Perception is Everything
LEADER'S FIELD GUIDE
What can a group of thrill-seeking ski bums teach us about uncertainty? Identify your team’s risk attitude and the importance of perception.
I was skiing with a group of friends. It was not the coveted bluebird day characterized by bright blue sky, brilliant sun, and sharp shadows. On the contrary, the clouds were thick, and light was flat making it increasingly difficult to see inconsistencies in the white landscape especially as the day drew to a close. That...
Getting to Inbox Zero
LEADER'S FIELD GUIDE
Tips and tricks for email management are countless and tend to be a bit polarizing, right? Get the 6 Ds and find out what Inbox Zero really means.
I went on vacation a few years ago and no one noticed! After a season of too much business travel, I started designing my work to be done from anywhere. As a function of that commitment, I created a great deal of flexibility in my business. Yet, no matter where I am, I notice the emails just keep coming. On that particular...
From Stranger to Raving Fan
LEADER'S FIELD GUIDE
A road map exists for converting potential clients to raving fans of your products and services. Discover the 8 stops on the Customer Value Journey.
Usually, it’s hours passed my bedtime before the band even starts their sound checks! I’m not a huge concert fan, and for those keeping score, I happen to be married to one! I am the one impatiently waiting for the opening band to hurry up, so the headliner can get on with their performance. Oh, and the dreaded...
Situational Brainstorming
LEADER'S FIELD GUIDE
We all know how to brainstorm: lots of ideas, no judgment. Good leaders must address the nuances presented in various situations. Here are some tips!
What would you call matter synthesized from exact ratios of protein and small particle dispersion of emulsifiers? Well, spumoni ice cream, of course!1 Technically, these colorful layers of chocolate, pistachio, and cherry are milk sherbet, or sherbet combined with milk.2, 3 This delightful dessert traveled from...
2020Q4 REVIEW: Progress
LEADER'S FIELD GUIDE
Let’s reflect on the Leader’s Field Guides from 2020Q4. As you focus on “progress”, how does patience and practice factor into learning and growth?
It’s time for a review! Reflect on 2020Q4 and consider what you’ve incorporated into your leadership and what needs more attention. Think about how each topic challenges you to reflect on your progress over the last three months. What role is practice and patience playing? How can you...
City of Gold
LEADER'S FIELD GUIDE
Miners worked for $2 per day, braving cave-ins and explosions. The Gold Rush presents leaders perfect examples of sunk, indirect and opportunity costs.
The aspen leaves looked like golden flakes of snow as they jettisoned from the black and white bark in the fall wind. These quaking aspens draw visitors to mountain towns from all over the world. My dad and I were no exception. As we meandered along the San Miguel River, the remaining leaves shimmered in the sun like...
Learning Styles Myth
LEADER'S FIELD GUIDE
You may not be able to use machine-learning algorithms, but you can entertain and engage learners while appealing to a broad set of learning styles.
I’m learning to speak Spanish. I wanted to say, “I’m trying to learn Spanish.” But, I deserve more credit than that. I can say things like, “There is a bear in the swimming pool,” and “My cat never showers in the morning.” I’ve been asked why I am learning a new language...
Scoring to Lose
LEADER'S FIELD GUIDE
Rarely does an opponent insist on giving points to the other team. What does an ill-timed goal tell us about instincts, clock management, and losing?
Have you ever seen football players signal a touchdown for the other team? Or teammates console the player that accidentally broke the plane, earning his team six points and a chance for a seventh? It’s extremely rare, if not unheard of… Well, until Todd Gurley, running back of the Atlanta Falcons, scored the...
Take a Chance Card
LEADER'S FIELD GUIDE
What was the game of Monopoly intended to teach us and what can great leaders learn about taking risk, managing fear, and revealing personal edge?
Remember the orange cards in the game Monopoly? I was pretty excited about drawing a Chance card, unless I had less than $200. Here’s why: 12 out of the 16 cards are actually beneficial, if you count the “Go Back 3 Spaces” card—which might give you a chance to buy that third of three Title Deeds....
Waiting to Bloom
LEADER'S FIELD GUIDE
It is hard to wait for a good plan to unfold, what can impatient or discouraged leaders discover from cotton blossoms, boll weevils, and denim jeans?
Doesn’t everyone have a favorite pair of jeans dyed to the perfect shade of indigo blue? Actually, they were called waist overalls until the 1960’s when our hipster Baby Boomers started calling them jeans.1 The ingenuity of these denim pants was more about durability than comfort, and more specifically, the...
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AUTHOR & COACH
Michelle Sugerman
Michelle Sugerman (PMP, PCC) is an author and leadership coach with Leading Synergies. She created Synergy Groups and TEAM Tenacity-- powerful online groups for Christian leaders seeking Community, Accountability, Transformation, and Leadership.
Michelle also partners with high-performers and heirs-apparent, especially in the STEM industries. Her formal background in technology, franchise, and project management gives her clients an edge for implementing best practices and scaling towards sustainable success.
Michelle lives in Colorado where she hikes fourteeners and enjoys gourmet meals with her loving husband and college sweetheart.
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