Bud Bilanich | The Common Sense Guy

Star Power

I got an iPod Nano for Christmas.  It’s great – a lot of fun, easy to use.  In short, it’s very cool. 

I have begun writing a new book on what it takes to build a great career and I was looking for a hook. 

I understand that, at first glance, these two statements don’t seem to go together.  But they do. 

Serendipity can be a wonderful thing.  Celluloid Heroes, by the Kinks is one of the songs I downloaded for my iPod.  The beginning of the song goes something like this:

• Everybody’s a hero.  Everybody’s a star.
  There are stars in every city, in every house and on every street.

The light bulb went off!  I had my hook – everybody wants to be a star in their life and career.  The working title of my new book is Star Power: Common Sense Ideas for Creating the Life and Career You Want and Deserve.

Just like a star has five points, there are five points for becoming a star in your life and career: Self Confidence, Personal Impact, Performance, Communication Skills, Interpersonal Competence…

Alex and the Power of 1

I am a big believer in the Power of 1.  I believe that one person can make a difference.  I end every one of my blog posts with the words “I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand”.

Alex is Alexandra Scott.  Two days before her first birthday, Alex was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer.  In 2000, when she was four, Alex, like many kids, wanted to set up a lemonade stand in her front yard.  Unlike most kids, she wanted to donate the money she made selling lemonade to the hospital where she was being treated for her cancer...

Blognoggle

I had a pleasant surprise this morning.  CommonSenseGuy.com has been selected as one the 100 Top Business Blogs by blognoggle.com.

I bring this up here not because CommonSenseGuy.com was chosen as a top business blog, but because blognoggle.com is one of the coolest ideas I've seen in a long time...

Rudy Giuliani and the Army on Leadership

As you know, I am attempting to full together a wide variety of thoughts and perspectives on leadership, in an attempt at developing a meta model of leadership.  Today, I was reading Executive Leadership, a newsletter to which I subscribe, and came across two articles - one highlighting Rudy Giuliani's 6 Leadership Principles, and the other describing the Pillars of Army Leadership...

R E S P E C T

A couple of weeks ago, USA Today ran an article that highlighted Raytheon CEO Bill Swanson.  Mr. Swanson has written a booklet of his personal observations on leadership.  One of which is “a person who is nice to you, but rude the waiter, or to others, is not a nice person."

More on Leadership

I’ve been asking readers to send me their thoughts on what makes for effective leadership.  This week, Glenn Cantor sent me this list. 

• Ability to promptly recognize and appropriately address unacceptable performance.

• Willingness to appropriately, confidentially work with others to accept and correct mistakes.

• Ability to adjust leadership style based on situations and personalities.

• Legitimate, genuine concern.

Thanks Glenn.  I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective on leadership. 

The list is growing.  I’d like to hear from more of you.  I’m trying, with your help, to develop a comprehensive definition of leadership.  Together, I’m sure we can succeed.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Have a great weekend.  For more common sense advice on leadership, log on to my website: www.BudBilanich.com.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

Fundamentals and Teamwork

Page One of USA Today had a story entitled Team-first, back-to-basics foreigners changing NBA.  This was page one, Section A -- the front page, not page one of the Sports section.

Granted the NBA playoffs are about to start.  However, a sports story on the front page that doesn't come the day after the Super Bowl is unusual.  In short, the article pointed out that NBA coaches and General Managers are increasingly looking to coutries outside the US for players -- especially players from Europe.

The reason is simple.  European players are fundamentally sound and play a team first game...

Some Kudos for Me

I'm a big believer in positive reinforcement.  I think that too few of us get the strokes we deserve. 

The other day, I had a nice surprise.  I was chosen as a featured entrepreneur by  Business Owner's Idea Cafe.  In an act of shameless self promotion, I've included it here...

More on Leadership

If you're a regular reader, you know that I am interested in creating a meta view of leadership.  I've asked readers to send me their thoughts on what makes for good leadership.

Today, I came across a study by Right Management Consultants that listed nine most desired skills for future leaders....

Realizing the Full Potential of a Blog

Today's USA Today has a review of a new book Crazy Busy: Overstretched, Overbooked and About to Snap.

Edward M. Hallowell, the author is a psychiatrist and specialist in Attention Deficit Disorder.  This book sounds like a great read -- and a new perspective on time and stress management.  I can't recommend it as I have not yet read it, but I am planning on buying and reading it.  I'll post my thoughts here.

Michelle Archer, the reviewer lists some of Dr. Hallowell's predictions.  Among them: Blogs will become powerful problem solving devices through the interconnection of millions of people -- and their collective brainpower...