Exkalibur.com

What are you doing to Build a Healthy Team?

As we know, there is no “I” in TEAM, although some have pointed out you can find a “ME” in TEAM, but I’m counting that as cheating. 😉 For the 6th consecutive year, on Friday, May 10, 2019, we’re hosting Leadercast LIVE and this year, you’ll get a chance to see Leadership Champion, Patrick Lencioni….

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What happens when your values are overcome by your ego?

The ongoing college admission bribery scandal reminds us that Fame is an addictive substance that can make us stupid. Its stepchildren are Conceit and Deceit who sit on our shoulder, urging us to hold in contempt the values of integrity and decency we embraced before the narcotic took the wheel. Beware of that flame, my…

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Are you providing candid feedback or avoiding it?

I decided to reignite the power of feedback because providing it … in a candid, thoughtful and direct manner … is something that many leaders avoid like the plague. It’s not that you’re unwilling to give positive feedback or to applaud people’s performance or complement their success. It’s that you know that’s not all of it….

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Are you solving problems or hoping they’ll solve themselves?

These days, It’s axiomatic that you’re overrun with a tsunami of inputs … that stinkin’ email, social media, work demands from above and below, family needs … and the list goes on. One result is that you may have acquired the attention span of a mosquito. You don’t “have time” (read “take time”) to study…

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Quitting’s easy … but the pain of it lasts forever.

Didn’t Mom or Dad say something like, “fall down twice, get up three times? Haven’t we also learned (the hard way) … and most science has confirmed … that pain is more motivating than pleasure? The lesson is simple but when we’re under the greatest stress and duress, it’s good to be reminded. DON’T QUIT!

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Are you accumulating more … or appreciating what you have?

It’s all too easy, isn’t it, for us to pursue the next golden ring without appreciating the one we have … without pausing to make the most of what we’ve achieved? Spend a little more time to enjoy what you’ve earned … what you’ve achieved … and a little less time trying to get more…

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Are you doing the right thing? The wrong thing? Nothing?

We’ve talked about the importance of taking action on many occasions … and in many forms. I’ve been known to follow this mantra … Ready – Aim – Fire … when I realize it’s better to fire at something … “take action” … than to spend too much time aiming. Try it. The worst thing…

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Is there a more important characteristic than attitude?

Throughout my long career, I have never found a better single criterion for a superior performer than their attitude. Have you found a different word that works for you in identifying your best employees? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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ABOUT ME

I am a professional author and speaker as well as a leadership coach facilitating leadership groups among CEOs and senior business leaders in the SF Bay area.

I am the author or more than 125+ newspaper columns published by the SF Bay affiliate of the NY Times among the 550+ articles here. I have also written 3 ebooks about Leadership & Business Finance.

I have been married forever to a beautiful woman and have one spectacular daughter who has dedicated her life to helping children with life-threatening illnesses.

Read more ….

Testimonials

Lary is one of the brightest and most energetic professionals with whom I have ever worked. His skills in dealing with privately held firms and the aggressive and creative solutions made him a valuable asset to any business. ~ F. Bart Smith, President (retired)

Lary has a remarkable ability to provide a clear and thoughtful analysis of the business drivers and potential outcomes facing private companies at each stage of development. His insight has provided a powerful framework for decision-making in many challenging situations. ~ Noah J. Rosenkrantz, CEO

We have a great management team that has built a very successful company. At an important crossroads, we needed more expertise on an expanded list of financial issues than we could provide ourselves. Lary brought that expertise, providing the depth of knowledge and experience that helped us develop and implement a practical solution.~ Gary Imm, CEO (retired)

Lary brings to the table a wealth of real world wisdom and experience that is grounded in an impressive array of C-level and other executive leadership and operational management roles. Over the years I have found Lary's advise and counsel to be invaluable, I think in part because of his dedication and commitment to being of true value to his clients and colleagues. Lary has a well-honed ability to ask the right (and often difficult!) questions, to shed light on the most challenging aspects of your business, to share best practices and to guide you to valuable solutions to consider. I recommend Lary without hesitation. If you are a CEO or senior level executive, working with Lary will no doubt prove to be one of the smartest decisions you will make during your career.~ David Newlin, Managing Partner

Lary has been a tremendous asset to our company. His experience and knowledge provides our young company with the type of financial and business guidance needed to facilitate our continued growth. In addition to Lary's efforts in raising capital for our company, he has assisted Multimedia Live in both extensive business planning, as well as continual ongoing monthly financial and strategy analysis of our business. I have found this to be an invaluable service. ~ Ken Burke, CEO, Multimedia Live, Inc.

In my former position as a tax partner at KPMG, LLP, I worked closely with Lary on the tax aspects of the plethora of business issues that arise in the life cycle of a start up company. It was unusual to see a senior finance person demonstrate a seasoned business acumen in identifying issues and opportunities, grasping the technical issues, resolving obstacles and implementing change. ~ Jeffrey Bergmann, V.P. Worldwide Tax

Lary was an important component in helping us raise our first (over-subscibed) fund at Harbour Group. His doggedness, professionalism, and friendly demeanor helped open doors for what, at the time, was an untested and reasonably new concept. He was a pleasure to work with and remains a friend to this day.~ Ralph Lobdell, Chairman, Tripos, Inc.

I've known and worked with Lary for more than 15 years as a business partner, consulting colleague and adviser and have found that Lary's financial skills and creativity result in high quality results for his clients. I am certain that Lary's strong work ethic, client focus and successful track record bode well for future clients just as they have formed the foundation of a long-term and highly valued relationship for me. ~ Kevin J. Sharps, Director, Financial Services Consulting practice

Lary began advising our company when we were going through some difficult challenges, and now, two years later, we are in a completely different and significantly better place. His advice was specific, direct, and not always what we wanted to hear, and that was invaluable. Lary has been quick to cut through to the heart of an issue. His coaching, prodding, and tough questioning helped us to make changes that truly and measurably have helped both our top and bottom lines. ~ Paul Levitan, CEO

Within a three year period I had two different startups and one acquisition to deal with. Lary's involvement in the projects allowed me to raise substantial amounts of capital on all occasions. He makes even the most monumental task seem effortless. His tireless attention and focus on the project gets things done, done right, and under deadline. ~ Don Meahan, owner and operator of Alaska’s Naknek Anglers, LLC