Makarios Consulting Blog

Category: Leadership Training

I’m a Leader But I’m Also a Player and It Is Burning Me Out

Everybody is busy nowadays; no question about it. But there is busy and there is burnout. The two are very different. For leaders who are also forced to pick up a role as a player on the team they coach, burnout is often right around the corner. There are several ways this happens. Here is… Continue reading I’m a Leader But I’m Also a Player and It Is Burning Me Out

Leadership Courage Part 6: Building Trust

At first glance, building trust does not seem like it would require leadership courage. Yet, it does. Here is why: trust, at its core, is a combination of competence, integrity, and empathy. Competence is necessary because to be a trustworthy leader your followers need to know that you know what you are doing. Integrity is… Continue reading Leadership Courage Part 6: Building Trust

Leadership Courage Part 5: Giving (Tough) Redirecting Feedback

Feedback is perhaps the single most powerful tool a leader has at his or her disposal to bring about significant improvement in employee engagement and performance. Ken Blanchard wisely noted, “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” That being said, most leaders avoid giving redirecting feedback – feedback that seeks to change negative behavior or performance… Continue reading Leadership Courage Part 5: Giving (Tough) Redirecting Feedback

Leadership Courage Part 4: Setting a Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal

Businesses around the world are indebted to James Collins and Jerry Porras for giving us the concept of the “BHAG” – a “big, hairy, audacious goal.” BHAGs have been instrumental in challenging and changing businesses for the better for years. BHAGs are stretch goals: specific in nature, long-term in timeframe, and transformative in outcome. It… Continue reading Leadership Courage Part 4: Setting a Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal

Leadership Courage Part 3: Tackling the Tough Issues

Imagine you are walking along and see an old, empty paint can in the road. Do you pick it up and throw it into the nearest dumpster – or, do you kick it down the road? Most corporate teams, if they answered the metaphorical question honestly, would admit that they tend to kick the can… Continue reading Leadership Courage Part 3: Tackling the Tough Issues

Leadership Courage Part 2: Engaging in Open Dialogue and Healthy Conflict

Peak team and company performance depends on open dialogue and healthy conflict. Unfortunately, the dialogue within many teams and at many companies is often less than open and the conflict is anything but healthy. There are many possible reasons for less-than-optimal interpersonal communications. For example, people may: Protect their turf rather than looking at the… Continue reading Leadership Courage Part 2: Engaging in Open Dialogue and Healthy Conflict