Why a Competitive Advantage Means Nothing

In a previous article, I wrote about the importance of being able to change.  That article focused on the need to transform individually and enterprise wide.  Neuroplasticity is the technical term given for making paradigm shifts in the brain.  In a book called, The End of Competitive Advantage, by Rita Gunther McGrath, she talks about how market dominance can be fleeting.  Companies unable to quickly change can

Should You Be Thinking about Neuroplasticity?

Every healthy brain has neurons.  Those neurons store and carry information tied to your thoughts, education and experiences.  Those neurons travel on paths in the brain, which are called neuropaths.  The information the neurons carry helps you move, speak and think.  In addition, those paths help you make sense of the world and relate one topic to another.  For example, you can use mathematics to assess the amount of

Demonstrating an Intentional Breakdown with Curl Exercise

How Do You Transform Breakdowns into Breakthroughs?

Watch me demonstrate an intentional breakdown with a curl exercise.  Click here.

Is Integrity Really That Important?

When people think of integrity, they think of ethics and morals.  For the purpose of this article, integrity is doing what you said you would do.  And doing it when you said you would do it.  One definition is: the state of being complete or undivided.  Integrity is a way of being whole and complete.  Without integrity, things tend to remain in a state of

How Do You Assess Your Life?

It’s been a while since I’ve spoken with the man I consider to be the wisest in the world.  As usual, he filled my ears with his perspective about life and people.  Today his concern was about a built-in trap that is part of the human paradigm.  He said this trap is one that blinds people and makes them believe in problems that don’t

What Is the Disruptive Leadership Model? - Ted Santos

How Do You Find Your Life Purpose?

3 Important Rules of a Game Changer

It could be said that Michael Jordan changed the game of basketball. Steve Jobs changed the game of cell phones. There are many more examples of game changers, like the Wright Brothers or Thomas Edison.

In the case of the Wright Brothers, they pursued a goal in the face of being

Why Do Cannibals Lead the Pack?

When your company is doing well,that is the time to orchestrate transformation.  These are the immortal words from a former CEO of a Fortune 500.  However, too often, CEOs are so focused on maximizing profits from existing revenue streams.  As a result, when a competitor introduces a disruptive product or service, the incumbent is not prepared.  That leads to being

To Build or Not to Build: That Is the Question

From the perspective of business executives, there are two ways to grow an enterprise: build or buy.

They ask whether it is appropriate to build a new business idea, product or service from scratch.  Or should the company buy an existing corporation that already provides the desired product or service?

The answer to that question: it depends. Either way, the solution is never simple.

Often, purchasing another organization is an

What Differentiates Leadership from Management?

Most of what is taught in business school has a focus on steady, incremental improvement.  I don’t want to throw that out.  I do, however, suggest that businesses can create quantum leaps.  And the difference between the two processes is what defines leadership.

So, where do I start?  I ask:  What’s the difference between a manager and a leader?  Managers become managers because

How Do You Know If You Are Living Your Purpose?

As a society, we continuously contemplate the meaning of life. In trying to define the reason for being, we attempt to understand the purpose of our own lives. That said, how do you know your purpose? 

Some believe that purpose can be derived from

Are Your Decisions Influenced by Things You Don’t Know You Don’t Know?

When I first meet with a client, I tell them something profound.  Within the first 20 minutes of that meeting, I tell them they are still making decisions as a five year old.  In every single case, they tell me that that does not apply to them.  Over the next 90 minutes, they say something different.  They come to the

What’s the Best Path to the C-Suite?

 

For many, the job of the CEO looks like hard work.  On the surface, observers see high responsibility, long hours and the weight of the company on the shoulders of a CEO.  When you peel off the layers and look closer, you see the keys to move up the corporate ladder have more to do with

Here’s Why Most Don’t Make It to the C-Suite

The path to the C-Suite is not for everyone.  That is where people with titles like CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, etc. work and serve as the leadership team in an organization. For those who make it, it can represent the quintessential career path of success.  To get there, it may require one to be well educated, business savvy, a sound decision maker, a leader, intelligent and much more.  From the outside, it may appear the requirements above are replaced by corporate politics.  Even though politics may play a role, the C-Level executive of the 21st Century will have to meet demands that may not have

Can You Have a Breakthrough Without Breakdowns?

A breakthrough can be a wonderful milestone in anyone’s personal life.  Or it can be a pivotal moment for a business. 

As children, we accomplished several breakthroughs by age five.  While those were monumental times, they were not

Are You Having Bad Meetings?

Too often, you hear employees complain about the amount of meetings they attend.  In some cases, they say there was no need for the meeting.  In others, you hear the meeting could have been accomplished through emails.  One of the worst outcomes of a meeting is the meeting after the meeting.  Those can turn into the real meeting where

Are We Unintentionally Raising Generations of Disadvantaged People?

Over the weekend, I spent a few hours with the older gentleman I know.  His wisdom is exceptional.  And I’m always prepared to hear what is on his mind.  As usual, he engaged me in a thought provoking conversation that may cross the boundaries of political correctness.  At the same time, it is a valuable conversation I would like to share. 

He started with the following: It is a parent’s job to prepare their children for life.  When they are negligent in that job, the child could grow up to be

Here's Why You Should Strive for Chaos in Your Company

Is Experience a False Indicator?

I was recently engaged in an online conversation about the difference between experience and opinion.  On the surface, they appear to be very different.  However, when you peel back the layers, you discover they are birds of a feather.

When we are born, it is like we are given a

Why Your Experience Rarely Matters

When ten people encounter an event together, why does each person recall a different story about it?  One’s point of view can obstruct what is seen.  By point of view, I’m referring to mental, not physical.  With that question, it makes you wonder: Do we really experience what we say we experience? 

The day we are born, we have no

Is Being Right Always Right?

From birth, there are certain things that all humans share, regardless of language or country.  When we are born, no one is born with the ability to walk, talk, feed themselves, tie shoes or write their name.  Each of us has gone through the process of learning those things.  And we failed many times in the process.  Those are some of the things that all healthy people share.  It is part of our human experience.  And it is part of the common ground that binds us together as a human race. 

At the same time, even though we all experienced times of failing, like falling over and over when first learning to walk, we somehow began learning the value of

Hard Lessons Learned by Managers

Whether you’re the CEO or a supervisor, you will learn many lessons throughout your career.  One resounding lesson learned by some managers is when to let go.  Let go of what?  You may ask.  In previous articles, I talked about three levels of performers in a corporation – high performers, average performers and under performers.  Then there is another group that can be one person or more, the

Going Beyond Diversity Training

 “If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” –Frank A. Clark

Shifting the Focus

The corporate environment is ripe for women and minorities to step into leadership roles. To maintain those roles, it will be important to develop skills to handle larger obstacles. When you aspire for higher accountability, you must be prepared for