Accountable Leaders & Teams Resources

It is no secret that your people are instrumental to the success of your business. In order to have a great company, you not only have to..

Max DePree noted, “Management has a lot to do with answers. Leadership is a function of questions, and the first question for a leader..

In today’s rapidly changing work environment, the competition for recruiting and retaining top talent has never been tougher. Rhythm..

At Rhythm Systems, we are all about helping companies and teams achieve their dreams and goals. 

We have the right systems and skills to..

“Time is an inelastic resource. No matter how high the demand, we cannot rent, hire or buy more of it.”-Peter Drucker

A Quick Note: This is..

One of the things I have to do as a business consultant is to be a great listener. This is a key leadership and communication skill for..

It’s time to slow down and develop a world-class team execution plan for next year. When we don’t slow down to plan our execution, our..

What is a skip-level meeting?

As defined in an article by Jared Lewis, "In a skip-level meeting, upper-level management bypasses mid-level..

Most companies these days are actively striving to engage more employees… and most think of engagement as a willingness to go above and..

From a leadership perspective, there’s a real thirst for increasing leadership accountability. Executives have recently asked me various..

Payroll is one of the most important investments a company can make. It's the lifeblood of a business, but it's also an area that can be..

How many leaders think about themselves as corporate athletes? How many of us spend time sharpening our saw, as Stephen Covey taught? How..

My last blog, 6 Excuses for Avoiding an Executive Coach (and Why You Should Think Again) talked about all the negative internal chatter..

After recently reviewing thousand of Annual Plans and Quarterly Plans, I can say without a doubt that improving employee engagement seems..

Organizational performance is an essential aspect of any business. Being a growing business is great for attracting and keeping talented..

I have made it a priority to be a lifelong learner which aligns well with one of our company’s core values of “Keep Smart.” As an employee,..

Rhythm Systems is proud to announce the release of its newest white paper, "The Unbeatable Return  on Payroll of Engaged Employees,"..

Accountability can be a scary word. For many, it sounds punitive - and that’s because most of us associate “accountability” with..

Topgrading is a methodology of recruiting, interviewing, selecting and retaining top talent developed by Brad Smart and Geoff Smart..

Financial rewards are just the beginning of what keeps employees active in their job role. Another, more overlooked factor, is job..

As a leader with decades in the business, I attended the Galliard Group National Gathering, where I had the privilege of spending two days..

This happens all the time. You are holding someone accountable to get something done. Yet you find yourself checking in and chasing for an..

According to Gallup, only about half of workers in companies worldwide “strongly agree that they know what is expected of them at work.”..

For many companies, the idea of the monthly leadership meeting can feel like a burden in an already overly scheduled calendar. Why is this..

When I was in college, one of my professors pulled me aside after class and said, “You have great ideas, but when you present them to the..

Goal setting is both a skill and an art. Whether you are new to the goal-setting game, or a seasoned pro, there is always room for..

With the emphasis on core subjects in budget crunched public schools, art programs are being asked to pack their paint brushes and go...

Job Scorecards (or employee scorecards) have been a hot topic recently. Many companies are looking for a way to provide more constant and..

Two key concepts in manufacturing that often get misconstrued or even used synonymously are manufacturing productivity and manufacturing ..

How much did misalignment cost your organization last year? Misalignment comes from poor planning, and it results in poor execution and..

The Level 5 Leadership Stage is Set…

Have you ever had this "strange" feeling that you just couldn’t shake? I recently went through that...

Effective listening is a key attribute for leaders (and for people in general). If you are a manager, this skill can help you unlock the..

CEOs spend their days working long hours, managing employees, and dealing with shareholders. They don’t have much time to focus on their..

What does it take to become a successful new middle market C.E.O.?

As the dust settles on the Annual Planning season, many mid market CEOs now face the challenge of how to achieve and maintain alignment to..

Alignment can be elusive for even the smallest start-up companies, never mind mid-market companies that have multiple divisions,..

I recently read Dr. Steve Sjuggerud’s investment newsletter where he stated:

“It made me feel a bit like Tom Brady in the playoffs..

Over the past couple of years, many work environments have often felt like a real-life game of Would You Rather - but with no great..

At Rhythm Systems, our CEO, Patrick Thean, is fond of the saying, "The fish rots from the head down." When you are thinking about your..

As a leader, you probably know that it is important to recognize your team members. However, research shows that there is a disconnect in..

I grew up in a manufacturing family. My grandmother had her own manufacturing company, and my father was a partner in a local manufacturing..

Many successful mid-market companies have cracked the hiring code. Perhaps you use a hiring method like Topgrading to ensure that you bring..

On my flights to see clients, I always pick up a business magazine to read. It’s something that can spur an insight when I face a..

If you have ever downloaded any tools or other resources on our site, you know that we usually ask you about your Biggest Business..

According to Gallup, “in their search for new ideas and approaches, organizations could be overlooking one of the most easily executed..

If you’re a hiring manager at your organization, chances are that you have had a couple of new hires that haven’t worked out the way that..

In working with middle market CEOs and their employees and they often wonder about their employee productivity and professional..

In order to live our Core Value to Keep Smart, our team does company-wide training each year (in addition to the department-specific..

One of the top 10 moments of my life was the Predictable Results book launch party at our Breakthrough Conference last October. To sweeten..

In a study by McKinsey & Company, management development at all levels has been ranked as a #1 priority by 500 executives, and..

At Rhythm Systems, we are so excited to be hosting our annual Breakthrough Conference right here in our hometown! From the beautiful..

We are thrilled to host our Annual Breakthrough Conference once again in Charlotte, NC, May 4th-5th 2022, at the Charlotte Marriott City..

The trouble with accountability is that, well, you have to live it. Patrick Lencioni writes; “Once we achieve clarity and buy-in, it is..

In a recent client conversation, a CEO said to me, “He’s really (really) smart, but it’s just hard to hold him accountable. On top of that,..

At Rhythm Systems, I have had the opportunity to work on several exciting cross-functional projects to help our company move forward. I’ve..

If you are a CEO or founder, you’ve likely gotten where you are today because of your ideas - you are probably passionate about your..

When things aren’t going right and your business is in a slump, most people look to new ideas, adjust their KPIs (key performance indicators

The greatest athletes and business leaders in the world have coaches. No matter how good you are,  and you are probably really good, there..

Managing the daily, weekly, and monthly workload is a challenge for team members and leaders alike, but in very different ways. Teams have..

We read a lot these days about strategic leadership and tactical leadership (as we should). Leaders find themselves up against a multitude..

If you read our blog often, you know that we frequently recommend using a Job Scorecard (often called an employee scorecard)- we find this..

History is the ultimate reality TV show; it's getting a first-hand view of people's bad decisions, conflicts, trials, and successes. We can..

Managing a remote team is challenging, even in the best of times. In our current environment, it is really tough to keep the team engaged,..

Many of us believe in a false dichotomy about negotiations: either you have to be really tough, or you’re a pushover. Recently, our Rhythm..

Whether you are an executive team member, a department leader, or a member of the team, the role you play in the company is unique and..

Blog written by Guest Blogger, Eskinder Assefa

One of the toughest challenges CEOs face is finding effective ways to align teams and keep..

I recently spoke to a great group of organizational leaders at the Rhythm Systems Breakthrough Conference in Charlotte, NC. The session was 

Most clients I’ve worked with say they understand the key role accountability plays in making a company operate more efficiently (and..

Do you spend more money on going away parties when someone leaves the company than you do welcome parties when someone joins?  This was a..

Most of us just don’t like to have hard accountability conversations. Conversations in which you need someone to hear you can be tough for..

"How do I become a highly effective manager? To answer that question, let’s climb out of the crevices of the 'day to day' so we can see..

“Remember that failure is greatness waiting to happen” - Robin Sharma

Even though I know that we all make mistakes, I still hate making..

"The leader of the past was a person who knew how to tell. The leader of the future will be a person who knows how to ask.” - Peter Drucker

When strong emotions, high stakes and opposing opinions collide, it can be explosive and, potentially damaging to results or a..

When things aren’t going right and business is in a slump, most people look to new ideas, adjust their KPIs (key performance indicators) or..

For many, it's time to roll out those 2021 plans and kick off some new initiatives to help your company build back or accelerate growth in..

It’s fairly understood that great leaders don’t lead processes; they lead people. You’re probably aware, too, that great bosses have truly..

In my last blog, “Lack of Accountability is Costing You,” I reviewed the expense that accompanies the lack of accountability. As I noted at..

We’ve known for a while that an increase in remote work was coming, and the pandemic has accelerated this trend. Many workers are eager to..

Learn as much as you can to energize yourself and bring your best to the business!

I am a big fan of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates (even..

To give your business an edge against the competition in 2019, you might be considering some ways to level yourself up in the process...

There are two main reasons that entrepreneurs fail to grow their business and maintain a healthy personal life. Dr. Ollie Malone, author of

Holding people accountable can be a chore for most leaders building an accountability culture. For a multitude of reasons, it’s simply not..

As a member of your company’s executive team, you have a lot on your plate. And, particularly in middle market companies, C-suite..

For many, our current environment is more distracting than any other time in our work lives. With a pandemic raging, a U.S. election..

Many leaders and team members have found the stay-at-home orders draining—and prolonged weeks of this inherently stressful situation can..

Written by Meredith Wood, Editor-in-Chief of Fundera

As the CEO, you’ve either started and cultivated your own company, or worked hard to..

I recently blogged that being a great coach requires that you know which hat you’re wearing the very moment you engage with a team member...

As an Executive Coach, it’s my job to know you in terms of your leadership strengths and your leadership skills. Both are imperative to..

Someone asked me recently to explain what business coaching is, and I realized there’s not one simple answer. It means different things to..

Getting and staying aligned with your team is a challenge even when you are all in the same office. When everyone is remote or working from..

I love what I do for a living. I meet the most incredible people who are building amazing companies. Most recently, I was sharing this..

With the pandemic disrupting expectations for projects and revenue goals for many this year, it's no surprise that a major focus for this..

Many people wonder and worry about whether or not they are doing a good job and if their boss is happy with their work. It is one of the..

The famous mountain climber, Phil Powers, said it best during an interview on NPR’s "This I Believe” segment: “Concentrating on how I move..

Sometimes, you just have to slow down to speed up.

Communication Leads to Better Connectivity and Team Accountability

Communication is a..

A little peek behind the proverbial curtain for you: I have a digital notebook (I use Evernote) where I capture blog ideas as they come to..

 If you have ever downloaded any tools or other resources on our site, you know that we usually ask you about your Biggest Business..

Like many others, I’ve spent the last few weeks working from home which includes splitting up homeschooling and childcare responsibilities..

If you believe the adage, ‘time is money,’ then you’re saying that the concept of time (and the elapse  of that time) costs you and your..

Many companies are re-tooling and finding the best ways to remain connected and productive in a remote work environment in the work from..

“Calamity is the test of integrity.” – Samuel Richardson

Never are the Five Characteristics of Great Leaders more relevant than when..

If you read our blog often, you know that we are fans of Topgrading, and we frequently talk about hiring and developing A Players. In a ..

2021 will be the first year of remote working being the international standard: not just an option for many professionals, but actually the

How an employee moves through the ranks and advances in a company usually starts with them being an exceptional entry-level employee. The..

Why don’t they just do what they are supposed to do?

How is it possible that my people keep letting me down?

I wish they would just hold..

The purpose of having Job Scorecards in place at your company is to help avoid costly pitfalls. Inevitably, when I speak with CEOs who are..

We've all heard it... "Why doesn't Jane just do what I've asked her to do!?" or "How can I hold Tom accountable?" Chances are, if you lead..

In 1998 I was traveling on I-95, just south of Cocoa Beach, Florida, where brush fires burned along the highway. When I arrived in Fort..

Over the last year, Rhythm Systems team members have really focused on the importance of process improvements. How do we do our jobs..

At Rhythm Systems, we specialize in helping middle market companies achieve their dreams and goals. We believe that we can make a big..

One of our manufacturing clients came to us originally with a very interesting problem. Everyone on the shop floor was doing a tremendous..

Employee engagement for remote workers is a huge topic in the market today, especially with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) limiting travel and..

One of the best parts of our annual Breakthrough Conference is getting our Rhythm community together to live our core values of Keep Smart,..

In March, when many teams moved to work from home for the first time, I heard a lot of questions from clients about how to know if their..

Our first-ever virtual Breakthrough Conference is just a few weeks away! Here's a sneak peek so you know what to expect from this..

I have two small children sleeping quietly (for once) as I write this a little before 6 am. While the COVID-19 crisis has been hard for..

2020 has been a disastrous year in general, and the business world has certainly suffered major losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic:..

This Saturday, my aunt will be buried. She's the last of my dad's generation for my family. She passed due to complications of cancer, and..

Blog written by Guest Blogger, Eskinder Assefa

Many leaders find personal accountability comes naturally - often, it is a muscle they have strengthened  significantly through years of..

Leadership development is a growing concern for middle market companies. Growing your leaders is a challenge - whether you are succession..

We talk a lot about plans - annual plans, quarterly plans, team plans, project plans. But what’s your plan for the next 90 days? What are..

As leadership guru Jim Collins tells us, organizations go from good to great when personalities step aside and let purpose become the..

As head of training at Rhythm Systems, I’ve had a busy year creating all the training content to accompany our latest software release -..

An acquaintance of mine has recently undergone a merger at her corporation. As a mid-level employee, she knew it was coming; her company..

90,000 hours—that’s how long an average person spends at work over the course of a lifetime, according to a study cited in Business Insider.

As the COVID-19 news unfolds and more people are staying in (check out www.cdc.gov/covid-19 for the latest accurate information), some of..

If you are like me, your inbox is full of COVID-19 response letters from every vendor, doctor, airline, restaurant or business of any kind..

For many managers, leading a remote team is something new. After a few months, you’ve probably worked out many of the technical issues and..

Let’s imagine you are going into your quarterly performance review, armed with all the great results you’ve achieved over the last 90 days...

Rework is such a pain and such a waste of resources. It costs you time, energy and emotional distress. Nobody likes to clean up their..

Whether it is trying to figure out how to do more with less, frantically converting in-person business to a virtual model, working to save..

Working from home can certainly be a challenge. I've been working from home for the last 12 years, and over those years, I learned a key to..

CEOs and business leaders frequently ask me why their corporate strategies for the year falter or just don’t happen. “It’s like no one is..

How can I better source ideas from employees, even when they are working from home?

When looking for new ideas, some large organizations..

With the recent spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) more and more people are being asked to work from home.  Today’s business landscape..

On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. stood before a crowd of close to 250,000 thousand people and delivered one of the most..

At Rhythm Systems, some of our team works in the office, but most of us work remotely. As an office worker with the flexibility to work..

Effective communication is a key leadership trait and one of the 5 Cs of team accountability, and in today’s world, a lot of that..

My husband used to coach a 3- and 4-year-old soccer team (the “Gorillas”) at our neighborhood YMCA. If you’ve never watched toddlers play..

Synergy is an often overused term, although incredibly effective when actually achieved. Merriam-Webster defines synergy as "a mutually..

This blog was written by guest blogger, Jonathan Herps

Did you have a New Year’s Resolution this year? Any new habits you were trying to develop? How are those new habits coming along? We’re a..

For many team leaders, it can be hard to keep a pulse on what’s happening in your team, especially if your company has remote workers or..

Focus. Sounds good, right? It may sound easy enough, but I’ve seen over and over again that people, companies and teams with the best of..

We have all heard the saying "A fish rots from the head down," right? Not that I am comparing my CEO friends to fish, but it does drive the..

In my last leadership problems post, I began exploring the question of how to help your people master the skill of problem-solving. While..

There was a pause in his verbal stride as we talked. It was an awkward pause, which is why it caught my attention. As I looked at him, I..

In the past year, employee engagement has been a hot topic: how to encourage employees, how to measure it, and why it's important. Not so..

If ROI matters to you, then you might consider “cuddling up” to the power of your company’s culture. I say this, of course, a bit..

Recently we held a webinar with VitalSmarts on Crucial Conversations in the workplace. I learned a lot from both Patrick and Chase. I..

The question of how to grow an environment of accountability is a common one.

All leaders are faced with the realization that when you manage a team, you're not just an individual contributor anymore. The great work..

We had a wonderful Breakthrough Conference this year that helped hundreds of middle market managers and CEOs achieve breakthrough..

The key question relative to becoming an accountable leader is this: How do you turn an aspiration into a reality?

At a recent Rhythm..

Leadership is complex. There are countless books and decades of research on the topic, and you can work for a whole lifetime and never..

As noted in my prior blog, “To Assess Productivity & Engagement, Ask: Who Really Owns Your Company?,” if you want to increase productivity,..

When I was in college, I took a course called “The Meaning of Work” and enrolled in a corresponding internship program following the..

I am often asked about the impact of leaders on a company’s strategy execution. Sometimes we have process and execution problems. But just..

In many fast-growing mid-market companies, departments and teams do their work with little time or effort spent communicating with other..

I must admit, I’m an enthusiast for developing emotional intelligence. It’s one of the reasons I became a certified facilitator for EQ-i...

At Rhythm Systems, we teach our clients to grow their businesses with purpose using our Think Plan Do^® methodology.  We believe the best..

As a leader, I’ve sometimes felt like a nut – nutty ideas, feedback that indicates I’m crazy, looks from others that could … well, you get..

Despite the myth that doing something for 21 days in a row is all it takes to establish a new habit, according to scientific evidence, it..

When I say “culture,” some of you probably get that glazed over look; many may think I’ve slipped into meaningless consultant jargon or..

When asked what’s needed most in today’s workforce, many leaders will list a cadre of characteristics. But the one characteristic that..

You probably hear it all the time: “But things are going just fine! Why do we have to start doing that!?” Or even better: “But we’ve always..

If we think about it, ‘excellence’ or being ‘great’ at anything is truly a lifelong endeavor. Whether striving to become one of the..

Imagine the circular conversation in your workplace. The movie you’ve seen before, where you know the outcome, and can predict that there..

It’s happened to all of us. We start a new project or set a new goal with the best intentions. Everyone’s excited to get started working,..

One of the biggest draws to being part of the Rhythm Systems team is the way our Core Values are ingrained in each team member and..

At our annual Rhythm Systems Breakthrough Conference in Charlotte, we had the opportunity to survey our audience of over 150 mid-market..

“It’s like Christmas!” Our Head of Consulting, Chris Cosper, practically gushed as our team gathered on the day before our 5th annual ..

It was 6:30 pm on a summer evening. Since I had agreed that my youngest son could go out with friends only after the grass had been cut, I..

Keeping track of all of the demands on our time can be a real challenge. Unfortunately, we can’t create more time in the day, but there are..

At Rhythm Systems, our core purpose is helping organizations and individuals achieve their dreams and goals. We have a software platform..

At Rhythm Systems, our core purpose is helping individuals and organizations achieve their dreams and goals. This year, we had the..

If you want to set compelling and achievable goals for yourself, your teams and your company, drop everything and invent a time machine...

A current executive coachee from one of the three big food distribution companies recently shared with me that one of his colleagues asked..

Anyone who has ever had to work in a freezing office, gotten stuck doing a conference call from a busy airport or coffee shop, or sat at a..

Our team recently completed a leadership development training on the “7 Habits of Managers.” The material is based on Stephen R. Covey’s..

“Innovation is the key to success.”

“If you’re not growing, you’re dying.”

“You must create a culture of continuous improvement.”

Here are..

Stephen R. Covey's #1 Habit of Effective People is Be Proactive. Sounds easy, right? As a mom, I can pull anything out of my purse at a..

Like many great business learnings, it began with glass of wine. I had a business manager named Jim who was experiencing employee problems,..

I love organizational diagnostics. It’s probably one of my favorite things to do because I love getting to root causes instead of merely..

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.” - Lao Tzu

I think this quote sets the stage.  I believe I have taken..

If you’ve gone through the exercise of determining your company’s core values, you’ve spent a lot of time (and a lot of meetings) thinking..

I recently heard Charles Duhigg, author of the best seller The Power of Habit, speak about the science behind his book. It’s really..

If уоu aspire to be in a position of leadership (or even if you already are a leader), thеn understand thаt a leader knоwѕ hоw tо lead аnd..

Everywhere I looked around the office, people were dashing, working feverishly, heads down, eyes glued to screens. It was like watching a..

Someone recently said to me (very enthusiastically), “Women make better leaders!” I stood there in a circle of leaders (men and women) and..

Most leaders intellectually understand the importance of creating an empowered team. They can see the upside of being called upon less..

Isn’t it funny how quickly our workload can change? One day we’re doing fine, managing our daily tasks, making progress on our priorities..

This time of year, I start getting a lot of vacation out of office messages. It’s harder to schedule meetings with most clients, and you..

In an effort to Keep Smart — which is one of our Core Values here at Rhythm Systems — I recently attended a workshop on "Personal..

I debated calling this blog Stage Secrets of Great Communicators only to then argue with myself that the stage for you could be the floor..

A strong company culture is not a nice to have—it's a need to have. Your company's culture touches every part of your business, so don't be..

Vulnerability is the secret to fixing your Company’s accountability issues. 

It’s a bold statement, but after watching Brené Brown: A Call..

If you research “healthy work-life balance tips” (or frankly any hot topic), you’ll see a line item in there about the millennial's view..

"Spectacular keynote speeches, incredibly, relevant, informative breakout sessions. Thank you!"

“Loved the human element of business that..

"Ultimately, leadership is the ability to thrive in the ambiguity of paradoxes and opposites.” - Brené Brown, Dare to Lead

I have a yoga..

I recently wrote about how leadership is a balancing act. The more I think about it, life is a balancing act. We are all faced with..

Change is accelerating, competition is stiff, and employee engagement is measurably low. How can you possibly make headway in a growing..

Why does team accountability matter? Accountability is the foundation for performance, and without performance, you will not see results...

Over twenty years ago I worked with one of the top pizza chains in the world. They had several processes in place to manage growth,..

Written by Guest Blogger James Daily

Some teams are highly successful; others are abject failures; some are just mediocre. And there has..

Traditional business wisdom dictates that you need a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) for your  team members when they are not performing..

Imagine being born in 1997. You’ve never known a world without smartphones, and you’ve probably never used a paper map for directions,..

According to PMI’s 2017 Global Project Management Survey, 1 in 4 strategic initiatives fail. This is not great news for anyone who recently..

Sean K., one of our lucky Valentine's contest winners, asked, "What are the Top 3 characteristics of the companies you work with or study..

Do you put off minor to-dos until they build up and become absolutely urgent? Why do we do this to ourselves, and how can we..

In working with many leading mid-market CEOs and their executive leadership teams on their growth strategies, I often ask these leaders..

Written by Graham Couling of www.braindropsmarketing.com Graham Couling is a marketing manager and consultant that specializes in current..

According to an article in Harvard Business Review, "The brutal fact is that about 70% of all change initiatives fail." There are lots of..

Bringing Rhythm into your organization can be a big change. However, it’s the first step on an exciting journey that will help you and your..

Iѕ уоur corporate сulturе роѕіtіvе or is it сut-thrоаt?

Cоmраnу culture іѕ оnе of thоѕе thіngѕ thаt just еvоlvеѕ organically... rіght? Not..

Here at Rhythm Systems, we are very blessed to have almost 10,000 blog subscribers, 10+ regular contributors, and many amazing readers who..

CEOs are being pulled in a million different directions by several important constituencies. They have to answer to direct reports,..

We are proud to announce that Retail TouchPoints recently featured two of our long-time clients, Simms Fishing Products, and luxury..

My youngest son was eight years old and played for the church basketball team. You may know the routine, practice once a week and play once..

Herbie the Elf is a self-proclaimed "misfit." Not happy in his work, he feels like he just "doesn't fit in" with the other elves making..

There can often be a misconception that a person working 100 hours a week is more successful than a peer logging half those hours. That’s..

Leaders often self-impose what used to be good habits at a bad time. What I mean is that they continue doing the things they did with 5..

A Core Value that resonates strongly at Rhythm Systems is "Be Appreciative." That's why an episode of Hurry Slowly, a podcast about pacing..

Most of our successful mid-market clients have no shortage of great ideas. The constraint lies with the time and resources to get it all..

CEOs are constantly being pulled in a million directions - they have shareholders, partners, investors, employees, customers, industry..

My previous blog shared about how people issues might be mistaken for execution issues. There are a number of reasons why it is difficult..

Where should we go to dinner? What time are you waking up? Where do you want to go on vacation? Are you going to the gym before..

If you’re from southeastern USA, you know full well how delicious a hot Krispy Kreme doughnut can be. The anticipation of that sweet savory..

You go to your doctor every year for a physical, but you rarely do this for your business. As you prepare your team for Annual Planning,..

I like to think of myself as a highly organized and productive person, and I like reading about and experimenting with tips and methods for..

During World War II, a Chief Petty Officer of the Royal Navy was called on by his Captain of the HMS Stork to explain why their ship..

“Having a great idea or being a charismatic visionary leader is ‘time telling’; building a company that can prosper far beyond the presence..

Around this time every year, our clients in Europe take about a month off - and these are serious people with serious companies. Here in..

“A good plan executed right now is far better than a perfect plan next week.” - George S. Patton

Patton had it right. An executive pattern..

While a lot of companies say that employees are their most valuable assets, not all walk the walk. It takes a lot of time and effort to ..

The best advice I was given before my boys reached their teenage years with wild emotional swings was "don't ride the roller coaster with..

Fast growth companies deal with more and more customers – it’s implied in growth. Having more and more customers increases the risk that ..

According to a recent study from the National Center for the Middle Market and the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, "Nearly four out..

As a leader, your job will inevitably entail having to initiate some tough discussions. If you want to build an accountable team, one of..

Storytelling may seem like an old-fashioned tool, today — and it is. That’s exactly what makes it so powerful. Life happens in the..

I was pleasantly surprised and wonderfully rewarded by the success of launching our new book, Predictable Results. I find it curious that..

People ask me all the time, "What is so special about Rhythm? Why do your customers have so much success?" I jokingly reply, "I don’t know,..

No matter who they are or what they're doing, every person and organization experiences problems, difficulties, unexpected reversals and..

When rolling out a new process, it’s best to start with a core group of champions who will help integrate the system into existing..

In their open letter to business leaders, Amy Edmondson (Harvard Business School) and Bror Saxberg (learning engineer at the Chan..

In my last blog, I shared Steve Hoffa from Alpha Guardian’s tips in 5 COO Insights to Keep Your Acquisitions Alive, which described a..

At each business stage, leaders face new challenges and complexity. The Herculean effort to launch and grow a business to $1m revenue is..

“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection, will come even more effective action.” - Peter Drucker

..

At Rhythm Systems, one of our core values is Keep Smart; we are a team of voracious learners. But, it can be difficult to keep up with..

I joined Rhythm Systems as Client Services Manager back in September of last year, and I have to say, my first day stood out as..

“Goliath had as much chance against David as any Bronze Age warrior with a sword would have had against an opponent armed with a .45..

As we head into the end of the year, many leaders are gearing up for more than just Annual Planning and holiday celebrations - many are..

 We are rapidly approaching the most wonderful - and busy - time of year. With the holidays and end of year deadlines looming around the..

It’s that time of year to create a winning plan for next year. As part of the Annual Planning process, you will be reviewing last year’s..

We’ve all been in one of those meetings or corporate retreats where “team building” was on the agenda, Teamworkand everyone cringed...

I recently had the pleasure of hearing Tom Hoff, Gallup's Southeast business development leader, speak on employee engagement. He shared..

We’ve been busy preparing for our Breakthrough Conference in Charlotte, working on keynotes, topics, and materials that would help leaders..

The first day of school is one of the most exciting and anxious days for teachers. You greet about 100 fresh young faces that are excited,..

Bloomberg recently published an article touting the benefits of “Summer Fridays” - “It’s a cheap and easy way to keep employees happy,..

Recently, our team sat down with our some of our panelists for our Women In Leadership breakfast at the upcoming Breakthrough Conference. I..

Earlier this year, we partnered with our friends at VitalSmarts on a webinar about the cost of failing to voice concerns in the workplace...

We have all heard for years how women and men experience life differently. Recently, the discussion has shifted more toward how women and..

In a previous job, I used to come into work every day with no clue what I was going to work on. There would be some days where the whole..

“I’m tired of all this ‘employee engagement’ stuff. We hire people to do a job, so why can’t they just do it!” 

“People keep telling me to..

In all the brow-beat talk about “those high maintenance Millennials!,” we might consider shifting the conversation. What may well be needed..

"Almost four in ten businesses in G7 countries have no women in senior management positions," according to Forbes. 

I am very lucky to work..

What do professional painters, singers, leaders, negotiators, and, in fact, most professionals have in common? They practice with multiple..

It's that time of the year where the office starts clearing out, and everyone starts going on vacations. While the office is quiet, your..

When working with clients, I commonly hear things like, “I’d really like to get out of my office and talk to my team, but there just isn’t..

I recently read about a museum of failure, a new exhibition. The Museum of Failure is located in Sweden and showcases high-profile product..

According to an article I read recently, "People in their late twenties and early thirties are more unhappy about their work-life balance..

Life’s changing and it’s changing fast. What’s important is what the changes will mean to your organization and how well you can cope with..

Gallup recently released the newest version of the State of the American Workplace Report. If you aren’t familiar with this report, it is..

There has been a lot of talk lately about how disengaged employees are in the American workplace. Everyone has been talking about how do..

No matter your spiritual beliefs, there is no denying that great preachers have a large number of followers. I’ve found that the same is..

Millennial women are burning out fast in the corporate world, and it is not just due to childcare. According to Fast Company, "As only 11%..

Leaders can plan their day meticulously, but then fires erupt or a team member reaches out and all focus is lost. When the true response to..

As an employee (or boss), you can be proactive in clarifying roles and expectations – making you happier in your job and improving..

There is a shift in the workforce, and it's not from the much-maligned millennials.

According to a recent New York Times article, "Nearly..

Our guest blogger today is Howard Cox, CPA, CMA, CIA. Launching his career with a Big Four firm in 1983, Howard established his own..

What do you hear at work? Talking? Laughter? What do you see? Is your team bouncing from desk to desk, chatting in the hallway, smiling at..

Your job is important - it's where you spend most of your waking hours. So when the Australian National University recently released a study

I will never forget this moment. I leave work a few minutes early to rush to daycare and pick up my then 13-month-old daughter to take her..

It’s the end of day two of planning, you and your executive team are spent from all of the discussions, bloated from all of the carb-loaded..

In a recent post, Cindy outlined the shocking statistics on workplace silence that we learned in a recent webinar we co-hosted with..

Recently, I have been running into the term intrapreneur over and over again on LinkedIn. So, I decided to educate myself and see what all..

As a consultant, I get the chance to walk into many offices just like yours. I meet team members just like your team members. And..

Most of you have probably wrapped up your Annual Planning sessions and feel prepared for 2017. You have the best 3-5 initiatives to move..

Recently, we held a webinar with VitalSmarts about Crucial Conversations and its effect in the workplace. I was astonished to learn about..

At Rhythm Systems, we are huge fans of a simple tool called the Job Scorecard. It can be used in so many extremely valuable ways to help..

I bet you recall with great clarity the time that you had good intent yet got negative results. Forget that you meant to be helpful,..

I help develop and review a lot of annual and quarterly plans, and one thing I see in most of them is an initiative or priority around..

Employee engagement can be a tough nut to crack. Even if you think that everyone is contributing at high levels, the research says that..

Merriam-Webster Definition of Curiosity

1. 1:  desire to know:      a:  inquisitive interest in others' concerns :  nosiness      b: ..

Recently, my fiance who is a nurse received his Gerontology certification, and he received a record number of positive client feedback..

It was my first car. You’ll remember yours, the great memories, the funny quirks, how perfect it seemed … and perhaps you remember a few of..

I started my career in the training department: writing ‘by the book’ curriculum with clear objectives, assessments, evaluations and..

I was ecstatic when I learned that Rhythm Systems was being recognized as one of the best places to work in Charlotte. I would also love to..

I am taking a poll on what you think the role of a leader is. There are a lot of good answers to this question that I have heard, read, and..

Aubrey Daniels is a clinical psychologist who has spent more than thirty years dedicated to helping people and organizations apply the..

Recently, I listened to a Ted Radio Hour podcast about the meaning of work. Margaret Heffernan referenced a story about William Muir's..

I recently attended a regional leadership forum held by my friend, John Moore. I always enjoy the opportunity to network with local..

You write the script, set the stage, and make up the characters. If you don’t like the story, it’s time for a rewrite. When it comes to ..

I recently came home from a walk with my pup, Brody, to find my sister at my place in distress. I was determined to get to the bottom of..

I am sure many of us have had the same vision of what a leader should look like. They are brash, outspoken and stoic. Well, I am here to..

Let’s face it - it is scary how bad some workplace experiences can be. The Wells Fargo scandal in the news lately has reminded me of what..

Wait. Did I read that correctly? I always learned that there is no I in team. How could you challenge my thinking like this? I haven’t even..

Two-thirds of CEOs don’t receive any outside advice on their leadership skills, and yet almost all would be receptive to suggestions from a..

Have you ever pushed yourself to achieve a goal that you thought was too lofty? How did it feel? In 2012, Daniel Markowitz wrote an HBR..

Our team recently participated in a Covey training which involved taking a self-assessment to see how we were doing on each of the 7 Habits..

I recently had a CEO share with me that he “thinks” everything is fine in his company. After all, he said, “We know what we know!” In his..

Charlie is inconsolable. His uniform is missing from the locker and the school lost his sports physical so he has to sit out. As I pull..

This “thing” we call leadership isn’t as easy as we thought. At least, that’s what I’ve repeatedly heard from executives I’ve worked with..

Montages - movies are laced with them today. All of a sudden, a character decides in a very short period that they are going to change..

There’s a lot to learn about being a strong and effective leader, and the journey toward this end can be an arduous one. Part of the..

My 12-year old son, Charlie, was treating us to an egg masterpiece and tossing ingredients into the cast iron skillet with reckless..

I used to think I was busy, and then I had a baby and realized that I didn’t know the meaning of the word. Since starting daycare in..

I nеvеr сеаѕе tо bе аmаzеd at the extent tо whісh ideas developed fоr industrial аnd business settings ѕееm so fit fоr реrѕоnаl..

Hopefully, you work for a company that cares about your career development and offers opportunities for you to grow and advance. But, the..

What іѕ іt that mаkеѕ some реорlе truly ѕuссеѕѕful contrasted with the majority of the population? Is it safe to say that they are ѕmаrtеr,..

These days, it can be hard to avoid news stories about the summer Olympics - whether people are talking about the Zika virus in Rio,..

It was an incredible moment. She had traveled thousands of miles, spent hundreds of hours, and suffered the pain of learning a new language..

Your word of encouragement during any team member failure is worth more than an hour of praise after company success.

OK, you’re a..

Tоdау'ѕ wоrkfоrсе ѕееkѕ development, орроrtunіtу, and jоb ѕаtіѕfасtіоn. At оnе tіmе, іt wаѕ mоrе соmmоn fоr wоrkеrѕ to remain with one..

Frequently, people draw connections in their minds when it comes to an org chart. To many people, an org chart defines “who” reports to..

During a recent onsite Quarterly Planning Session, a client group asked me, “How can we be more like  them?” They wanted to be like another..

In researching productivity tips for this blog, I had a revelation… I’ve read it all before. I have blogged on this topic in the past, and..

I’m going to miss my uncle Frank. He was born August 20, 1921, near El Paso, Texas. He was the last man standing (except for my generation)..

One of the most common misconceptions about working with introverts is that we do not work well with others. Susan Cain, an introversion..

Thank goodness I married my organized husband. Our bills are paid before they’re due, every bin has a label on it (the label maker is his..

Most great leaders are great communicators. In my previous blog, I shared how to Stand Up, Speak Up, Shut Up, and Sit Down. This is the..

It's the time of year when many people will be searching and starting new jobs. I am one of those many who searched and found a new job..

Are you getting enough sleep? Doing so can really improve your focus and performance. 

According to a Gallup Survey, fifty-nine percent of..

I’m a proponent for fun. I can’t tell you how many scavenger hunts, kickoff parties, talent shows and team building events I’ve planned and..

Getting - and staying - focused can make you a lot more productive and happier. Of course, doing so is easier said than done. Some days I..

If you've ever downloaded any of our tools or guides from our website, you know that we ask for your "Biggest Business Challenge" when you..

Several months ago, I watched an online course entitled “Creativity and Personal Mastery” presented by author and speaker Srikumar Rao...

It’s probably one of the most common frustrations I hear from leaders: “Why on earth don’t these people do what we need them to do!?!” It..

According to a study by VitalSmarts, a whopping 93% of people report having at least one coworker who doesn’t pull his or her own weight...

I believe in building a strong culture where the team feels connected and there is life, a buzz if you will, in the workplace. Why then did..

You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get them across, your ideas won't get you anywhere.  -Lee Iacocca

I've worked with brilliant..

What's one of the best gifts you can give your employees? Some may say a team lunch or financial rewards.

At Rhythm Systems, we are huge..

Herb Brooks coached the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team to win a Gold Medal. That year, the Russians were highly favored to win; they’d won..

I came across a video on YouTube titled "Steve Jobs on 'Think Different' - Internal Meeting Sept. 23, 1997." I believe any company that has..

As the NFL draft approaches later this month, you might take some time to consider your own team. Do you have the right team in place to..

If you’re a leader, you probably dislike the annual review process. In fact, if you’re like most leaders, you probably hate it. There’s..

Do you ever feel like your company is running you vs. your running it? Most executives truly desire to lead incredible and amazing..

I recently had the pleasure of spending some time with Captain D. Michael Abrashoff, former commander of the USS Benfold. He took the worst..

Alberto P., one of our subscribers, asked, "What's a better way to manage my email?"

Great question! I get a LOT of email, and it sounds..

More and more, we are seeing companies move away from the old-school habit of Annual Performance  Reviews and focus on creating an..

Written by Christian Brim of wp.myemployeesolution.comHelping Small Business Eliminate Employee Headaches. Over 20+ years of hands on..

I pulled a book out of my library that one of my consultant friends gave me as a gift about seven years ago, and I found a great list I..

As Rhythm teams embark on the journey of building a High Performance Team, a logical first step is to identify your starting point. Where..

Bringing in a new team member successfully can be tricky. After all the time and resources you spent hiring the right person, be sure to..

As we were preparing to release the new Rhythm High Performance Teams features to our clients, I have been doing a lot of thinking about..

Rabbi Stephen Baars is always one of my favorite presenters at business conferences. He doesn’t take the stage for long, but he always..

"How can we create something great together?"

That is the thinking and questioning in your mind when you've navigated the journey..

Written by Robert Gerace of www.everystoreperfect.com 

The world of start-ups has permanently changed the way businesses work, and perhaps..

I travel often to consult with clients and facilitate strategy and execution planning sessions. This results in a lot of time spent in..

"I'm great! Too bad the rest of my team sucks!"

In my prior posts, I painted a picture of moving from a life where you feel like "My Job..

In my last post I talked about the employee engagement problem and proposed an ownership mindset and the use of Job Scorecards to solve it...

At Rhythm Systems, we are still celebrating the success of our inaugural Breakthrough Execution Conference.  All of the feedback has been..

"My job sucks!"

I hear these words from many family members and friends when I ask them about their work. It's likely you have also heard..

One of the biggest keys to success is putting your energy and effort into the most important tasks at hand. In order to have a great year,..

For the past five years, we've been dreaming of hosting a conference. This week our dream came true, and it was better than anything I..

Wahoo!! I just got the green light to hire a summer intern!  Then reality hit me. We're hiring an intern!  I've got to find this person, go..

Whether you are handling a baby boomer who is frustrated with the work ethic of a Gen Xer or you are mentoring an impatient Gen Y employee..

Good morning! Time to get to work. You walk into your office, get your cup of coffee, sit down, fire up the computer and start your morning..

Nope. The title is not a misprint. Any ship at anchor while attempting to move forward, is moving slower and using more energy than..

My most recent experience with a US Airways representative had me stunned (and not in a good way), I am getting fired up just thinking..

Why is an annual ritual such as the “Annual Performance Appraisal” dying such a hard death? It’s a demonstration of how powerful habits and..

The best teams are diverse in thinking and will always bring a variety of ideas and solutions. They are able to put all of these ideas on..

Millions of employees around the world are feeling disengaged, depressed and dissatisfied with work. This isn’t a new problem, and there..

Written by Doug Davidoff of blog.imaginellc.com Doug Davidoff is the founder and CEO of Imagine Business Development. His focus is in..

Since the publication of Les Propheties, Nostradamus has attracted loyal followers that, along with much of the press, give him credit for..

Pull the Right People In at The Right Time to Increase Effectiveness

Most all company leaders say their intention is to include the right..

Last week, my team got together for Crucial Conversations training. I recently experienced conflict with my neighbor, and since then,..

I recently watched a webinar in which Liz Wiseman, author of Multipliers and Rookie Smarts, discussed leadership and social influence. In..

As part of my personal Keep Smart rhythm, I recently watched a few installments of a webinar series on influence and motivation (the Joseph..

This guest blog was written by Ralph Simmons of www.ninjapartners.com.

Almost every entrepreneur or business owner quickly discovers the..

I just finished reading the latest edition of Chief Executive Magazine, and the article that really caught my attention was the selection..

Do you know where your team falls in the natural progression of team development? In 1965, Bruce Tuckman researched group development and..

It’s time to call it out. Why do we, as business leaders, put up with mediocrity? I’m talking about leaders in your company who get the..

Surveys indicate that 47% of people rate themselves as good collaborators during conflict, yet only rate 25-33% of counterparts as..

I’ve missed my calling as a Fish Trainer. Animal behavior is fascinating - especially if it confirms the DNA of what makes an effective..

Are you stuck in a box when it comes to coaching your team? The ability to give constructive feedback is core for you to be a great..

In the last year, so many of our clients have been navigating the challenging waters of mergers and acquisitions. As part of your growth..

In a previous post, I outlined the business case for spending that week at the beach or in the mountains guilt-free this summer...

With July 4th just around the corner, now’s the time many Americans are heading out for summer vacations. However, not all of us take..

The bagpiper was filling the church with Scotland the Brave as my Dad and I prepared to follow him down the aisle. My Dad turned to me with..

If you have ever downloaded any tools or other resources on our site, you know that we usually ask you about your Biggest Business..

In the movie, Talladega Nights, actor Will Ferrell incessantly cries, “I wanna go fast!” If you aren’t familiar with the movie, just..

Caretaker for a race horse ranch, a school bus driver, bird surveyor, a small mammal trapper for fish and wildlife service, a firefighter,..

The best sales people are not those that have the gift of gab, and the best sales managers aren’t the best sales people. Selling and..

If you have ever downloaded any tools or other resources on our site, you know that we usually ask you about your Biggest Business..

I have to share a funny story. A couple of weeks ago my wife placed a copy of a New York Times article by Daniel Goleman on Emotional..

I recently had the opportunity to attend the 2015 Quest for Excellence Conference in Baltimore, MD, where the Baldrige National Quality..

As a manager, it is often difficult to manage your own personal work and also lead your team to victory and growth. Wouldn't you love to..

If you have ever downloaded any tools or other resources on our site, you know that we usually ask you about your Biggest Business..

"Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for..

Call it fate, karma, the universe, God, a higher power...whatever feels good to you; but, I believe that sometimes you are meant to be at a..

As human beings, we all experience stress and anxiety; some stress can actually be a healthy thing. It can stretch us to grow and change...

Do you encourage your employees to fail? Doing so can produce some breakthrough ideas and products.

I am reading Exponential Organizations,..

During our last holiday I had a chance to see emotions at every range of their spectrum. Love, joy, excitement, anger, frustration, even..

(The doctor is in... for the third time).

I’m struggling through a healthy mound of salad when Nicole appears: “The CEO of Underda Buss..

“The executives who ignited the transformations from good to great did not first figure out where to drive the bus and then get people to..

"A crisis is like car trouble – keep the car long enough and it isn't a question of if it will happen, it’s a question of when.” – Barry..

We are proud to announce that Retail TouchPoints recently featured two of our long-time clients, Simms Fishing Products, and luxury..

Typically, I am on the road between 20 to 30 days per quarter. Between speaking events and visiting my clients, it’s safe to say, I travel..

Many CEOs I work with struggle with this same issue, and some don’t even know that they have a challenge. They present an idea to their..

I’m writing this blog while wearing my fuzzy socks and sitting at my kitchen table. I am lucky to live within driving distance to our..

As a Rhythm Business Growth Coach, I love studying the patterns and operations of winning teams. I find that it’s an interesting form of..

"Jack has such a sensitive, warm heart. Today, I came to school with some bad news. It may be a long time before I see two of my..

Not all companies and not all leaders want to be enduring and great.  In our modern economy, many companies are what Jim Collins calls “..

If you’ve read an earlier blog of mine on why BHAGs matter, you already know what last night’s tour of my son, Jack’s, Middle School meant..

I was twelve years old when I graduated from my custom potholder making business to something even more lucrative -- a paper route. Later,..

Our next Valentine’s Day contest winner was Chris D.: “My question is around sharing ideas to motivate and improve the performance of team..

In his research for Good to Great, one of the patterns Jim Collins discovered was that the great companies all started the path to..

I think it was hour three into my Topgrading interview for my coaching position at Rhythm Systems when my McQuaig personality results were..

Travel is an important function to many businesses.  It does not matter how much technology and virtual meetings bring us closer together,..

Don’t you hate it when you can’t find your magic crystal ball to tell HR how many resources you’ll need next year? As the new year gets..