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Attitude is not Everything. Listen to Batman and Focus on Behavior.

July 19, 2022January 20, 2010 by Alan Feirer

I love this quote from Batman Begins:

“Bruce, deep down you may still be that same great kid you used to be. But it’s not who you are underneath… it’s what you do that defines you.”

As a leader, parent, and trainer, I confess that I cringe when I hear someone try to pump people up with an “attitude is everything” approach.

While it’s helpful to our own motivation to have a great attitude, it is unwise to focus on the “attitudes” of others, especially as a “cure-all”.

Why? Here are some thoughts:

Using the Words “Around Here” Can Help Create a Vibe

December 20, 2009 by Alan Feirer

My first boss was fond of saying this: “Most days, we have fun around here.”

The first time I heard him say this was in my job interview. He followed it up with “…and you can’t say that about most jobs.”

It was my first job, so I took his word for it.

Leadership behaviors in “non-leaders” leads to organizational success.

April 24, 2026December 14, 2009 by Alan Feirer

Recently, I ate breakfast at the Starbucks on 86th in Johnston (Iowa) on my way to a leadership workshop with the Waukee High School Warrior Wrestling program. As I drank my coffee and prepared the workshop, I would occasionally look off into space. You know, to think. But there was a display of funky-cool travel cups … Read more

A leadership paradox: delegation versus modeling

December 1, 2009 by Alan Feirer

In a Group Dynamic workshop, we devote a lot of time to the value of modeling — behaving the way we want members of the team to behave. We also talk about the value of delegation. There are two big benefits to delegation of tasks: