Leadership Essentials Articles
Vision. Mission. Passion. Character. Challenge.
6 Words that Earn Respect
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Dec. 30, 2019
Leadership is not about taking credit. It’s about assuming responsibility
4 Things We Think Make Us Look Smart, but Don’t
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Dec. 30, 2019
Think those technical terms impress your audience and make you look smart? Think again. Here are 4 things we think make us look smart, but don't.
Now What? 10 Ways to Jump Start Your ERG
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Aug. 6, 2015
Now what? You’re energized… but tomorrow, it’s back to work.
4 Ways to get Fresh Perspective without Hiring a Consultant
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on June 6, 2015
I get it. You're a small company. You know you need fresh perspective, but can't afford a consultant. No worries. Here are 4 ways to get an outside view from the inside.
The Myth of Silver Bullet Solutions
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Feb. 1, 2015
If all you have is a hammer, then everything is a nail.
Stand Up to Silence and Give Your Voice to Those Without
Written by Reuben Carranza on Jan. 18, 2015
Here's a call to give our voices to those without.
How to have an Opinion without Being Opinionated
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Dec. 28, 2014
Embrace clarity and you’ll find you’re not just stating your opinion, you’ll be changing people’s opinion.
How to Teach Girls to be Courageous Leaders
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Dec. 14, 2014
What are we teaching girls? To worry about social status?! Likeability is a luxury, not a goal. Let's teach them courage, and conviction and let's change the world.
Could You Pass this Test of Character?
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Nov. 30, 2014
Character is not defined by what you say, it's defined by what you do. What are your actions saying about you?
The Best 1 Minute Investment You can Make in Your Employee
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Nov. 18, 2014
What if you could make a powerful and lasting change on the people you coach in a matter of moments? You can.
How to Make a Better Strategic Decision
Written by Nat Brooks on Nov. 16, 2014
How's your business making decisions? With wishful thinking and relying on emotion? Or on facts and strategic analysis.
How to Change Your Tone for Business Success
Written by Toi Jones on Nov. 9, 2014
Collaboration thrives with positive pressure, But not in a pressure cooker. Here are 3 collaboration tips to keep your partnerships moving forward.
What Business School Can't Teach Your Leaders About Trust
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Nov. 2, 2014
Do you know how much is in your "trust" account? You know, the account where your organization keeps score on how much they trust you? Maybe it's time to find out.
4 Ways Gum Wrappers Can Change Your Leadership
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Oct. 26, 2014
People who seek to stand out should be prepared to bend down… And pick up gum wrappers.
4 Power Plays You Can't Afford to Ignore
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Oct. 20, 2014
What can cause of good manager to swerve out of control and take your business with it? Power.
The Motivation Formula Every Manager Needs to Know
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Oct. 12, 2014
A little negative goes a long way. Do you know how much positive can offset it?
3 Questions Successful Businesses Need to Ask about Strategy
Written by Nat Brooks on Oct. 5, 2014
Success often masks bad habits. Change exposes them. Which habit is waiting to trip you up?
The One Phrase that Kills Credibility
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Sept. 28, 2014
You can turn a blind eye, but your organization isn't blind.
Knowledge vs Wisdom
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Sept. 27, 2014
I think we often seek knowledge in hopes that it gives us wisdom
The 1 Thing You can do TODAY to Drive Engagement
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Sept. 21, 2014
There's a fine line between making work meaningful or disengaging your workforce. Here's the how to make difference. From Gallup Business Journal.
4 Sure Signs It's Time to Work on Your Strategy
Written by Nat Brooks on Sept. 14, 2014
Are you getting surprised too often? Here are 4 signs your strategy needs a tune up.
Why Your Team Won't Follow You
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Sept. 7, 2014
Do you want your team to follow you or to "friend" you?
The Simple Secret of Earning Influence
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Aug. 17, 2014
"Think like a person of action; act like a person of thought." HowardBehar
How to Make your Boss (and others) Much Better
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Aug. 9, 2014
It’s one thing to manage down. And it’s great when people can manage up. But it’s a unique skill to "invest up.”
What Bloggers can Teach Your CEO about Trust
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on July 27, 2014
How many leaders simply have power because of their positions? Imagine if all leaders had to earn their followers every day with every word and action.
How to Hear What Others Don't: The Secret of Power Listeners
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on July 13, 2014
Great coaches are great listeners. They don't just hear what's said, they hear what's unexpressed. They hear untapped potential, an unrealized goal or an unresolved conflict.
The Power of Today; The Pitfall of Tomorrow
Written by Tom Wilmanns on July 6, 2014
Every “tomorrow” that never comes is a piece of you at your best lost to yesterday.
The Mark of Character
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on June 29, 2014
Character comes from within us and leaves our mark on others.
The Difference between Succeeding and Exceeding
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on June 29, 2014
Show that you care. There's no bigger investment we can make in our organization.
What Six Year Old Twins Can Teach Your CEO about Leading Change
Written by Paul Smith on May 23, 2014
People aren’t really afraid of change; they’re afraid of not being prepared for the change.
How my Plant Nurse Taught me to Make Missions More Meaningful
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on May 22, 2014
Is your organization struggling to connect to the business? Here's how one P&G plant nurse taught me how to add meaning to the business mission
How NOT to Listen - One Habit that's Not Helping You
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on May 18, 2014
Are you listening or are you leaping? Conclusion jumping plagues all the professions. Our past experiences shape our assessment of new situations.
Finding the Time to Lead: Make ONE Moment Matter
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on May 12, 2014
"We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right." Nelson Mandela
Exceed Expectations: Lessons from a High Achiever
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on May 11, 2014
I was a top 30%'er hoping to be a top 15%'er. Until someone taught me to exceed.
Legacy
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on April 20, 2014
We cannot lead by trying to predict how the future will look back on us. We must lead by looking forward and staying true to our principles and values that guide us.
Don't Wish for Power; Wish for Influence
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on March 9, 2014
Power is limited by the number of people that report to you. Influence has no boundaries.
Leadership Lessons from The Who's "Magic Bus"
Written by Jim Keighley on March 2, 2014
In my experience, I've learned that managing people in Corporate America is like driving a school bus – but not just any school bus – it's a "special" Corporate school bus.
How NOT to Present to the CEO
Written by Paul Smith on Feb. 15, 2014
The first time I presented to Procter and Gamble's then-CEO, A.G. Lafley was unforgettable. That day I learned a valuable lesson—the hard way—about how NOT to present to the CEO.
The 3 Mind Factors
Written by Elia Lopez on Feb. 11, 2014
There are 3 universal laws about how our minds work that we sometimes forget as we develop organizational messages and communication.
Lead Out Loud: With Stories
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Feb. 1, 2014
One of the easiest and most overlooked leadership tools is the story. Stories may be simple, but their impact can last a lifetime.
Who Makes Work Meaningful?
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Jan. 26, 2014
It's the smallest things we do that matter and touch the lives of people. We make work meaningful for those entrusted to us, whom we are privileged to serve.
Choosing Our Associates
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Jan. 5, 2014
Worthy friendship is a universal quest. Who will walk down the narrow road with you, willing and able to weather the storm? Who will stand in the gap with you?
Evoke
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Dec. 29, 2013
Evoke means to draw out something hidden, untapped or unrealized. Perhaps individually we cannot shift the entire equation, but together, I believe we can evoke extraordinary.
What I Believe as a Leader
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Dec. 29, 2013
Leaders matter. Character matters.
The Mission Statement
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Dec. 28, 2013
A mission statement is a declaration of our purpose, and a commitment to ourselves, our organizations and to those whom we serve.
Invest Time, Don't Split Time
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Dec. 22, 2013
To manage my priorities, I have learned to follow a simple rule, "everyone is 100%."
Disproportionate
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Dec. 22, 2013
"There's more money put into baldness drugs than are put into malaria. Now balness is a terrible thing..." Bill Gates TEDTalk Feb 2009
Defying Gravity with the Little Things
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Oct. 28, 2013
Do you want to teach someone to fly, or to fly higher and longer? Remember the little things: encouragement, recognition, appreciation, responsiveness.
The Power of a Mission
Written by Rebecca Okamoto on Oct. 4, 2013
My mission is to commit my voice to those who have none. I now find that I have unstoppable clarity and power. Where does this power come from?