December 13, 2013

I’m confused. Is that ambiguity you’re hiding behind?

Eschew obfuscation. I learned those words long ago. It’s an ironic phrase which means to avoid creating confusion or bewilderment. Even more plainly, it means to speak plainly. You’d think that’s something every leader would practice. Isn’t it taught ...

November 15, 2013

The one question to inspire and lead others

Whether you think of yourself as a leader or not, every day you have an opportunity to do so. In fact, many. Today you’ll likely encounter dozens of people. Some you will have casual interactions with—the server at the ...

October 30, 2013

Seven leadership traits that inspire me to follow

What are the traits of a leader you’d be inspired to follow? I decided to answer that question for myself as a self-check for the traits I want to cultivate in my own life. In no particular order, ...

October 16, 2013

How to keep your confident leadership from going bad

Questions to keep your confident leadership from going bad

One of the reasons we follow great leaders is the strength of their convictions. John Sculley followed Steve Jobs, leaving PepsiCo to join Apple in 1983, after Steve famously asked him, “Do you want to change the world or ...

September 20, 2013

The conversation you’re not having

Recently I read a quote from the former turnaround CEO of a huge British conglomerate: “The only thing I really do is lead conversations.” That stopped me. The CEO in the line of fire to resuscitate a multibillion dollar ...

August 28, 2013

Six principles of leadership from Rudy Giuliani

Six principles of leadership from Rudy Guiliani

Rudy Giuliani became a house-hold name on September 11, 2001 when, as mayor of New York City, he deftly led that city and inspired millions around the world. I had the opportunity to listen to the former mayor and ...

August 16, 2013

Think bigger and plant a tree

Year’s ago I asked an executive in a rather large business about his firm’s business strategy. Sheepishly, he looked at me and said, “It’s hard to plant trees when your forest is on fire.” Then he went on to ...

August 9, 2013

How I broke the cardinal rule for giving feedback

Earlier this year, my son, Ryan, launched his dream of having his own film production company. He’s off to a great start, winning marquee clients who rave about his work. I’m not surprised. He’s worked hard to develop his ...

July 17, 2013

I know what you did. And I like it!

Inspired by the Olympic games, I wrote a post last year about the Olympians in our midst (read post)—those people who demonstrate excellence by the consistent choices they make; especially when circumstances would make it so much easier to choose ...

October 1, 2012

Be a Creator’s Advocate

No doubt this has happened to you. You have a great idea—or at least, you think so—and you rush to tell someone about it. Their blank expression doesn’t match your enthusiasm one bit. And their first words, “But what ...

Leary Gates | Venture coach

Turn your vision into venture. Ideas into action.

Category Archives: Leadership