Mike Figliuolo's Blog, page 3

Give Your Goals a Reality Check

 

Goals can make sense in isolation, but when you add them all up, you may be asking for unrealistic results from your team. Watch out for conflicting goals.

It’s important to reality check your goals. Goals can make sense in isolation, but when you add them all up, you may be asking for unrealistic results from your team. You’ll need to evaluate how department goals impact one another. 

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

The Brighter Way to Solve Problems

The light bulb solution: How noticing and addressing a problem at the appropriate time can increase your organization’s efficiency.

Today’s post is by Ally Edwards of DATIS. This blog was first published in 2015. We’re bringing it back to spotlight a topic that’s still worth revisiting.

Obstacles are inevitable in both the workplace and in daily life. The way that people approach and manage situations can reveal a lot about their character and work ethic.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

When a high performer who works for you is actively positioning themselves to assume your role, how do you handle them?

Our reader poll today asks: When a high performer who works for you is actively positioning themselves to assume your role, how do you handle them?

I try to stretch myself into a larger role to make room for them 56.53%I look for similar roles for them elsewhere in the company 27.05%I try to slow them down and manage their expectations that they’re not ready for my role 9.66%I add more work to their plate because clearly they’re not busy enough 6.76%I actively discourage their pursuit of my role 0.00%

Use their growth for your growth.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

Beyond The Bounce Back: 5 Tips For Evolving Through Adversity

 

Resilience is a teachable, measurable and scalable capability. Leaders can implement these practices today to navigate complexity and lead with clarity and courage.

Today’s post is by Maureen Metcalf, thougthtLEADERS principal and CEO of Innovative Leadership Institute.

This article was originally published in Forbes Coaches Council on July 22, 2025. by Forbes. You can read the original article here.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

Nature as Coach: The 4.5-Billion-Year-Old Leadership Expert Right Outside Your Window

 

Nature offers 4.5 billion years of leadership wisdom. Learn regenerative principles from forests, oceans & ecosystems to build resilient organizations.

Today’s post is by Dr. Kathleen Allen, author of Leading from the Roots: Nature-inspired Leadership Lessons for Today’s World.

What if the best leadership coach wasn’t found in an office or consulting firm, but in the world outside? What if a mentor with 4.5 billion years of experience in regenerative systems were available to you now?

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

How do you deal with a vendor whose final invoice is substantially higher than their initial estimate?

Our reader poll today asks: How do you deal with a vendor whose final invoice is substantially higher than their initial estimate?

I just pay the invoice 3.22%I negotiate with them to get the final price down a bit 34.41%I offer to split the difference between the estimate and final bill 6.42%I offer to pay slightly more than the initial estimate 8.71%I hold them to the initial estimate they provided 47.24%

Holding them to the estimate.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

Do You Set Stretch Goals?

A commit goal gives your team a clear target to aim for, while a stretch goal gives your team an incentive to go above and beyond. 

A goal setting technique designed to provide predictability and generate excitement and upside potential is setting commit and stretch goals. The commit goal is a promise of what will be delivered. It’s non-negotiable. Missing it has big consequences. The stretch goal is something for the team to aspire to. 

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

The 16th Century Word That Gives You a Strategic Advantage

By changing the way you approach stakeholder interests, you can drive better performance. Instead of using a sequential and conflict-driven approach, you can take a different tack that promotes harmony and collaboration.

Today’s post is by Nancy Falls, author of Corporate Concinnity in the Boardroom: 10 Imperatives To Drive High Performing Companies.

The year was 1531. It was the beginning of what is known as the Age of Discovery.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

Which approach best describes what drives action in your company?

Our reader poll today asks: Which approach best describes what drives action in your company?

Finances determine which actions we should take and business outcomes are the result 55.00%The market environment dictates which business actions to take and finances are the result 45.00%

Beware of numbers driving strategy. A very common strategy mistake I see companies make is letting their financial results dictate their strategy.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

Define Your Supporting Goals

Take a big goal for your department or your business unit and think about the support teams that contribute to hitting that goal.

It’s easy to focus on big departmental goals, but not everyone on the team can directly affect those numbers. Setting goals for supporting functions helps link people’s roles and the work they do every day to that broader departmental goal.

To do this, it requires you to break those big goals down into component parts. 

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.