Mechanics of Leadership

By John Armstrong | March 28, 2019

  My son went through a very frustrating season with his car not starting. There aren’t many things as deflating as sticking the key in the ignition, and nothing happens. In his case, the problem was intermittent. It would start, and then a day, week, month, or several months later it wouldn’t. On a trip … Read More

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Is Leadership Hidden?

By John Armstrong | November 12, 2017

    Recently I was reading Henry Cloud’s book, 9 Things You Simply Must Do, and came across this great thought. It was such an impactful thought; I had to stop and re-read it a couple of times. Check it out:   “Is gravity hidden? Well, it depends on whether you are flying or falling. … Read More

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The Leadership Habit That Will Add Years to Your Life

By John Armstrong | October 26, 2017

    If there was one key habit that could add two years to your life and didn’t include a gym membership, jog, or work out, how quickly would you sign up?   What if this same habit could reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer’s by 2.5 times?   More importantly, what if this same … Read More

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Sound Bite Leaders

By John Armstrong | November 17, 2016

    We live in a time when posts, tweets, sound bites, slogans, and memes seem to define the substance of our culture and leadership. All of us have just gone through a grueling election cycle that has polarized our country (and the world). No one is pleased with the leadership options we have to … Read More

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The One Leadership Trait that Trumps All Others

By John Armstrong | November 1, 2016

  One of the most famous leadership quotes of all time originated with Harry S. Truman; it goes like this:   “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”   Warren Buffett and his right-hand man at Berkshire Hathaway, Charlie Munger, are two of the richest men in the world and have been … Read More

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The Secret Sauce to Becoming a Great Leader

By John Armstrong | May 9, 2016

  I went through a period in high school where getting into trouble became a team sport for my friends and me. That promptly led to my parents putting me on a friend diet. I’ll never forget my dad telling me who I could NOT hang out with, who I wouldn’t sit next to at … Read More

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Six Ways We Help Our Children Become Leaders

By John Armstrong | February 17, 2016

    Over the years I’ve encouraged and challenged my children using some key phrases. “Be the leader” is one of the top two. I’ve been making this statement with my son, Austin, for at least 10 years, and he has heard me say it a million times to his older brother and sister. As … Read More

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No Comments | Likes 0 | Tags Children, Good Examples, Laws of Leadership, Leaders Learn, Leadership Development, Leadership Learning, Life Coach, Opportunity, Parenting, Student Leadership University

The Leadership Umbrella Principle

By John Armstrong | January 28, 2016

    It’s funny how life teaches great leadership lessons…   My wife and I arrived at my son’s football game, which was going to be played in the pouring rain. So she gets her cute, little, personal umbrella out of the center console of the car thinking we’re all good.   The cute, little, … Read More

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Leadership “half-truths” and Manager “nonsense”

By John Armstrong | January 6, 2016

Recently a leadership “half-truth” and manager “nonsense” statement showed up in my inbox… “Leaders thrive amidst chaos and feel handcuffed by order. Managers are repulsed by chaos and feel empowered by order.” The statement is pretty seductive and it’s both true and false. I respect the man who wrote it and follow him faithfully. In … Read More

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No Comments | Likes 0 | Tags Leader vs Manager, Operations, Strategy

Leadership Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

By John Armstrong | September 14, 2015

  Recently a great friend and I were talking thru an interesting leadership situation. A young leader, in his late 20s, with a successful business, makes a ton of money, lives in a nice house, drives a nice car and isn’t interested in input and can do no wrong. Now, thru a number of situations, is showing … Read More

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