tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:05:19 +0000The Teamwork Blog of Kevin Eikenberry and The Kevin Eikenberry Group. this blog talks about issues and ideas relating to teams, teamwork and greater performance, results, and enjoyment from being on teams.http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/teamwork.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)Blogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-3029855682338221866Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:53:00 +00002009-03-12T16:14:09.465-07:00More and more of us are leading teams that are remote or virtual. To get some answers to the questions that I have been asking, and some of our clients have mentioned, I went to Wayne Turmel, my friend and an expert on this topic - and the tools that you can use to become more successful in this area. Here is the result of our email interview. Kevin: Why is being the leader of a remote team http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2009/03/thoughts-on-leading-remote-or-virtual.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-2424280469500717817Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:03:00 +00002008-12-15T11:11:04.547-08:00We can find success secrets in many places - though they aren't always secrets. Success, you see, leaves clues, and when you observe, listen to and learn from the very successful in any arena of life you will find these clues . . . if you look for them.This morning I found them in a USA Today story about Will Smith (in part a promotion for his new movie Seven Pounds), The story, titled 'Seven http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/12/success-ideas-from-will-smith.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-927124773393324386Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:11:00 +00002008-12-14T04:11:47.246-08:00If you've read blogs for very long, you've seen these things before. A blogger posts "seven things you don't know about me" and in the chain letter tradition, urges seven more bloggers to do the same. Of course if everyone did that, by now even those without blogs would have had to start blogs in order to complete the cycle. But I digress . . .I have gotten these requests before and thought they http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/12/seven-things-you-may-not-know-about-me.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-7158296302852013533Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:34:00 +00002008-11-28T04:34:25.722-08:00successI just opened an email that told me I have been named a Distinguished Author by Best Management Articles. I don't share that to brag or make some sort of pronouncement. I share it here for the lesson it gives to all of us.If you want something, you must take action.I've been writing articles for several years - well over 300 of them at this point (not counting over 700 blog posts). In that time Ihttp://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/11/three-step-success-formula.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-5751500989177145702Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:13:00 +00002008-07-29T12:14:03.948-07:00My friend and project management expert Jim Brosseau just published his latest issue of the Clarrus Compendium, and he talks about an important distinction in team performance.Here is how it begins . . .In many shops, I have seen situations where one person (or perhaps a few, but it is always a minority) appears to be getting in the way, and the perception is that they need to be sent on their http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/07/what-do-your-team-members-bring-to.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-7712267848493361619Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:15:00 +00002008-07-25T05:48:15.101-07:00relationshipsIn this world of cell phones, skype, email, instant messages, Twitter, Facebook, Linked In (must I continue?) It seems hard to believe that we build communities around the world better than we do right . . . next . . . door.Consider this:According to social scientists, from 1974 to 1998, the frequency with which Americans spent a social evening with neighbors fell by about one-third. Robert http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/06/wont-you-be-my-neighbor.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-8437717507547547527Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:28:00 +00002008-06-22T16:28:37.327-07:00meetingsI sat down with Susan Otto, owner of Training-Modules.com, instructional designer extraordinaire, colleague and friend of mine recently (okay, we did it through email because we are both busy and live two hours apart) and asked her some questions about her experiences and advice around creating more effective meetings. Here are her thoughts on my questions . . .What is the biggest issue with http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/06/thoughts-on-effective-meetings-with.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-6173345612225386433Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:33:00 +00002008-06-18T09:34:13.188-07:00happinessattitudeThis month in the Remarkable Leadership Learning System, our members are focusing on their role as a leader in modelling and creating the attitudes that will create successful results. I'm excited to say that my Guest Conversation for our members is with Marci Shimoff of Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Secret, and most recently Happiness for No Reason (here's my recommendation of this book).If youhttp://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/06/remarkable-happiness.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-2412650737821947761Sun, 04 May 2008 13:24:00 +00002008-05-04T06:24:45.025-07:00relationshipsconncetions Staying connected is important for us in any number of roles in our lives: as leaders, as friends, as businesspeople, as marketers, as parents, as family members, as people.And while there are many ways for us to stay and get connected (including millions that don't include electronics, screens, or the internet), tools for building and strengthening relationships using the electronic/internet http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/05/staying-connected.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-5302146613875152716Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:03:00 +00002008-03-24T18:04:04.244-07:00mistakesrisksToday my son Parker, a Sophomore in High School had a disappointment. A goal of his for over a year was denied him, at least for now. After a long conversation, some hugs and some tears he is feeling better. It reminded me of a video my friend Jon Gordon shared on his website today. The title? Life = Risk (watch it here). When I watched it this morning, it made me smile. When Parker http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/03/life-risk.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-2926236439080200565Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:14:00 +00002008-03-15T09:14:18.205-07:00goalsI've been a bit restless for the past couple of weeks. Oh, I've been busy, and I've met most (all, I hope) of my commitments. But something hasn't quite been right. I could blame it on the cold that I had, or the lingering winter, but neither of these would be accurate, nor would blaming be very productive anyway.A brief conversation with my sister-in-law Kara yesterday put it perfectly. She sad,http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/03/getting-past-maintenance.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-8907008353091768256Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:31:00 +00002008-02-22T11:32:19.717-08:00clarityfocusIn the USA Today yesterday I read about a new book called Not Quite What I was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure. The title tells you the premise - you have just six words to write your memoir. You can read examples and contribute your own (perhaps in the next book!) here.This exercise got me thinking about ways you could apply this concept for focus and clarity - even if http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/02/if-you-had-just-six-words.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-6768870210343866853Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:59:00 +00002008-02-01T07:59:32.065-08:00Groundhog DayEach year Punxsutawney Phil comes up from his hole on Groundhog Day to see about the world around him and look for his shadow (or not). Media from around the world will cover this event (I haven't quite figured out why). You can learn more about this event and it's history from the official site. But this isn't exactly why I am writing on Groundhog Day Eve.Like I said, Phil comes up out of his http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2008/02/what-we-can-learn-from-punxsutawney.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-7605318125049338226Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:16:00 +00002007-12-13T19:16:47.627-08:00I recently read this somewhere:Being right is less important than being successful.This isn't the first time I've heard this idea, but when I read it this time it hit me as profound.Consider: - A leader who takes ownership of an idea of a team member, frustrating the team member and damaging trust. - An argument with a customer that becomes counter productive because being right becomes the http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2007/12/making-choice.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-5900803517588749997Sat, 08 Dec 2007 15:30:00 +00002007-12-08T07:30:35.106-08:00boolsBusiness bookscollaborative learningaccelerated learningLast week I attended the 2007 Author Pow Wow sponsored by 800-CEO-Read. At the end of the two day event the participants were asked to share a single word that encapsulated their feelings and thoughts about our time together.Words included: fun, invogorating, energy, relationships, genersoity, memorable, learning, and fattening (that was right on Ben). I chose the word Remarkable. The group http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2007/12/remarkable-learning-event.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-5104130553594881042Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:43:00 +00002007-12-04T02:44:38.682-08:00accountabilityI am fortunate to have a number of clients in the oil and petrochemical businesses. One of the things that always strikes me about their cultures is the extreme focus on safety. While many other businesses (including some of our other Clients) have a major focus on safety, in a petrochemical plant that deals with high pressures, temperatures, hazardous materials and more, it is ultra http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2007/12/leadership-lesson-in-safety-message.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-3415330666375720804Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:38:00 +00002007-11-19T04:39:11.091-08:00Business books The good folks at 800-CEO-READ have created a new set of book words specifically for business books. I am honored that my latest book Remarkable Leadership has been nominated!The awards will be based on reader votes. So, I’d be thankful and pleased if you were to vote for Remarkable Leadership as one of the best business books of 2007.To see the full list of nominated books and to vote for http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2007/11/remarkable-leadership-is-nominated-for.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-4728614126055238524Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:53:00 +00002007-10-15T05:54:06.968-07:00communicationThat was the title of the sermon J.K. Jones gave at Traders Point Christian Church yesterday. While in this post I won't include the scripture references, I believe the five points he made are extremely relevant to all of us as leaders, team members, and professionals (and as human beings).He suggests asking these five questions regularly:Are my words true?Are my words helpful?Are my words http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2007/10/words-matter.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-323505586356134419Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:25:00 +00002007-08-30T06:26:18.485-07:00reponsibilityaccountabilityI have a new hero - Denny Flanagan. Denny is a pilot for United Airlines and was the focus of a a front page article in Tuesday's Wall Street Journal. You can read the article here.Captain Denny does a variety of things for his passengers - and none of them are in the United employee handbook. Here are just a few examples:- he takes pictures of people's pets in the cargo area and show them to http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2007/08/we-are-all-accountable-to-make.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-8643800071378917799Sun, 19 Aug 2007 02:36:00 +00002007-08-18T19:36:50.104-07:00Remarkable LeadershipRemarkable Leadership: Unleashing Your Leadership Potential One Skill at a Time is now available online and at your local bookstore.Here's a post from the book's blog with the latest update.I'll be sharing much more information here in the days to come - but for now, trust me. You don't want to order or buy your book yet. There are over fifty reasons to wait until 8/22. More later.http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2007/08/remarkable-leadership-book-update.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-4861575642304306030Mon, 23 Jul 2007 08:49:00 +00002007-07-23T01:49:22.009-07:00booksreadingI've got lots of great stuff in my head to get out of my head, through my fingers to the keyboard and on to you, but time this morning is limited, so just a couple of great ideas I've run across in the last couple of days. Both of these ideas relate to books and reading, and both make me smile as a book lover and reader (and I don't think those things are exactly the same).In fact, book lovers http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2007/07/ideas-about-books-and-reading.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-3095315856600057168Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:15:00 +00002007-07-04T05:15:24.025-07:00choiceengagementfreedom Today we in the United States celebrate the 231st anniversary of our Declaration of Independence. In essence, we celebrate our freedom. While declaring independence, the 56 signers of that document were, at the same time, declaring their interdependence to each other.This paradox is not unlike the one we face in our organizations today. People want to be independent - able to make decisions and http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2007/07/freedom.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-1563656693178628617Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:26:00 +00002007-06-15T04:27:09.171-07:00leadership blogleadership I've asked myself that question in the past, and wondered what other people thought. So I took note of my personal list and had a member of my team (Thanks Erica!) scour the web for more to consider. After review and discussion, we landed on the following ten as our contenders, as of June 2007, for the Best Leadership Blog (in the galaxy?). CEO Blog - Time Leadership by Jim EstillDispatches fromhttp://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2007/06/what-is-best-leadership-blog.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-3182820258843536445Fri, 04 May 2007 10:55:00 +00002007-05-04T03:56:19.839-07:00customer serviceWhile reviewing a new program from Charthouse Learning called Leader Fish! (a program for leaders based on the Fish! philosophy, I heard a phrase used by Southwest Airlines people on the DVD. They talked about leaning towards the Customer.This comment was made talking about encouraging people to try new things and not to be afraid of making mistakes. The comment was that no one will ever get in http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2007/05/lean-towards-your-customer.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6647987.post-2590325946836507325Wed, 02 May 2007 15:32:00 +00002007-05-02T08:33:15.355-07:00communicationTo be the most effective as a communicator, it is our responsibility to communicate in ways that work for the other person. We must become adept at seeing the other person's perspective, their skills and their style. One of the best short pieces I've read recently on this truth was written by Guy Harris (who calls himself the Recovering Engineer) this week.This communication truth applies to us http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/2007/05/speaking-their-language.aspnoreply@blogger.com (Kevin Eikenberry)1