Josh Linkner's Blog, page 2

If You Want to be a Leader, Start Acting Like One

People are constantly asking me for advice on how to get promoted. They want to move up the ranks at their company, take on more responsibility, and expand their spheres of influence.

While the notion of being a leader seems nice (but possibly far off), you’ve got it backward. It’s not suddenly that you’re anointed as a leader and with that you’re bestowed responsibility — quite the opposite, actually.

If you want to become a leader, start acting like one.

Leadership isn’t about your title, nor ...

An Inside Job

The New Normal. Unprecedented. Great Resignation. Ugh.

We’re all sick and tired of these COVID-inspired buzzwords, and even more frustrated having to actually navigate their implications. With a global reset, people are viewing work and jobs and family and geography very differently than the innocent bygone years of the 2010’s.

As leaders, it’s no small task to adapt to these changing conditions while managing to keep things moving forward in the face of volatility and ambiguity. Business pundit...

Dare to Suck

I’ve long wondered… why do some people consistently generate unforgettable creativity, while others simply never get out of the gate? The research on creativity and imagination is crystal clear: all human beings are capable of creative expression, which shows the problem isn’t natural talent. It’s also fascinating to see someone shine creatively after changing jobs, when they never generated as much as a doodle at their previous gig.

It turns out, the biggest creativity blocker of all is fear. ...

What a Japanese Word Teaches us about Creativity

Those of us who seek – and study – human creativity are besieged with overused tropes. “Think outside the box” and “color outside the lines” are right up there with words like “disruption” in the cliché Hall of Fame. But I recently stumbled on a Japanese word that made my Corporate Lingo Bingo card fall straight to the floor: Datsuzoku.

The term denotes a break from the norm, a respite from routine. It involves exploring new approaches as opposed to complying with the old ones. Here’s a beautifu...

What’s Your Training Schedule?

There’s an old saying among professional boxers: “Champions don’t become champions in the ring; they are merely recognized there.” The implication, of course, is that the hard work of winning happens during an intense training regimen. The blood, sweat, and tears on the gym floor; the relentless planning for every possible scenario; the sacrifice and careful preparation. This is the stuff that ultimately enables victory.

Professional athletes achieve at the highest levels by spending 90% of thei...

Effort vs. Results

Imagine that a loved one is on the operating table in a life-or-death situation. You and your family gather in the waiting room waiting with bated breath for the doctor to communicate the results of this life-saving procedure.

When the surgeon finally arrives, you don’t want to hear about how hard she and her team labored. You don’t want to hear that she “gave it her all” and worked extra long, even cancelling her scheduled tee time. At this moment, trying hard doesn’t matter. You simply need re...

Simulate to Stimulate

Pilots are required to invest hundreds of hours in simulated flight scenarios before taking command of a live aircraft. Race car simulators help drivers prepare for the unexpected, so that they’ll be fully ready for unforeseen circumstances. Astronauts first experience weightlessness in a simulation chamber so they can become accustomed to a gravity-free environment.

Simulations are used by top performing surgeons, symphony conductors, and professional athletes. Attorneys hone their skills in mo...

What Every Leader Wants: Five Undisputed Steps to Getting Promoted Fast and Never Getting Fired

The allure of the corner office has captured the imagination of nearly everyone in the working world. A promotion to the next level – or the level after that – would be a gigantic win, both personally and professionally. You’d be able to create a bigger impact, serve and lead more, and leave your fingerprints on the organization. The extra money and perks could really help out on the family front too, allowing you to better provide for your loved ones.

We all want that brass ring, but don’t alw...

Fear and Creativity Cannot Coexist

As business leaders, we know that innovation is the only way to grow. We demand inventive thinking, but are we creating the right conditions?

It sure would be nice if we could order up a family-size bucket of innovation in the same way we order food from a mobile app delivery service. But human creativity is more nuanced and requires support in order to flourish.

The most innovative leaders and organizations craft a deliberate framework that supports creative output, rather than restricts it....

The Five New Faces Of Leadership

In the context of seemingly endless volatility, the pandemic has led many of us to pause in order to reassess what it really takes to win in this new era of business. What leadership attributes are needed right now to create a sustainable competitive advantage?

In the past, it was enough to be a thoughtful and deliberate manager, executing a plan with precision and accuracy. Today, however, leaders have to embrace a new set of roles and responsibilities to remain relevant and effective. Building...