Watching the way that NBC has been handling the Conan vs Leno debacle has me thinking … why do experienced leaders continue to make poor decisions when it comes to succession? Many organizations now have systems in place that help identify emerging leaders – the rock stars of our businesses – and opportunities and challenges [...]

Well if we’ve ever needed an example of what it really is to lead during a crisis, this past week’s U.S. Airways flight 1549 water landing shows us loud and clear.  Just moments after takeoff, the 29-year U.S. Airways veteran captain of the plane and a pilot for 40 years, Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, knew [...]

Some time ago, I posted a series on the lessons that leaders can learn from celebrities – and in this post about Britney Spears I explained my STOP approach to crisis management: Story – I believe that a crisis is best handled head on. In a crisis, it is imperative that the leader OWNS the [...]

Finally after a nearly two-year campaign [although it seemed even longer], the U.S. voters have spoken – loudly and clearly!  In an historic election, Barack Obama won not only a popular vote by many percentage points, but he trounced his opponent in an Electoral landslide.  Regardless of your political stripes, the respect due Barack Obama [...]

Without question, we all strive to do the very best that we can. And, it probably goes without saying, that, to a large extent, we are limited only by our own capabilities. Be it singers, actors, athletes or even students, from a very early age, prodigies often make themselves known to those around them. The [...]

Allow me to describe the early beginnings of a particular woman: She was born to unwed, teenage parents in the 1950s At birth, with her father away in the military, her mom moved away leaving her to live with her grandmother She was so poor that she often wore dresses made of potato sacks, leading [...]

One thing that you may or may not have noticed in this series is that all of the women featured are known by their first name. First there was Britney and then Madonna. And now this is about “Angelina”. They need no other introduction. One of the most effective things that a leader can do [...]

Since coming onto the scene in 1982 (yes, 1982!), Madonna Louise Ciccone [aka Madonna] has achieved accomplishments unrivaled by any other artists in the music industry…EVER. She has sold over 200 million albums, conducted the highest grossing concert tour by a female artist, has become the top earning female singer in the world with a [...]

Britney’s brain is toxic Originally uploaded by bowbrick She is in the airport lounge. She is in the inflight magazine. When you walk past the duty free store there are perfumes. There is music and there are film clips. And she is all over the newspapers and magazine racks. Let’s face it, no matter how [...]

Our society is one wherein our social, fashion, beauty, even political, views are often dictated by celebrities. Why is this? Why would everyday folks take up positions that are espoused by favorite celebrities? What qualifies these individuals to warrant such leadership qualities such that others, many others for that matter, follow their lead?Why would Barack [...]