http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:00:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Friends, When I saw The Blind Side, I fell in love with Sandra Bullock.  Watching her acceptance speech I fell in love all over again. See the movie to watch a great mom-as-everyday-leader!  And see any of these awards ceremonies to remember: we don’t accomplish anything great alone.  Oh, there’s a couple ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/03/and-the-winners-are/ Lower the Bar I’d never met a composer before, but had the pleasure on Sunday of meeting David Winkler.  David’s composition “Winds of Time,” was premiered at Michigan State University with violinist Dmitri Berlinksy conducting the chamber orchestra.  David is the husband of my friend Kathi Elster, ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/02/lower-the-bar/ A rare RFL clarification to my prior post. I used the words "shut up" today. I wished I hadn't. I meant it the way kids these days will say "shut up," with a tone of "no way," or "get out of here," or "you're kidding me." It ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/02/should-i-shu-u-u-u-t-u-u-up/ Friends, What does this say to you?  Abraham Lincoln had only about a year of formal schooling.  George Washington was schooled by his father, until the latter died when Washington was eleven years old. His schooling ended then. Our two greatest presidents – who led the country through its two most treacherous ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/02/washington-lincoln-you/ Friends, I came at it from a bunch of different angles on Saturday. Topic: How do you get heard? I interviewed a radio producer to see just how the successful supplicants managed to get on JP McCarthy's morning drive time show. I talked to Lindsay a PR ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/02/you-can-lead-up/ Jack is 12.  Kate is 20.  They remain my best leadership lab: I study their behaviors, and study myself acting in response.  I like family leadership, because it’s real, raw, unpretentious, yet the stakes are high.  This week the two reminded me that it’s important to exercise my authority.  I ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/02/characters-and-family/ Today in the last of a series on reaching long-term goals, I offer age-old wisdom from Stephen Covey along with a simple, specific tactic. First, the tactic: create two-week goals.  Take the big long-term goal that you have, and ask yourself this simple question: "What can I accomplish in two weeks ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/01/succeeding-at-far-off-goals-last-in-a-series/ RFL Readers: I received two private emails from people who were upset with my choice of Kobe Bryant as a role model for leadership. They were not arguing with Kobe's work ethic and his turning to a coach to improve his skills. They instead said that his whole character ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/01/kobe-bryant-mea-culpa/ THE most important thing to do once you have a clear goal in place is to identify the key driver. By “driver” I mean the key strategy or activity that more than anything else will lead you to your goal. The goal is something you really want; the ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/01/hitting-the-hard-to-reach-goals-part-3/ [audio:http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Succeeding-at-Far-Off-Goals-Part-2.mp3] Today, leadership from Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. Yes, superstars. Yes, athletes. And yes, yes, they are relevant for you and me, everyday leaders. Kobe and MJ exemplify the third and fourth keys in this mini-series of thoughts for those who have a big goal which at times, ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/01/succeeding-at-far-off-goals-part-2/ Okay, so I’m done encouraging you to set goals. I’m moving on to a new and nearly universal leadership question: What are the key leadership strategies to succeed when the goals you are striving to reach will take a long time, and when there are variables that may ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/01/will-we-ever-get-there-leading-when-success-seems-far-away-at-best/ What are you doing about goal-setting? Take the 3-question survey on goal-setting: attitudes and best practices.  And see the results. Click here to take survey http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/01/peoples-fascinating-views-of-goal-setting/ Rene asked me in a post if I had any recommendations for time management resources/books. Here are my thoughts, Rene. I welcome others to chime in. First, I think time management and goal setting are lifelong pursuits. I do it differently year-to-year, trying to hone what works. ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/01/goal-setting-resources/ Friends, I first want to wish you a great 2010. A year in which you set sights that are worthy of the gifts and abilities and dreams you possess. A year in which you take the plunge and engage to make a difference in your world. A year ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2010/01/help-me-spread-a-positive-virus/ Friends, This week is just another week.  Today is just another day.  This hour has 60 minutes like every other.  And this instant is all you ever have – a largely unending succession to be sure – but only just this instant to be lived.  And yet we have the capacity ... http://www.danmulhern.com/wordpress/2009/12/lead-towards-your-best-self/