Category Archives: Leadership

Remember D-Day

Posted on Saturday, 6 June 2015 10:38 am by markpilip

There wasn’t anything in today’s news, but today is the 71st anniversary of the beginning of the liberation of Europe. When I wake up, I try to imagine what it must have been like to be a 20 year old … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Remember D-Day

Consulting and Confirmation Bias

Posted on Wednesday, 21 January 2015 9:28 am by markpilip

Confirmation bias is a silent and unseen business killer that is preyed upon by large consulting companies. Ensure an external or internal Devil’s Advocate is in place to counter confirmation bias. Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Strategy | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Stop Looking to Trade Up Your Employees

Posted on Tuesday, 2 December 2014 6:01 am by markpilip

I often hear that companies are  “bowing to investor pressure” when shutting down lines of business or divesting business units, shedding thousands of jobs in the process. Or that investors “demand” outsourcing or offshoring strategies. Nonsense. Nothing could be further … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Organization, Philosophy | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Stop Looking to Trade Up Your Employees

Do We Have Each Other’s Backs?

Posted on Wednesday, 24 September 2014 10:01 am by markpilip

“At this level, you can’t expect somebody else to stand up for you.” A sad quote overheard in the breakfast room in my hotel just a few minutes ago. Two business colleagues were preparing for the day, and one said … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Philosophy | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Do We Have Each Other’s Backs?

Administrivia Root Cause: The Simple Heuristic

Posted on Thursday, 3 July 2014 7:00 am by markpilip

I used to work for a large corporation that required managerial approval to get a corporate Blackberry or to order food or snacks for meetings. Said another way, vice presidents were responsible for assessing the need for $30 worth of … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Philosophy | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Administrivia Root Cause: The Simple Heuristic

You Can’t Take Vacation, You Say?

Posted on Tuesday, 1 July 2014 10:32 am by markpilip

The decision to work yourself to death can’t be unmade. The ones you make the decision for won’t be at your funeral.  They will be busy replacing you with somebody else. So tell me again why you’re so indispensible that … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Philosophy, Update | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on You Can’t Take Vacation, You Say?

Extending the Circle of Safety Today

Posted on Thursday, 26 June 2014 9:26 am by markpilip

As we look forward to the weekend, let’s look back. As a leader did you: Clarify your organization’s “why?“ Bring others who shared your values into your organization, and not just those who had the skills you wanted? Extend the … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Extending the Circle of Safety Today

Remember D-Day

Posted on Friday, 6 June 2014 12:00 am by markpilip

It’s pitch black, 00:16 hours and you’ve just crash-landed near Caen. You’re in hostile territory, lost, and some of your comrades are already dead and wounded. You’re just 20 years old and have never been in combat. So began D-Day … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Remember D-Day

Price-Driven Corporate Brutality?

Posted on Friday, 30 May 2014 9:47 am by markpilip

The quest for the bottom line leads to brutality, says Seth Godin in today’s blog post. The race to the bottom, driven by price, causes people within companies to treat others with disregard of the Golden Rule. Outsourcing, treating customers … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer Care, Leadership, Organization, Sales | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Would You Fire Your Children?

Posted on Monday, 19 May 2014 1:40 pm by markpilip

I certainly hope not. Yet how many executives who speak of their company as having a “family” atmosphere think nothing of sacrificing that same family when the numbers are a little short. Oh, it’s explained using all the right terms, … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Leadership, Philosophy, Strategy | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments