Labrador Leadership

Labrador Leadership

By Bob NolleyBusinessMarketingCareersManagement
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Labrador Leadership episodes

  • 064 Thomas O’Grady of Life Unsettled Talks About the Economy, Selling Gum, and Why the Boomers are in Trouble


    Bob welcomes Thomas O'Grady, Host of the Life Unsettled podcast, a self professed entrepreneur at heart, tells his story from being a child chewing gum tycoon to understanding just why there is so much individual struggle in the current economy.

    After he graduated from Berkeley with his PhD in mathematics, he went to an interview at GM with no expectations.  He surprisingly landed a great job during research with unlimited computer support and a career for his wife and an assignment asking him to do whatever you want.  He later went to Chase to manage the automotive division.  He was told there that there was no way that the division would ever be profitable, so he went out and made it profitable. Bob points out that opportunities such as these don;t fall out of the sky, that they are indeed the result of ongoing hard work.

    The one leader he has worked with that was an inspiration to him was Lee Iacocca.  He was known at the time to have a bit of a temper.  When he met him as a potential consultant, Thomas told him that he talked straight whether he wanted to hear the message or not.  Iacocca stood up and shook his hand saying it was about time he found someone that wouldn't be a yes man to him.

    Thomas says the current economy is one in which the structure has changed and companies and individuals need to adjust.  He argues the country has transformed including how it looks at unemployment and the speed at which businesses expand.  The rules have changed as companies reduce costs by reducing hours and seeking a younger less costly work force.  Small businesses are the segment that seem to be experiencing real growth.

    Finally, while in the service he did intelligence work and was recognized for successfully cracking Russian codes.  He also intimates that he has been asked to do more throughout his career.

    Thomas' hit podcast Life Unsettled focuses on the challenges that Baby Boomers and others have shifting to later phases of their lives. He quotes Dave Ramsey when he mentions that 97% of people age 65 and over cannot write a check for $600.00.

    His advice to a new MBA just hitting the street now?  Start setting aside for retirement now.

    Thomas can be reached at Life Unsettled.

    Thomas on Twitter
    28 min
  • 062 Leaders Be Warned: Office Policies Can Kill Your Team Faster Than Layoffs


    Bob and Alex discuss an article from Travis Bradberry on office policies that can kill the momentum of a team if not the organization.

    Some of the worst policies in place include:

    * Absurd internet access policies
    * Email restrictions
    * Harsh restrictions to leave and time off
    * Forced performance rankings
    * Banning cell phones
    * Dress codes, and believe it or not
    * Restrictions on bathroom breaks.

    Travis Bradberry's article on office policies.
    25 min
  • 061 Leaders Be Aware–Most People Quit Their Bosses, Not Their Jobs


    Bob and Alex talk about the worst type of leadership, the type that is so bad that people actually quit them, rather than quitting the job itself.

    Reasons set forth in Travis Bradberry's article of quitting your boss include:

    * not keeping your commitments
    * not caring about your people
    * not rewarding good work
    * promoting the wrong people
    * not developing people skills and strengths
    * not letting people pursue their passions
    * not intellectually challenging them not helping them be creative

    Dr. Bradberry's article can be found here.
    26 min
  • 059 Why Leaders Should Consider Candidates With a Liberal Arts Degree


    Bob and Alex talk about what a liberal arts degree brings to your team and how leaders should expect them to be key contributors.

    They show up as great team members through:

    * Knowing the importance of "doing your homework";
    * Being able to identify their audience;
    * Being willing to offer their opinion;
    * Knowing how to craft a compelling story; and
    * Having the hustle and the networking knowhow.

    Audrey Lecker's article can be read here.
    26 min
  • 035 Points you May Want to Work On Including in Your Interview

    Bob and Alex have talked a few times about fielding tough interview questions. They have heard from many folks who are unexpectedly starting a new search. In this episode, the conversation takes the perspective of points you want to make sure to touch on during your interview.

    The post 035 Points you May Want to Work On Including in Your Interview appeared first on Labrador Leadership.

    24 min
  • 030 Leaders Need to be Ready to Handle Emotional Outbursts in the Workplace

    Bob and Alex talk about how leaders need to be ready to handle the behaviors that are just totally unexpected. Alex talks about her experience as a bartender and Bob says that instances of this can be demonstrations of a lack of self awareness which is part of emotional intelligence.

    The post 030 Leaders Need to be Ready to Handle Emotional Outbursts in the Workplace appeared first on Labrador Leadership.

    26 min

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Labrador Leadership presents valuable, actionable, and engaging discussions and interviews on leadership skills that improve effectiveness of leaders for the sake of their businesses, their teams, and…