Two Are Gathered Leadership Podcast

Plausible denialability? What's that? Well...it's a who new entrepreneurial term created and explained here in the Two Are Gathered Leadership Podcast.  What does it mean? First...to be a successful entrepreneur you need to be able to function while often firmly being in a state of "denial". Because, there are too many times when things seem impossible, and you're the only one to carry the vision...

The experience of being an entrepreneur who created something out of nothing and then ultimately climbed the highest mountain of their dreams...it's such a great feeling. But...it's also...SO FRUSTRATING. And, having to manage all of this frustration? It just makes you all the more frustrated.  It's just something they don't teach you in business school. It's even left out of the fine print of tho...

Whether you're a jazz musician, a ballet dancer or even a comedian...you've got to have to perfect timing. The same is true with leadership. The most skilled leaders have perfect timing. This is not a topic you hear discussed in too many business circles, but it may be one of the most important leadership skills to master. Everyday...without fail, you should be asking, "Is this the right time to h...

Most leaders lie on occasion. Some tell little lies. Some tell medium lies. And, then there are those who frequently tell Big Whoppers. Those are usually who you would refer to as failing leaders...maybe even former leaders...because in leadership, your lying always catches up with you. For some, there is a belief you should have lying as one of your advanced leadership skill sets. Let's call it S...

There is one principle in business that always rings true...and it rings like a gong. That is, you're always going to have competition. And, in business there is a competitor we all share in common...and it's a fierce opponent. In just about all cases it's our most challenging foe. It never sleeps, it's unrelenting, it's unforgiving. It's time. Time is our greatest opponent. As a leader, you eithe...

One of the most important traits required to being a successful and transformational leader is often the least discussed. And, that's having an attitude of gratitude. In exploring the key characteristics of a skilled leader, there are many strengths that come easily to mind...ones like vision, fortitude, perseverance and communication.  Yet, employee survey after employee survey affirm that having...

Everybody knew being an entrepreneur wasn't going to be easy...but who knew it would be this tough? Just when you think you're out of the stressful elements of your operation...they pull you back in again! Yet, we're doing this crazy business owning thing because somewhere deep down...really deep down on some days...we love what we do. Why is it that we can so enjoy chasing the dream...but this pu...

Here is the truth when it comes to being an entrepreneur or an organizational founder. Capital matters. But there is something that matters even more. Yes...if you've got the money to invest in your dreams...you'll have a shorter path and easier ride to where you're heading. But, there is something that your money can't buy you as a leader. And, that's the trust of your people.  In fact, no matter...

Most entrepreneurs are NOT free. Many of them have constructed an elaborate prison of their own making. Sadly, in many cases, this prison of their business is not only for them, but for their family as well.  You can see this written on the faces of so many entrepreneurs. The lines in their faces...the concerns in their eyes....the fidgeting of their hands. And, even some of those you would consid...

As business owners, entrepreneurs, inventors and wild-eyed dreamers...we are part of the creative energy of change. Hopefully, this is positive change...sometimes incremental and occasionally revolutionary. But throughout it all, for us to have leadership success...at the fundamental level...we must be BELIEF PEDDLERS. If you don't believe in anything...ain't nobody following you. It's really the...

As leaders, it's important we spend a lot of time in front of the mirror. Not to improve our good looks, but rather to make us stronger leaders. It's about being self-aware. Sadly...there are too few leaders who are self-aware of who they are in their roles and how they are perceived by those who follow them. Many are literally drowning in pools of self-delusion, and the worst part is they have no...

As leaders...we are not in control. It's sad. It can be difficult to deal with this truth. But...as leaders we are not in control. This is one of the areas where leaders fall prey to delusion more than just about anything else. We want to be in control. We want absolute control...because we're control freaks. But, we're not in control. And this creates great frustration and disappointment. We can...

In the pursuit of a grand vision, a noble dream, leaders will always have to face obstacles along the trail to success. Perhaps none greater is having to work with difficult people. You can't be a leader if you're alone on an island. To get where you need to go, you're going to have work with other people. This means you're going to be dealing with teams, with partners, with business associates, w...

Leaders are wild horses by nature. We want to roam the open ranges. Any talk about rules or exercising restraint are conversations we don't really enjoy having. But, we're going to have that important conversation today anyway. In photography, you use polarizing filters to cut down the glare. Much in the same way, professional leaders must also master the process of using filters. It's because not...

My boss is a jerk. These are words that most of us have uttered at least a few times throughout our lifetime. Maybe not out loud. Perhaps just whispered under our breath. And, possibly for the most retrained and upright among us, we've never audibly said those words...but certainly they floated around in our mind. The problem now is, as leaders, that we're the boss...which would make us the jerk....

Somebody has to be the adult around here. So why does it always have to be you? Because you're the leader. It's true. As a leader, you don't get to jump in the puddles, fling yourself off of the swing set and make stuff out of Playdoh like your employees get to do.  You have to be serious. You have to be the responsible one. You have to always pick up the tab. It can be a great burden. Yet, it can...

There exists a species of followers that flat out aren't good at following. And, they aren't good at following because they aren't the least bit interested in following you. They have their own plans, their own initiatives and their own motivations. And, the last thing they have time for...is following you. Why? Because they are cats. They are fellow leaders. They are free spirits with clear minds...

No one wants to follow a weak leader...or even a strong leader who is experiencing an off day. And, if you're a weak leader, or in a moment of weakness, you will take your entire team down with you. But, on any given day, in any particular moment, how do you know if you're being a strong or a weak leader? What if there was an analysis tool out there where you could get plugged into it and it would...

Being an entrepreneur or founder of an organization isn't easy. It's long hours, high expectations and typically slow-to-arrive awards. Obstacles are constantly appearing out of nowhere, and the storms of life seem to camp out on your doorstep. Yet, consistently, probably the most prevalent issue for organizational leaders is this: Fixing The Money Problem. You're running out money, and quickly. T...

The mature entrepreneur knows the tremendous value in being prepared, having your team ready and staying ahead of the schedule. And, being able to deliver what you promised on time and beyond expectations. Yet...there are those times... When things don't quite work out that way. Sometimes they don't work out that way at all. In fact, on occasion, you or someone on your team drops the ball...big ti...

With politics...you only need 51% of your constituents to like you, and the rest, "Who cares?" Yet, in the business world, it's pretty difficult leading an organization when you've got only a slim majority of support. You've got to hope you're garnishing more votes than 51% or it's going to be a tough haul. The challenge is; however, as a leader, sometimes you've got to make decisions that have mu...

In this, the 100th episode of the Two Are Gathered Leadership Podcast, a topic is covered that is worthy of such a significant milestone in the journey. It is something that is seldom discussed in leadership training, books or podcasts, Yet, it's perhaps the most important.  It's the heavy, heavy burden of leadership. The serious and grave responsibilities that few people talk about in regards to...

It's been said that speaking is the highest paid profession in business. But, this isn't necessarily true. Yes. Leaders with the capability to speak before large audiences and in creative and compelling ways have only the sky as their limit in their ability to succeed. But, there is an even more valuable skill set for leaders than speaking. And, that skill is listening. You won't be a good speaker...

For those of us who have been leaders or business owners for any length of time, you are quite aware of this sad truth...and that is, you're going to spend a lot of time at the Leadership Heartbreak Hotel. As entrepreneurs, we're risk takers. This is exactly what we've signed up for. If you're going to reach for glory, you're going have to gamble with your heart. You can't say, "I'm going to put m...

Leadership is about motivation, perseverance, adrenaline, rising above the challenge, reaching a higher level...boldly going where no one has gone before...and then...there are those days... ...when you just don't feel like doing anything. Some of the things that need doing, aren't all that fun to get done. And, your head might be in the gray clouds, in a depressed mindset where nothing is enjoyab...