Leadership, “Reputation Matters,” Forbes, June 18, 2017

To rephrase Madeleine Albright: There is a special place in heaven for men — and women — who help other women. But for Uber, and so many other organizations, their cultures are in need of an essential transformation before they even begin to find their place in the firmament.

Of course Uber is not the only company to sport a “bro” culture that can be antithetical to women executives’ presence, progress, and well-being. They’re just one of the most flagrant.

So, as Arianna Huffington and Eric Holder began to publicly reign in the executive office, and board, I began to think of what it would really take for Uber, and other organizations, to immediately empower, support and profit from the women in their workforce. I decided that this, drawn from over 25 years’ experience as a coach, reputation manager, and CEO dedicated to promoting women and girls’ leadership at every level, would be the topic of my remarks: 11 Ways To Support the Women in Your Organization and Life. I am pleased to share it with you today. […read more]

Leadership, “Reputation Matters” Forbes, January 6, 2017

Are you getting tired of all the content-less “content marketing” that pervades the internet in order to “brand” professionals as thought leaders? I know that a lot of the HR heads and CEOs I work with are.

They see this explosion of self-branding “lite” as insubstantial and overly self-promotional. And while the internet does afford everyone a platform to air their thoughts, when done poorly it can backfire and actually take away from your professional reputation and brand equity, instead of building it up.

Unlike a celebrity profile, an executive reputation or brand is forged when you truly stand for something and the totality of your work product, presence, writing, insight, and professional and personal actions support that stance. Whether it is as an A++++ player, a subject-matter expert, a breakthrough strategist, or an inspired leader, these are brands that are built up over time and execution, and validated by the opinions of others, including the media.

True content marketing is leveraging the unique ideas, expertise, opinions, and insight of employees not for the employees’ sake, but to raise the reputation of their organizations.

It is possible for corporate or non-profit professionals to successfully position themselves in public as thought leaders, but not for everyone and not in the wrong ways.

So, to help you avoid some of the pitfalls of over-self-promotion and under-delivery, here is my list of the nine worst ways to brand yourself in 2017. […read more]

Leadership, “Reputation Matters,” Forbes, January 2, 2017

2017 is the perfect time to learn some new leadership and coping strategies for the battles ahead — in business, politics, war, and life.

Last year we found out just how wrong we can be in our collective assumptions — and how much we don’t know about what others are thinking, or doing behind the scenes.

Whether it is because the Internet allows us to only hear from people who think like we do; polls relying on “Big Data” can be wrong; we are convinced of the wisdom of the crowd, even when the crowd is being manipulated; or we are just plain gullible — it is time to realize that leaders need to listen to and learn from those who think differently from them. […read more]

Leadership, “Reputation Matters” Forbes, April 4, 2016

When you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu, former Governor of Texas Ann Richards used to say. She may have been referring to politics, but this is equally true in the worlds of business, academia, and nonprofits.

The biggest decisions about your career are often made when you’re not in the room. Whether it’s a decision about if you’ll be hired, promoted, or fired; whether you are put forth by a headhunter to a selection committee and then asked to join a corporate board or become a university trustee; whether you make Managing Director or are passed over; are awarded tenure; or offered the CEO slot, your professional fate is often determined in closed rooms where people are talking about – and evaluating – you, without the benefit of your input. […read more]

Leadership, “Reputation Matters” Forbes, February 8, 2016

We all have a little Martin Shkreli in us. That unrepentant 2-year-old voice we’ve spent a lifetime burying deep within, every so often comes screeching out: I won’t be good; I don’t want to do what everyone tells me to do; Nobody understands me; I won’t be quiet or go to my room, I’m just going to wail – so there.

And we all, occasionally, wish we could let our worst natures out at work: Congress, you’re imbeciles; Boss, you’re wrong – and a jerk – and I quit; Colleagues, stop pandering to the boss and get a life; Shareholders, you are SO gullible…

Perhaps this is why we are so fascinated by Shkreli’s shenanigans – if you can call moves to raise a life-saving drug from $13.50 a pill to $750 a shenanigan. But he’s young and a little cute, and we keep feeling that, unlike Donald Trump, there may be some hope left for this guy if he can just get his head on straight. […read more]