The first lemon of leadership is NO GOAL/NO SCORE. In this episode we explore why goals are critical to leadership success and present a simple and effective way to approach goal-setting. Brilliance Activator helps leaders uncork the creative power of their teams to develop products and services that delight customers, increase repeat sales, and improve [...]
Category Archives: Brilliant Actions
The Seven Lemons of Leadership – Episode Two
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Leadership and Cultural Change
In this video post, Chuck Dymer compares the leadership of cultural change to the demolition of a building. It’s done brick by brick and beam by beam. In other words, cultural change is brought about step by step… Brilliance Activator helps leaders uncork the creative power of their teams to develop products and services that [...]
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The NFL Players’ Strike, Argument and The Six Thinking Hats
Chuck Dymer of Brilliance Activator visited Arrowhead Stadium yesterday and had these thoughts about the NFL Players’ Strike: Brilliance Activator helps leaders uncork the creative power of their teams to develop products and services that delight customers, increase repeat sales, and improve their profit margins. Receive regular insights and information from Brilliance Activator by subscribing [...]
Brilliant Leadership: failure is not an option – it’s reality
Several weeks ago the Kansas City Chapter of the IDSA (Industrial Designers Society of America) held its first annual Un-meritable Awards program at The Idea Loft. The Un-meritable Award came about as a fun way to remind both industrial design students and professionals that failure is to be expected. “Pushing the limits and boundaries of what [...]
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The Leader’s Ultimate Time and Money Saver for Business Meetings
Studies indicate that business leaders spend at least 25% of their time in business meetings. Unfortunately, most of those meetings are as exciting as the one below – Twenty-five years ago I discovered a way out of the “meeting-mess.” I read Dr. Edward de Bono’s book Six Thinking Hats, applied his insights, and experienced improvements in [...]
Also posted in Brainstorming, Communication, Creative Thinking Techniques, Leadership, Teamwork, Thinking Skills Leave a comment
Brilliant Leadership Is A Picnic!
The Brilliance Activator blog is all about teamwork, creativity and leadership. On Saturday, I had the chance to experience those rather than merely post about them. Sly James is the new mayor of Kansas City. Instead of holding an inaugural ball, he held an inaugural picnic for city workers and residents! Here’s what the mayor [...]
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Who leads the Leader?
Red Herring magazine ran an ad that stated: “Even leaders are led.” It’s a provocative statement. Who or what is leading us? The answer to this question is neither easy nor straightforward. What leads us may not be willed–for example, a person led by a kidnapper. Or what leads us may not be known–for example, [...]
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Leadership and Team Communication: There’s a Place for Us – Somewhere
In the play, West Side Story, Tony sings to Maria: There’s a place for us / Somewhere a place for us / Peace and quiet and open air / Wait for us / Somewhere Intimacy needs such a place. It’s difficult to form and sustain a meaningful relationship in a chaotic, noisy and closed environment. [...]
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Leadership and Team Communication: Small Medium Or Medium Large?
Which communication medium, or media, should a leader use when trying to turn a group into a creative team? The answer: whichever work(s). There is no ideal communication medium. People receive and understand messages through a variety of means. Some people need to be shown information. Some need to hear it. Some need to “feel” [...]
Also posted in Communication, Leadership, Teamwork 1 Comment
Leadership and Team Communication: Do You Have a Minute?
Leaders who uncork the creativity of their teams know that communication is key (see Are You Paying Attention). And the communication that shapes and engages a team takes time, both in terms of duration and frequency. My work at Brilliance Activator deals with leaders who seek to build a shared vision with their teams through [...]
Also posted in Communication, Innovation Strategy, Leadership, Teamwork 1 Comment