Archive

As Wall Street has unraveled, I’m more convinced than ever that focusing on behavior needs to be the foundation of every organization and at the top of every leader’s list. Because if creating an environment where employees feel valued, respected and part of something special is secondary to winning at all cost — as the […]

In our last column, the focus was on setting standards as highlighted in Truth No. 4 in 10 Truths About Leadership…..It’s Not Just About Winning: “Rules are for the Weak, Uncompromised Standards of Excellence are for the Strong.” I closed by asking the question, does everyone in your organizations have a clear understanding of their […]

I had an opportunity to speak to a high school wrestling program, and wanted to share the message that I delivered to these athletes. The theme of the message was, “Do you choose the pain of discipline or the pain of regret?” Allow me to digress. As a former high school wrestling coach, as well […]

As we developed the “Leadership Pledge,” the mid-term results made us realize that we were on the right path. Simultaneously, a specific progression, links in the chain of change, became apparent. As detailed in pervious columns, it’s clear that once we brought people into the business who had a high probability of being successful (Step […]

In recent columns, we examined the subjects of motivation, character, and caring. These are crucial factors in success, and as detailed in “The Ten Truths About Leadership … It’s Not Just About Winning,” they comprise the necessary first steps to understand what it takes to lead others in a business, as coach of a team, […]

Motivation is an impressive, irrepressible and unquestionable factor in success. Clearly, when an individual is motivated, he or she achieves goals with relative ease, establishes personal records, and in turn, becomes a strong positive influence on others. When a group is motivated, be it a business division, an athletic team or even a family, its […]

I want to share with you a comment that was posted by Don Sheppard following my recent keynote at a YMCA Leadership Conference this past weekend. “It was wonderful to have Pete Luongo present at our YMCA Leadership Conference this past weekend. I am indebted to Pete for the many things he taught me during my […]

The most vexing thing about truth is the inescapable logic behind words and actions. Truth isn’t hard to accept when we’re on the side of right. But when we’re struggling, or short on resources and time, truths are akin to the long arm of the law in the Old West. What’s worse — the grudging […]

While we’re in the midst of football season I want to share with you an experience I had this spring with a Division 1 football program. I was contacted by the head coach asking me if I would/could help him with a leadership issue. As the story goes, he was very concerned about the leadership […]

The journey continues. It’s hard to believe that I retired in August of 2003 as President/CEO of The Berry Company 12 years ago. When I retired, I made the decision that I would devote the next phase of my life to giving back. I felt then, as I do today, that for those of us […]