Tribute to a Life Well Lived
We lost a family member recently. Laurie Black, the much loved wife of our partner, Brian Black, died on May 5 following an exemplary and courageous 4 1/2 year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 54 years old. Laurie was only “officially” a member of the North Group family for 16 months. (Brian joined us […]
On Listening
Author and Professor David W. Augsburger says, “Being heard is so close to being loved, that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” Recently I had a difficult conversation with another person. I wanted to listen, to care and to respond in ways that were helpful to both of us. Yet, as I experienced […]
Video Blog: Thinking About… Patterns & Routines
In this short video North Group Consultants’ president and founder, Roger North, along with partner and senior consultant, Brian Black, discuss how the patterns and routines of a leader can impact an organization. What patterns should you be continuing? What routines should you be changing? We also invite you to tell us, “What have you been […]
Here We Go Again
As leaders, or those being led, you know how it feels when a topic comes up for discussion a second or third time. If the topic is near and dear to you, you are grateful for the persistence. However, if you are tired of what feels like unproductive rehashing, you are likely thinking, “Here we […]
What Do I Want to Be (Like) When I Grow Up?
We often ask children: What do you want to be when you grow up? Their answers can range from fireman to nurse, from teacher to pilot or even to trash collector (depending on the child’s fascination at the time.) Less frequently, we ask an even more important question….of children and of ourselves: What do you […]
Simple Abundance
One of my favorite books is Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. What a powerful title. I live in such abundance. Keeping anything simple is my real challenge. Take my closet for instance. Every season I say I will clean out old clothes. And, every season I add to the closet at least twice as […]
Video Blog: Thinking About… Likeability
We invite you to view our first video blog. In this edition we introduce the leadership characteristic, likability. Is it important for a leader to be likeable? As leaders, are there things we can do to become more likeable? We welcome your thoughts on our new format, and invite you to tell us, “What have […]
The Power of Being Present
Some weeks ago, I met with a friend who lost his young adult son to cancer. In reflecting on his son’s passing and memorial services, the friend shared how important it was at that time for his friends just to be present, express their care, and hold memories of the loved one together with the […]
Developing Leaders
Good leaders know that they can’t do the job alone. So empowering others to lead is a major responsibility of a leader. How do leaders empower others to lead? Recently I read a book entitled Christian Reflections on The Leadership Challenge, edited by James Kouzes & Barry Posner. The authors suggest the following ways of […]
Finding the Unexpected
January 5, 2015 Finding the Unexpected by Craig Schloneger For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… Every year my extended family puts forth much effort to get together for the holidays. I have two brothers that live in Indiana, and my parents live in Ohio. So no matter how […]