by Tom Okarma | Nov 28, 2012 | Blog, Leadership
“It all starts at the top.” That’s what my wife told me the other day as she inspected the wrapping job I had just finished on a Christmas gift. Apparently, my wrapping job fell short of her expectations. Some of you know my wife and are aware that...
by Tom Okarma | Aug 14, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Leadership
One of a leader’s most important responsibilities to the organization and its staff is the development of subordinates. How do you handle this? Do you give others a chance to grow, to work on something a bit above their pay grade, to struggle with a complex...
by Tom Okarma | Feb 9, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership
Leaders have very little time to set a new tone, to begin installing a new DNA into an organization. The popular take on this is 100 days…give or take. That’s why I really like the way Theo Epstein and his new crew of leaders have literally torn into the Cubs...
by Tom Okarma | Dec 15, 2011 | Blog, Leadership, Strategic Planning
Have you ever had to rebuild a department, ministry, or an entire organization or church? Did you wrestle with how much to structure the process versus letting others handle it? We did. One of our departments had gone through a tough period. An ego-driven leader had...
by Tom Okarma | Nov 16, 2011 | Blog, Governance, Leadership, Strategic Planning
No one can deny that planning is critical to success. While I personally thrive in an organizational culture of creativity and entrepreneurial thinking, eventually, if you want to get things done, you have to have a written plan. Still, planning can be very tedious...
