After a 2.5 year X hiatus I was encourager by several friends to come back online. I want to share a recent op-ed piece I wrote on A TIME FOR GREATER GOOD. If you agree with greater good idea please share the link with your circle. Thanks and THINK BIGGER nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%…

For those of you who really want want to take your leadership to the next level here are 2 critical questions to ask your direct reports: 1) What can I do to help you be MORE successful? & 2) What can I do to make it EASIER for you to get your work done? This is REAL leadership!

Today could be a normal Weds. or you could take your leadership game up a notch by investing 15-20 minutes wandering around your workplace catching people doing GREAT work & celebrating them/their team on the spot! Spontaneous praise is free motivational jet fuel. Use it wisely!

Memorial Day was started in 1868 as Decoration Day to to remember & honor the 620,000 who died in our Civil War. Since then 116,516 died in WW I; 407,316 in WW II; 36,516 Korea; 58,220 Vietnam; & 7,000 in the Middle East. Lives given in their prime for us! Very humbling indeed!

A friend recently had a major dust-up with her boss whom she described as an ego maniac, unintelligent, unrealistic, clueless, uncaring & Dr. Jekyll-like. Her boss was driving her crazy & my sought counsel. My next several posts will focus on how to manage your boss-stay tuned!

Manage Your Boss (MYB) #1: Start by assessing the quality of your working relationship with your boss. Conduct a SWOT Analysis in writing of Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities to improve and Tensions-Grade your relationship and see what you learn & what you need to do to improve.

MYB #2: After reviewing your Boss SWOT please realize you can't change your boss' shortcomings. This not fatalism-just reality. So we must adjust our approach to working with our boss without compromising our values, priorities, or mental health. Serious REFLECTION is required!

MYB #3: Put yourself in your boss' shoes! Do you know & understand what your boss is being paid to deliver & the pressures they are under from above? When you know what your boss is really up against, it is easier to develop a gameplan to better work together & help them succeed!

MYB #4: Work hard to know and understand your boss' STENGTHS & WEAKNESSES! Whether you like it or not your & your boss are connected @ the hip. Be a student of your boss to better understand them-their style, habits & idiosyncrasies. This info will help you better adjust to them.

MYB #5: GET & STAY AIGNED-It is imperative that you work with your boss to clarify your role, goals & responsibilities on a ongoing basis. You need to be properly focused on delivering the RIGHT RESULTS. In our research, boss-subordinate overlap on this KEY ISSUE is only 57%!!!!

MYB #6: Communicate with your boss using their rules! Do you know & understand your boss' communication habits & practices? Learn HOW & WHEN to best communicate with your boss to increase 2-way information flow. You need this info to operate at your BEST & STAY ALIGNED & INFORMED

MYB #7: Keep Your Boss Situationally Aware of Your Performance-Once your performance parameters are in place, write & submit a one-page performance summary each month to keep your boss up to speed on YOUR PERFORMANCE. Ask for a 15 minute "timeout" to discuss and seek their input!

MYB #8: Work on Your Brand as a Professional Who Works Well With Everyone and Who Great Delivers- Are you known in your organization as someone who is easy to work with? As someone who get real things done? These behaviors are critical to give you leverage & favor with your boss!

CORRECTION: MYB #8: Work on Your Brand as a Professional Who Works Well With Everyone and Who Consistently Delivers Great Results! (This is what happens when you don't wear your reading glasses which is another important life lesson when typing important things-LOL!)

MYB #9: Always Show Respect for Your Boss Even If They Haven't Earned It! Don't engage in gossip, backbiting, hating or making your boss look bad. These action do not happen in a vacuum. Bosses have ears, it demotivates people, and it speaks poorly to others about YOUR character!

MYB #10: Know When It's Time To GO! You can't change your boss. If your boss is performing in a fashion that is damaging YOU & your career aspirations it is time to develop your thoughtful exit strategy & timeline. Many a bad boss has helped people find better opportunities-joy!

We buried my 68-yr old brother Dr. Paul Longenecker Sat. who died of stomach cancer on short notice. He was a GREAT person & professional. Lesson-when we pass people will remember the lives we touch & the love we truly shared with those in our circles. Make each day truly count!

I have been doing some interesting research on TRUSTWORTHY LEADERSHIP this year with some interesting findings. Leaders must demonstrate both competency & character. When either is missing a leader's influence/impact is damaged. Short video with findings youtube.com/watch?v=e-6TYu…