asking you to reflect briefly on a change initiative and how you would rank yourself for your work in accomplishing the initiative’s goals. Learn about the potential costs associated with facilitating change unsuccessfully and why looking at ... Read More
In this episode of Equal Chance To Be Unequal, Michael talks about strategies you can utilize to engage millennials. You’ll learn about the importance of daily feedback, continual learning, and mentorship/reverse mentorship opportunities. He also discusses millennial statistics, such as there are 92 million in the US, their generation is the largest percentage of workforce, ... Read More
In this episode of Equal Chance To Be Unequal, Michael shares the process he utilizes when coaching executives to become the best and most unique versions of themselves. He shares how entrepreneurship, making mistakes, and the rising societal push for individuality are shaping the need for you to have a defined life purpose. Michael discusses ... Read More
In this episode of Equal Chance To Be Unequal, Michael discusses the four major tenants of emotional intelligence – self awareness, self management, social awareness and relationship management. Learn about the importance of continual learning to be more self aware, how practicing positive psychology helps you with self management, the value of a reflected best ... Read More
In this episode of Equal Chance To Be Unequal, Michael describes the 8 factors he uses when helping executives make difficult career choices. The 8 factors are a person’s communication profile, motivators, values, Intention Statement (personal mission), Ambition Statement (3 year goals), Value Proposition (personal brand), tangible and intangible advantages and disadvantages, and expected learning/growth ... Read More
Grades. Networking. Job. Money. Career. Time management. Failure. The future. Experience. Relationships. Family. Direction. Opportunity cost. Differentiation. Framing my value. These were a handful of the responses from 100+ Thunderbird School of Global Management students when I asked them what they were most nervous about as they entered, or returned to, their degree program. I ... Read More
Two Fridays ago, I was in Bend, OR delivering a talk to the Oregon Association of School Business Officials at their summer conference. I was asked to speak about aligning cross-generational communication. I am so thankful for OASBO as I’m not sure I could’ve met a kinder, more welcoming and wholeheartedly supportive group. Side note: ... Read More
Benjamin Disraeli once said, “The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.” In the late 1800s, Disraeli served as Prime Minister for the United Kingdom and is most well known for his role in helping to create the conservative party. I ... Read More
I admit it. I’m addicted. Addicted to checking things off a task list. I go to the gym four days each week. I can’t resist sugary treats. And, I seek comfort in my cat, Cleopatra… but don’t tell anyone else about how I can walk her on a leash. I think there are pictures and ... Read More
I have a good friend who’s been a successful business owner for nearly two decades. Recently, in the span of one week, her most valuable employee resigned, one of her children experienced a medical condition relapse and a major client decided to not renew their contract with her company. That week, everything that could go ... Read More
I recently coached a VP of Business Development through finding a new role that truly aligned with his life’s mission. Let’s call him David. Like many of us, David had seen his share of ups and downs. Pre-2008, he owned multiple homes, drove luxury vehicles and took international trips annually. He was part of the ... Read More
What percent of your day is spent living your life’s mission? Many executives I interact with seem to be distributing their time towards activities they think will make them money, make them appear powerful or give them a synthetic boost of confidence. Unfortunately, our society’s maniacal focus on this personality ethic produces poor outcomes for ... Read More
Have you ever thought about how most of our lives seem to be focused on waiting? When we’re pre-teens, we can’t wait to get braces for that perfect smile. When we’re high school, we can’t wait to begin college to live on our own. When we enter the workforce, we can’t wait for the right ... Read More
