Articles in Leader Development

  • Leading Growth from a Distance - Part II

    December 16, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    Yesterday we focused on leading growth with your team. So many of us must lead people we are not around consistently. In yesterday’s post we talked about things you should do with you are WITH your team. Be sure and read through this helpful list if … More…
  • Leading Growth from a Distance - Part I

    December 15, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    If you are trying to influence others, you are at one point or another leading someone who is not with you on a daily basis. The measure of your impact on them will be determined not only by how you lead when you are with them, … More…
  • Drought Resistant Leaders - Part III

    December 11, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    Several years ago we had a drought at our farm that lasted about four years. We didn’t know it would be three more years during that first year. In fact, we didn’t know that we were in a drought until we were already about a year … More…
  • Drought Resistant Leaders - Part II

    December 10, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    Have you ever faced a stern, brisk wind? I have. Growing up in the plains provides numerous opportunities to deal with wind - lots of it. A drought resistant leader has a few options when facing a stiff, negative wind. You can run away, stand still … More…
  • Drought Resistant Leaders - Part I

    December 09, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    We are in a drought. This is a fact. Yet, the drought is as much a scarcity of drought resistant leaders as it is economic by nature. Picture a single oak tree with sprawling branches and fallen leaves in the midst of an autumn day. We … More…
  • The Amazing Art of Communication

    December 03, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    Yes, I believe communication is more art than science. Would you agree? Every book I have read on the subject normally places a scientific view of communication with a formula of activities to be the most effective communicator on the planet. I think I am pretty … More…
  • Monday, Monday

    December 01, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    Let’s talk about Mondays. I love them. I don’t really like meetings, but I do like starting the week. What I want to know is what do you do to make the most of Mondays? Help me make my Mondays better. Here is what we do, … More…
  • Resilience

    November 26, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    This is a year of Resilience. I have made it my word for the year. It is important for me, my family, our shareholders and our employees. In fact, it is important for a company to live out resiliency in every season it is in. Here … More…
  • Time to Lead

    October 31, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    The current economic and financial woes are truly a sign of poor leadership over past years and decades. It has little to do with one party or the other, but rather a collective compromise of “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” Freddie Mac, Fanny Mae, … More…
  • What To Do in Times Like These?

    October 15, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    Over the past few months I have been intently in tune with the economy, media reports and historical perspective.  I am amazed at how quickly the nation’s mood has swung.  Yes, I must admit it has affected me as well.  I am a bit more fidgety.  … More…
  • A Catalyst Leader

    October 08, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    Today, I get the privilege of gathering with 12,000 leaders from around the U.S. at our Catalyst conference. This 3 day event will bring together amazing young leaders, with inspiring speakers and powerful events.  We will hear from speakers such as Jim Collins, Seth Godin, Tim … More…
  • Lead Yourself

    September 23, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    It is impossible to lead others with any longevity or excellence without first leading yourself. Influence from a title will only last so long. People will not follow leaders who do not lead themselves. What does that mean? It means that whatever you expect of your … More…
  • Maximizing Stewardship

    September 17, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    While some say stewardship is the management of what we have been entrusted with, I believe it is a higher standard. It is more than just maintaining the status quo. Stewardship, rather, is the maximization of every opportunity in our lives and organizations. To maximize means … More…
  • Unexpected Leadership Lessons from a 10-Year-Old

    September 02, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    Last week was amazing. I had the privilege of spending a day with Patrick Lencioni in the San Francisco bay area. I was expecting a great day because Pat is a great leader and his team (Amy, Jeff, Karen, Allison, Amanda, etc.) is amazing. What I … More…
  • Handling the Pressure of Potential

    August 28, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    Stacy Wood, our HR manager, recently shared a powerful quote that impacted me - “A leader’s pressure is directly related to their potential.” We see this all the time. Think of the pressure on Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and other high profile athletes and leaders. The … More…
  • Learning to Take It

    August 20, 2008 • Chris Ediger
    After every speech or presentation I have a process of tough, objective review. In fact, within the GiANT companies this process is part of every process of innovation. This is not a process to simply feel good or look for praise. We are actually improving each … More…
  • Relationship Before Opportunity

    August 14, 2008 • Chris Ediger
    This is a mantra I want every one of our employees to live out. It is an old principle with fresh meaning. It means giving before receiving; planting before harvesting; serving before asking. The biggest part of this principle is not in what you get (opportunity) … More…
  • What’s In It For Them

    July 17, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    How many times have you heard the phrase, “What’s In It For Me?” Some people call it WIIFM. This phrase probably best defines our culture more than any other phrase. Yet, I am convinced it is a short-sighted philosophy. I would like to challenge us to … More…
  • Risk, Failure, Reward - What I Learned from Peter Roy

    July 16, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    I recently had the chance to listen and speak to Peter Roy, co-founder of Whole Foods and private equity, while at the YPO meeting in Virginia. He shared his wisdom and years of risk and reward in the natural foods and distribution business. There were several … More…
  • In Teamwork, Liberation Tops Conquest

    June 27, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    Working on teamwork within your company can be a waste of time if you’re attempting to do so in the wrong spirit.  I’ve watched dozens of leaders pour resources into training only to become cynical when the training seemingly did not work. The desire to motivate … More…
  • Capacity Leaders

    June 23, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    Over the last few weeks I have been working on a project with an amazing man, Mike Breen. In discussing influence, he brought to my attention one word that has affected my leadership lens on my employees and the way I think of the leadership topic. … More…
  • The Battle of Everyday Leaders

    June 05, 2008 • Jeremie Kubicek
    The smoke was still lingering from the heated confrontation in conference room two. The observers and passing by employees stood in shock at what they had heard - the struggle for power. Tim had won, again, by sheer will, obnoxious commentary and the higher title. Goliath … More…