OUR Leadership BLOG

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!

Dr. Paul Metler | 4/6/2017

People watch what you do. They watch with the sound off.
Seth Godin

How do you describe leadership? What are the first words that come to mind?

Dr. Paul Metler | 4/6/2017

Would you intentionally hire a new employee that is not trustworthy?
 
Of course not. That’s an easy question to answer.
 
Here’s a better question.
 
When you hire a new employee, do you have a straightforward conversation about the behaviors that create healthy trust? If not, why not?

Dr. Tim Brown | 4/3/2017

Recently, I was able to check off another item on my bucket list. My wonderful wife, Jen, purchased a ticket for me to attend an NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet 16 game to watch my beloved West Virginia Mountaineers. Although the outcome was not what I had hoped for, I had an incredible experience. As I watched, I was reminded of the importance of a game plan.

Abbey Strachota | 3/28/2017

Most of us will never know what it feels like to win a national championship or a Super Bowl, however – we’ve all been on a team either athletically, professionally, or simply within our family. Our Final Four may have been running a half marathon, giving a big presentation, landing a huge client (and then delivering on that huge client!), starting a family – the list goes on and on.

Dr. Paul Metler | 3/23/2017

As millions tune in for tip off, March Madness is in full bloom. These are teams that have practiced together, travelled together, played together and now they will focus their collective energy on the opportunities before them. The NCAA basketball championships are in full view. Surely there are lessons to be learned about great teamwork. As you watch the madness, open your eyes and ears and take note of these sixteen qualities that help teams elevate their performance. How evident are these qualities in your team? Choose one for discussion in your team meetings.

Brandon Buck | 3/22/2017

March Madness is such an amazing time of year. Watching upsets, buzzer beaters, and celebrations sparks our own excitement and emotions. After the recent Duke upset, Coach Krzyzewski wisely said, “At the end of the season I want my guys to either be crying because we’ve lost or crying because we’ve just won”. The heartache and joy is so powerful to see as teams and individuals reflect on all they have done to make it to this point. What I find truly inspiring, are the teams that make it to the Sweet 16. These teams tune out the noise around them, play their style of basketball and make consistent game time decisions. In other words, they do not try to become someone they are not. They’ve worked hard all season and are bringing their best to each game.

Dr. Paul Metler | 3/20/2017

Leaders do not exist in isolation. Your leadership doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Neither does your organization.
 
You lead with others.
 
You connect with your clients and customers.
 
You engage, communicate and serve with others.

Dr. Tim Brown | 3/16/2017

Leaders can often confuse doing based leadership versus being based leadership. What we are doing is not necessarily what we are being. The InitiativeOne process forces a leader to peer within and ask the difficult questions that are a catalyst for emotional maturity and self-awareness. Self-aware and emotionally mature leaders are much more likely to make a positive impact on an organization.  And, being based leaders maintain a distinction between what they do and who they are.