Values – Nathan Magnuson

The Person on the Other End of Your Leadership

What comes to mind when you think about leadership responsibility? Taking charge? Casting vision? Setting strategy? Getting results? Every time I get to ask this question in a workshop setting, the list gets long very quickly. Let’s make it more personal with this sobering question: are the people you lead…

How to Be a Good Dictator (or Not)

August 15, 2016 Character Leadership Management Values

In the 16th century, political consultant (for lack of a better term) Niccolò Machiavelli’s works were published in the controversial manuscript The Prince – which is still in print today. In it, Machiavelli shared his theories on how a ruler could maintain control of his province – especially when gaining new…

How to Be Generous in Business

November 17, 2014 Misc. Values

I’ve written before about generosity. It’s one of the greatest antidotes to selfishness there is. Obviously there is no shortage of needs both locally and globally. I’m also convinced that it has never been easier for the everyday leader to get involved. But the potency of individual generosity is far surpassed by…

Great Leaders SERVE

July 21, 2014 books Humility Influence Leadership Organizational Effectiveness Personal Effectiveness Values

I had the chance to travel to Greece and Bulgaria recently and give a series of leadership presentations to several university groups with a small team of business professionals. The sights, food and people were reward enough, but getting to share our leadership presentations with the future leaders of two…

Why Do We Even Have Core Values?

April 21, 2014 Core Values Culture decision-making Leadership Organizational Effectiveness Values

Most organizations have core values. Somewhere anyway. They’re usually posted on the website and probably printed on a brochure somewhere. But do people talk about them individually? Does anyone know them? Are they specific and meaningful enough to make a difference? At the end of the day, the organization is going to…

What “the Boob Grabber” Taught Me About Leadership Legacy

February 3, 2014 Humility Influence Leadership Personal Effectiveness Values

I took a college class one semester from a guest instructor who had recently been the president of a large and influential organization. His presidency had lasted over twenty years and he had overseen numerous high-profile change initiatives. I enjoyed the class immensely and was really challenged in my leadership…

Love Your Neighbor: The Heart of Leadership in the Marine Corps

September 30, 2013 Courage Guest Post Humility Leadership Personal Effectiveness Values

Today’s post was guest-written by my brother Lt. Cale Magnuson, a U.S. Marine currently assigned to the Marines Aviation Program. You can connect with Cale on LinkedIn. I distinctly remember the first time I ever heard Captain Tucker tell us that he loved us. Captain Tucker was the platoon commander…

The Power of Believing the Best

November 19, 2012 Communication Influence Inspiration Personal Effectiveness Values

Several years ago I had the pleasure of participating in a 16 week leadership coaching training course with the Center for Coaching Excellence (CCE). Since that time I’ve had the pleasure of coaching a number of of business owner or organizational leaders. I enjoyed the insight and techniques I was taught, but…