Tag Archives: David D’Alessandro

Keep It Real, You Big Deal

By Peter Jeff
The Leadership Mints Guy
Here’s an idea to stay grounded in dealing with others. Reading time: 2:56

No matter how high Harry Warner climbed on the corporate ladder –from the pioneering leader in the film industry to the president of Warner Brothers for more than 20 years — Harry Warner never forgot his roots.

In fact he never figuratively slipped out of his old shoes no matter how well-heeled he had become.

Walking along the studio’s streets, Harry Warner would habitually pick up nails he found and pop them in his mouth — just like he did as a boy working in his dad’s shoe-making shop.

Indeed, you are what you are no matter where you are. That’s why the most effective leaders keep it real, especially when they become a big deal.

That’s what Zachary Taylor did. The President of the United States brought his frontier background into the Oval office in 1849. He wore baggy clothes Continue reading

Evaluating Your OPERA-tions : Part I

By Peter Jeff
The Leadership Mints Guy

Here’s an idea to help you strengthen your decision-making. Reading time: 2:48.

The newly-appointed division president came prepared for his first formal meeting with his boss, the chairman of the multi-billion company.

Scene from Phantom of the Opera

Scene from Phantom of the Opera

But the chairman seemed more interested in talking about the opera. Whoa there!

What does an appreciation of the opera have to do with leading a multi-billion company ? Everything.

After all , the word “opera” means work in Italian.

And the production of an opera requires all the facets of corporate work including, people, planning and production.

As Fred Plitkin writes in his book Opera 101: “Opera-going at its best is about the rekindling of the soul, about having an open window into what makes us human.”

Husbanding that humanity — or at least harboring that humanity with a greater sense of feeling — is a key leadership skill. Continue reading