Comparing Football And Business: Team Orientation And The Importance Of New Hire Orientation
I’m sick of this NFL lockout. I want OTAs (Organized Team Activities) to start already, so my favorite teams can get their S___ together. Take the case of the 49ers. Harbaugh is the brand new coach, coming from a college program: Stanford. How much contact has he had with Alex Smith, the QB? And did…
Read MoreFootball and Business: Building Trust In The Workplace
Building trust in the workplace is essential in business today. So what do you do when business is promised, but the contract is juuuust not signed yet? NFL players during this lockout period are facing this dilemma and so am I. Speeches and training opportunities are coming in at a faster clip these days—better than…
Read MoreFootball and Business: Do You Need A Rookie Symposium?
Finding connections in football and business really is so easy! Today marks day 112 of the NFL lockout. Yet, the Rookie Symposium happened last week. Respected coaches and experienced veteran players gave the rookie players valuable MENTORING: advice, inspiration, warnings, hope—all useful information to mentor the new guys, which, as I write in my book,…
Read MoreNecessary Roughness TV Show – REALLY GOOD, And SO Similar To My Necessary Roughness Book!
So, okay, the USA Network show Necessary Roughness that debuted last night is not based on my book. . .but it DOES star a STRONG woman character (like me) who talks tough and straight, eyeball to eyeball with big men (like I do), and the first lines of the show are the lead character’s voice…
Read MoreLeadership Icons: Mother Theresa and – Lady Gaga?
When it comes to leadership icons, most people would not put Mother Theresa and Lady Gaga in the same category. But there was a great article in my new favorite magazine, The Economist, by Schumpeter, which quotes two recent publications that point out the similarities between these two women. Aside from the name changes (and…
Read MoreLife As A Keynote Speaker: Sharing The Stage With Bret Bielema, The Big Coach On Campus
People love to ask me about my life as a keynote speaker and who I get to meet in my travels. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of sharing a stage with Bret Bielema, head coach of the University of Wisconsin football team. We were speaking for the Wisconsin Broadcasters (radio and TV) at the gorgeous…
Read MoreCustomer Service Tip – Rory McIlroy’s PGA Tour Lesson for Business
Here’s a great customer service tip: doing more with less means keeping existing customers. So lately I’ve been delivering Customer Service keynotes and workshops more than any other subject! What separates a master from an average customer service rep? Their ability to hear and respond graciously to personal criticism, rudeness, and insane rants, and then–…
Read MoreVancouver Riots: Testosterone Run Amok?
What was up with these Vancouver riots? Yes, the Canadians, who have the reputation of being “such nice people” were rioting and looting in the streets of Vancouver post-NHL loss to Boston. Burning cars? What IS that? Women: would you ever set a random car on fire because your team lost? NEVER is my opinion.…
Read MoreNBA Finals — Business And Life Lessons For Us All
Last night’s NBA Finals game had SO many business and personal lessons for us all. 1. Contrary to Randy Newman’s song lyrics, short people got SO much reason to live! Jose (JJ) Barea, who is at least one head shorter than all the other players (he lists his height as 6 feet; the sportscasters call…
Read MoreNegotiating Tips – Ladies, Take A Hint From The Men And Don't Settle
Here are some great negotiating tips: Ladies, take a lesson from the NFL. Don’t settle for what you don’t want. Day 86 of the NFL lockout, and no sign of settlement. Guys are hanging out, practicing unofficially, or seeking attention doing crazy things. But the suspense continues. Are men better than women at not giving…
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