Blog Archives - Succeed Sooner

#BlackoutTuesday – Time to Listen

June 2, 2020February 25, 2023 by Tim Empringham, MBA1 Comment

Today our social media is filled with black circles, black squares, and mentions of Black Lives Matter and #blackouttuesday. Some brands such as Apple (Apple Music) have made the day about celebrating some of the influential black voices in our society. But too many are still debating the protests in the United States and around the world and applying their own life lens to the stories that are playing out. If you are looking for the Top Real Estate Agents in Canada, in getagent.ca you can find all what you need I am a white man. I grew up with white privilege. I didn't realize the extent of that privilege until far too late in my life, and likely I still don't truly understand the extent of it. I am heartbroken for the people around the world who have been oppressed. For the millions of black Americans and Canadians who don't feel safe in their own neighbourhoods. For anyone who has had to grow...

I Don’t Know… But Let’s Figure It Out!

May 8, 2020December 9, 2020 by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments

If there ever was a time for leaders to realize the power of "I Don't Know" it would have to be during a global pandemic! So often leaders believe they have to be the ones with the answers, but the reality is actually very different. Your team isn't looking for you to have all the answers... they want a leader who will admit they don't know and work with them to figure it out! https://succeedsooner.ca/2020/06/02/blackouttuesday-time-to-listen/ (more…)...

The Great Coming Together (or why I’m a proud Canadian)

April 17, 2020February 3, 2023 by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments

The past four weeks have been incredible on so many levels. The world has effectively shut down the global economy. Travel has stopped. People around the world are staying indoors and social distancing. Thousands and thousands of people are dying. The news is filled with sad stories, big numbers, graphs, and doom and gloom. But in Canada we have found a way to use this time to pull together. And I'm proud of us. (more…)...

Leadership in a time of Crisis

March 19, 2020April 23, 2023 by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments

I had a family vacation planned for March break 2020 to Florida. It was a Christmas gift to my children from their grandparents and they were excited. A day at Disney World, a day at the Kennedy Space Center, and maybe even some fishing in the Gulf! And then the world changed... and we adapted. With the reality of our day-to-day life changing almost by the minute over the past week, I thought I'd share my thoughts on how my wife and I dealt with the emerging situation. I certainly don't have all the answers, but it seems clear to me that the crisis leadership required in today's environment is like something we have never seen before. (more…)...

Cultural Diversity and Leadership

January 21, 2020January 21, 2020 by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments

There is virtually no industry today that hasn't experienced a massive global shift over the past 15-20 years. Our teams are global, even if they aren't located in different locations around the world. Our leadership style also has to change to support this cultural diversity. (more…)...

Personal Goals – My 2020 Strategy

January 14, 2020January 14, 2020 by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments

The new year is upon us and for those that know me or have read some of my year end posts over the years you know I like to use this time to set some personal goals. I am not a believer in New Years Resolutions, but I do think it is a great time of year to reflect and plan for the year to come. (more…)...

Don’t Move Fast and Break Things

September 23, 2019 by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments

By now we have all heard the Facebook developers mantra "Move Fast and Break Things" which has supported the rapid development of the Facebook platform. This trial and error approach to software development has driven massive growth in the speed of software development. But as Facebook and others have learned the hard way there is a time to "move fast and break things" and a time to use caution. And still others like Boeing have learned tragically that this model of product development doesn't apply to every business. I work primarily with businesses that are more like Boeing. I'm all for moving fast, but if it involves breaking stuff you better be sure you are aware of the potential results. (more…)...

Oh Sh#*! (Or Managing The Unknown Unknowns)

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019 by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments

If you've ever worked on something even remotely disruptive or innovative, you know about unknown unknowns. They are the unexpected things that happen that it is impossible to predict. Customer feedback that doesn't align with your assumptions. Unexpected alternative uses of your idea for other purposes. The competition reaction to your new offering. None of which you can predict. So then how do you deal with them when they arise? (more…)...

Leadership Is A Team Sport

January 29, 2019January 29, 2019 by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments

When people think about leaders, they usually think about the individuals who are leading. If asked for examples of great leaders we hear suggestions like Jack Welch, Bill Gates, and Winston Churchill. While it is true that these were the "leaders", they would never have become the famous examples they are without people to lead. You can't do leadership alone. It is meant to be enjoyed as a group. Seems obvious right, but somehow it appears to be lost on many leaders today. (more…)...

Leading From The Mound – Deliver Success To Your Team

January 7, 2019 by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments

Too often leaders see themselves as the feature story. The star of the show. The reason that the fans came out to see the game. But real leaders see themselves as the pitcher at the Home Run Derby, delivering the pitches that allow the real stars of the game to shine. If you think you are the feature story, then you are kidding yourself. Your days of being the star of the show are long gone once you take the step into leadership. And you need to recognize that. (more…)...

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