OUR Leadership BLOG

Nick Metler | 7/13/2017

“The ability to learn faster than your competitors may be the only sustainable competitive advantage.”

(Arie de Geus)

Nick Metler | 7/10/2017

"If you need help bark like a dog.” –Gendry “That’s stupid. If I need help I’ll shout help.” –Arya (George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings) Asking for help. Do you find it difficult? A simple request for help can be one of the hardest questions for you to get out of your mouth. I know that it is for me. I love this quote because sometimes our needs are disguised. You may feel like it’s safer to sound like a dog barking, but really, you are longing for some help or guidance on what is going on at work or in your life.

Nick Metler | 5/30/2017

Leading well takes an extraordinary amount of trust. Trusting yourself and those around you is at the core of building healthy relationships when leading an effective team to success. In trusting yourself, you must be willing to change: change the way you think and change the way you lead.

Dr. Paul Metler | 5/24/2017

Agreement. It’s a popular word when it comes to teamwork.
 
It’s not automatic.
 
Are we pulling in the same direction?
Do we collaborate, build consensus?
Do we trust each other?
Are our relationships healthy?

Nick Metler | 5/17/2017

It is what gives us the strength to step over the ledge, to take a leap into the unknown despite the possibility that we may fall flat on our faces. Thomas Foster writes about our battle with this saying, “As thrilled as we are by the prospect of flying, we are also frightened at the prospect of falling.” Does our fear of falling outweigh our yearning to be able to spread our wings and fly?

Brandon Buck | 5/15/2017

As leaders, we are constantly faced with tough decisions. Some of these decisions are life altering, (like moving, marriage, kids, new job, investing, selling, layoffs, etc.), while others are simple, (what should I eat, clothes to wear, etc.). However, the main point within all these decisions is the purpose behind the decision. Were your actions based on unguided ambitions or on a focused vision and sound values? In an era, where financial growth and social perception determine a company or individual’s success, many leaders are tempted and encouraged to violate their values. This violation of ethics, can and will destroy trust, create a feeling of guilt, and possibly lead to legal ramifications.

Dr. Paul Metler | 5/3/2017

Faith is a core tenet of leadership.
 
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
 
If I expect you to follow me, then I am asking you to have faith that I will lead you to a place that is safe, that is good, perhaps even much better than where you are. I’m asking for faith in what is not yet seen. I’m expecting you to take a risk.

Brandon Buck | 5/1/2017

As parents, people, leaders, etc. we are constantly striving to live a purposeful life. We aim to have a vision, create a plan and then get into action; however, how many of us have a vision and a plan for our daily interactions with our children? As parents, we are given the greatest gift that anyone can receive and with that, we have been entrusted with the greatest responsibility of shaping their souls. For many of us, we recognize this responsibility but are so busy with our own daily grind that we simply wing it. We go through each day without an end in mind, no plan with which to make decisions or a productive way to build our children’s character. Instead, we run ourselves ragged and parenting ends up becoming a nuisance instead of a great adventure.

Abbey Strachota | 4/27/2017

The NFL Draft is an exciting time of year for everyone. Fans are following the draft to see who’s coming in to “their team”, or what kind of tricks does their secretive GM have up his sleeve this year? There are others scouting for their fantasy football roster. Schools and communities also rally around local players who are hoping to get a call. It’s a great week for sports.

Brandon Buck | 4/10/2017

In an ever changing, connected and competitive world we seek trust more than ever. We want to trust our politicians, our boss, our spouse, and our kids; we want people to trust us. Now, to obtain trust or to be trustworthy, we, as leaders, have to take responsibility and make sure we are walking the talk!