No one wants to follow a weak leader...or even a strong leader who is experiencing an off day. And, if you're a weak leader, or in a moment of weakness, you will take your entire team down with you. But, on any given day, in any particular moment, how do you know if you're being a strong or a weak leader? What if there was an analysis tool out there where you could get plugged into it and it would output a detailed report? Actually there is a rapid test. And, it doesn't require any special techn...
Sep 14, 2020•32 min•Ep. 104
Being an entrepreneur or founder of an organization isn't easy. It's long hours, high expectations and typically slow-to-arrive awards. Obstacles are constantly appearing out of nowhere, and the storms of life seem to camp out on your doorstep. Yet, consistently, probably the most prevalent issue for organizational leaders is this: Fixing The Money Problem. You're running out money, and quickly. This puts a leader in a point of desperation that holds the real risk of compromising your integrity,...
Sep 06, 2020•39 min•Ep. 103
The mature entrepreneur knows the tremendous value in being prepared, having your team ready and staying ahead of the schedule. And, being able to deliver what you promised on time and beyond expectations. Yet...there are those times... When things don't quite work out that way. Sometimes they don't work out that way at all. In fact, on occasion, you or someone on your team drops the ball...big time. Now, there is potential pie on your face, and your plan is flapping in the wind. There is only o...
Aug 31, 2020•28 min•Ep. 102
With politics...you only need 51% of your constituents to like you, and the rest, "Who cares?" Yet, in the business world, it's pretty difficult leading an organization when you've got only a slim majority of support. You've got to hope you're garnishing more votes than 51% or it's going to be a tough haul. The challenge is; however, as a leader, sometimes you've got to make decisions that have much less support than that. On occasion, you're the only one who sees things a certain way. And, if i...
Aug 20, 2020•30 min•Ep. 101
In this, the 100th episode of the Two Are Gathered Leadership Podcast, a topic is covered that is worthy of such a significant milestone in the journey. It is something that is seldom discussed in leadership training, books or podcasts, Yet, it's perhaps the most important. It's the heavy, heavy burden of leadership. The serious and grave responsibilities that few people talk about in regards to leadership roles. And, in addition to being a heavy burden, it's also the tremendous opportunity of l...
Aug 09, 2020•36 min•Ep. 100
It's been said that speaking is the highest paid profession in business. But, this isn't necessarily true. Yes. Leaders with the capability to speak before large audiences and in creative and compelling ways have only the sky as their limit in their ability to succeed. But, there is an even more valuable skill set for leaders than speaking. And, that skill is listening. You won't be a good speaker if you don't listen to and understand your audience. You won't be a good leader if you are not an e...
Aug 04, 2020•44 min•Ep. 99
For those of us who have been leaders or business owners for any length of time, you are quite aware of this sad truth...and that is, you're going to spend a lot of time at the Leadership Heartbreak Hotel. As entrepreneurs, we're risk takers. This is exactly what we've signed up for. If you're going to reach for glory, you're going have to gamble with your heart. You can't say, "I'm going to put my heart into this project," without actually putting your heart on the line. The currency you're inv...
Jul 22, 2020•42 min•Ep. 98
Leadership is about motivation, perseverance, adrenaline, rising above the challenge, reaching a higher level...boldly going where no one has gone before...and then...there are those days... ...when you just don't feel like doing anything. Some of the things that need doing, aren't all that fun to get done. And, your head might be in the gray clouds, in a depressed mindset where nothing is enjoyable to do. But, you still need to get things done. Your team is counting on you. And, being able to b...
Jul 14, 2020•33 min•Ep. 97
We all have those people in life, those true leaders, who when we have an important decision to make...we will go to them. They are our trusted advisor. They are someone we respect. They are someone we trust. In many ways, it's hard to imagine going through life without these people. They have so much influence on our achievements. In business, one could argue that being a trusted advisor is a necessity in being successful as a leader of an organization. Can you learn to be a trusted advisor? Ab...
Jul 06, 2020•39 min•Ep. 96
As a leader...all of the world is a stage. You're the lead player, and more than anyone in your organization, you are in the spotlight...for better and for worse. Unfortunately, for many of us, the worst parts of our personalities can draw the most attention, and often do. We're having to make difficult decisions under constant pressure, and because of this we can crack, and in the process really embarrass ourselves in front of our team. If this occurs frequently and we don't handle our mistakes...
Jun 29, 2020•42 min•Ep. 95
There are those times on the high wire when it comes to being a leader, when it feels like you're walking between skyscrapers, and your knees are feeling shaky, and the winds are howling around you. Then, glancing far, far below, you see a crowd...and you can see it in their eyes...they are thinking: "That guy's going to fall!" It's actually a state of mind, a visceral, psychological event that leaders and entrepreneurs go through, and there is a highly technical term for it...it's called, start...
Jun 20, 2020•36 min•Ep. 94
Business leaders are often faced with a challenging decision when it comes to the crossroads of uncertainty: should I hit the brakes, or should I accelerate? We've all been in that situation on the road. We're driving along at a nice, even pace. In the distance, everything is clear, and there is a green light on the traffic signal. Yet, suddenly, the light turns yellow, and we're faced with a decision. So too, is the case when it comes to your business. Is the wise choice to hit the brakes and t...
Jun 11, 2020•34 min•Ep. 93
Leaders, have you ever felt this way: Your mind is spinning, your blood pressure is rising, the problems are many, and the solutions are few? The walls are closing in all around you and the heat is clearly on. So what do you need to do? You need to take a break. It may seem completely counter-intuitive and some would say impossible during times like these...but taking a mental break...even when there is madness all around you...is not optional...it's essential. But, how do you do it without fall...
Jun 02, 2020•42 min•Ep. 92
There are many different ways of deconstructing the elements of success in business. Yet perhaps, if you were to best break it down, you could say that success comes from a series of many, many right decisions. So if we believe the premise, that success in being entrepreneur comes from making more significant right decisions, than wrong ones, then the pathway to victory now becomes a discipline of learning how to make right decisions. But, can you actually learn how to make the right decisions? ...
May 25, 2020•29 min•Ep. 91
There will come these times in the leadership journey when you and your organization hit a briar patch, a thorny place where the tires get stuck in the mud and the battery is not starting. It's not what you planned...it's not what you hoped for...but it's dark outside, it's starting to rain...and your team is looking at you for the solution. What is clear is a response is needed. In this moment, you may not have a clue what to do. But, that doesn't change the fact that everyone is counting on yo...
May 18, 2020•35 min•Ep. 90
It's difficult to find a leadership book in any bookstore, business library or executive bookshelf on the planet, that doesn't talk about the importance of focus. As a leader, we know all about the necessity for focus. We believe that we need to be focused and most of the time we do a pretty good job at focusing...until... Until...those times...when we really need to focus! Like when chaos is all around us. And...then all of the sudden, what was easy, what was maybe even second nature for us bec...
May 08, 2020•33 min•Ep. 89
Has the weather turned on you and your business suddenly? Are the waves starting to crash against the sides of your once comfortably traveling ship? Do you now find yourself in uncertain waters? All leaders are born instantly as experts at getting INTO messes. What separates the good from the great is their ability to get OUT of messes. The best leaders may have started their training in ivory tower classrooms or through heavy researching and mentoring. But at some point, to get your sea legs, y...
May 03, 2020•37 min•Ep. 88
There comes a time in the life of any leader of significance where they will face the toughest of decisions in the most challenging situation. During these times, there is rarely the perfect answer...the most clear choice...but action is required, a decision needs to be made...and everyone is looking at you. Because you...are the leader. In these moments of tremendous stress, and the highest level of danger for you and your organization, you must have the ability to muster the courage to take ac...
Apr 25, 2020•32 min•Ep. 87
As an entrepreneur, as a leader, loving what you do provides a central core of energy, a shield against all difficulties, and the motivation to take you up the highest mountains. It's what gets you springing out bed on a Monday morning...it's what takes you through the roughest rivers...with a laugh and a shout of victory when you make it through a Category 5 rapid. When your work is a joy...it's a joy to work. So...what do you if your current work situation doesn't provide you with the love you...
Apr 19, 2020•25 min•Ep. 86
There comes a time in the journey of every leader when all they have built, all they have hoped for seems to shatter into so many pieces on the ground. Things will break. Experiences will disappoint. The insurmountable odds against you...will sometimes prevail. It's just the way it is. It's the life of an entrepreneur. It's written in every leadership resume. But, there is light in the distance. And as a leader, the place you're going is always better than the place you've come from, because you...
Apr 14, 2020•33 min•Ep. 85
Life is an adventure. Being a leader is an adventure. Sometimes it's an enjoyable Sunday drive...and at other times it's a wild safari. When things do get a bit crazy...and especially when everything seems to go flat out nuts...the people around you are going to getting worried, nervous...and they might even panic. During these moments when the foreboding clouds are approaching and that twister appears in the blackened sky...you...as the leader, must still lead with a steady hand. Join Michael a...
Apr 06, 2020•35 min•Ep. 84
There is no more significant need of great leaders in the world, than when there is a crisis. When everything around you has shifted, when all of the rules have suddenly changed, when the right decisions, the right actions are needed...and needed quickly...excellence in leadership is required. And when it comes to your business...that leader is you. Join Michael and Jim as they share the wisdom earned through hard lessons in order to help you maximize your leadership skills during a crisis....
Mar 28, 2020•27 min•Ep. 83
"Do I have what it takes to start a business?" Let's be honest. If you're working for someone else...and you're a leader, someone who enjoys designing a vision, building a team, and pursuing a goal, then you've already asked yourself this question. You've wondered, "Why am I grinding away so hard at building something for someone else? For making someone else more wealthy?" Yes...friends, at some point in your life...you've probably asked yourself..."Do I have what it takes to start a business?"...
Mar 21, 2020•38 min•Ep. 82
Today's markets are so competitive, that for you to succeed in business, you can't swim in the waters of mediocrity. You've got to be exceptional. And even being exceptional will only get you so far. It will help you launch a company, and to have a good run at selling products or services. But, if you want to build something to last, something with long-term impact, it needs to rise to an even higher level. Join Michael and Jim as they provide key insights into getting your customers to love you...
Mar 15, 2020•29 min•Ep. 81
Being an entrepreneur is a wonderfully wild journey...full of winding roads, deep shadowy valleys and glorious peaks. It really is a Dickensian novel...in that it's "the best of times...and it's the worst of times." When it comes to worst of times..pretty high on that list are those moments when you have to share some bad news. Yet, doing it correctly, can make all of the difference in your role as a leader. Join Michael and Jim as they discuss the art and heart of breaking bad news....
Mar 11, 2020•37 min•Ep. 80
Successful leaders need to be effective communicators. This requires specific skill at using the language of leadership. Not all entrepreneurs launch their businesses with sharp communication skills. In fact, few ever do. The good news is the ability to communicate with power and precision is an acquired skill set. It can be learned. It can be developed day by day if you make it a priority, as you should. Join Michael and Jim as they explore important facets of the language of leadership....
Mar 01, 2020•39 min•Ep. 79
Every leader knows the role of perseverance in running a business. They understand the importance of overcoming obstacles on the pathway to success. Yet, few leaders every really consider what they'll do when success finally arrives. Surprisingly, this is one of the greatest causes of depression for entrepreneurs and goal setters. They finally reach their destination and they are overcome with one single, overwhelming sentiment: "Is this it?" Join Michael and Jim as they discuss a topic few othe...
Feb 22, 2020•37 min•Ep. 78
Sometimes an entrepreneur can experience seasons of defeat. These are moments when you're too deep in the valleys to even catch a glimpse of the peaks. Depression runs rampant among business owners and much of it is caused by the fatigue of stress and disappointment. It's understandable in these times to find yourself in a place where your emotional embers are down to a dull glow. But, don't despair! Oftentimes, it just takes some fresh winds to get the fires raging again. Join Michael and Jim a...
Feb 15, 2020•25 min•Ep. 77
Getting overwhelmed. Getting over our heads. This is a very common issue with entrepreneurs and one that needs to be avoided. It's one thing to be swimming in deep waters. It's another thing to be drowning. Fortunately, in business, when you're in those deep waters, there are different types of lifesavers and life rafts that can assist you when you're too short on time and too long on responsibilities. And, one of the most powerful flotation devices is something called outsourcing. Yet, if you d...
Feb 09, 2020•36 min•Ep. 76
The heartbreak. The seemingly insurmountable challenges. Even failure. These are all part of the entrepreneurial journey. Yet, there are those times. Those sweet, sweet moments when a plan comes together. When your team beats all odds. You overcome. And, above the clouds, with an unbelievable view below of all you've accomplished, it is all suddenly and powerfully worth the struggle. Join Michael and Jim in this special 75th episode of the Two Are Gathered Leadership podcast where encouragement ...
Feb 03, 2020•43 min•Ep. 75
