Author Archives

Internal Leadership and Development Consultant at Tenaska and Executive Director Of The Omaha Magical Society.

• Graphic Leadership: Eliminate and Concentrate

  By Dave Arch on June 15, 2013

  

  Great leaders are not “responsibility hoarders.” They seldom take on a new responsibility without eliminating a responsibility they currently have. They are as good at ending things as they are at starting things. My wife sagely said to me “When… Read More ›

• Graphic Leadership: Wishy Washy Words

  By Dave Arch on June 7, 2013

  

  A mature leader has a very finely tuned listening filter for “wishy washy words.” Words like “probably” or “try” seldom make it through that filter without the leader asking, “When you say the word ‘probably,’ what does that mean?” –… Read More ›

• Graphic Leadership: What Happens Next

  By Dave Arch on June 6, 2013

  

  Leaders look ahead.  Only then can they lead their followers into the future they’ve seen.  David Sandler says it this way, “Never do anything without knowing what happens next.” When a leader receives a request for his/her involvement/help, s/he will… Read More ›

• Graphic Leadership: Second Base

  By Dave Arch on June 6, 2013

  “You can’t get to second base with your foot on first” seems like an obvious truth until you start applying it to areas of your life in which you’d really like to grow. Then oftentimes we try to deny its… Read More ›

• Graphic Leadership: Lose Something

  By Dave Arch on June 6, 2013

  

  David Sandler summarized it best when he commented, “You can’t lose something you never had.” The mature leader understands this. The younger leader is busy getting emotionally invested in the outcome of a goal/wish to such an extent that s/he… Read More ›

• Graphic Leadership: Don’t Paint

  By Dave Arch on June 5, 2013

  

  When teaching this leadership principle in a workshop setting, I will oftentimes have every participant draw a picture of a seascape with beach and ocean.  Then I have them show their picture to the person sitting next to them.  Then… Read More ›

• Graphic Leadership: People’s Own Data

  By Dave Arch on June 5, 2013

  

  As soon as the growing leader understands that people don’t tend to argue with their own data, s/he begins to look for more sophisticated ways in which to lead their direct reports.  Telling them what to do begins to appear… Read More ›

• Graphic Leadership: Standing On Your Own Toe

  By Dave Arch on June 4, 2013

  

  When true leaders find themselves in pain, they don’t look around like a victim (see The Drama Triangle poster) to see who they might blame for the plight in which they find himself/herself. Instead a leader seeks to determine what… Read More ›

• Graphic Leadership: Build A Birdcage

  By Dave Arch on June 4, 2013

  

  Leaders don’t wait until they have a bird before they build a birdcage.They know that in contrast to that, the role of a leader is to find the courage, confidence, and conviction to build a birdcage before they know when,… Read More ›

• Graphic Leadership: Leave The Child And Your Mother In The Car

  By Dave Arch on June 3, 2013

  No doubt you’ve heard the voices in your head.  One sounds like the voice of a seven year old with all the fears, doubts, and impulsiveness inherent in a seven year old.  One sounds like the voice of a mother… Read More ›