"The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher."

-Thomas Henry Huxley, Life and Letters of Thomas Huxley

Perspective Enhancing and Skill Sharpening Articles in This Issue:

• Nine Things About New Year's That Drive Me Crazy
• Effective Leaders Ask The Right Questions Throughout The Day
• Send in The Chimps - Three Ways Monkeys in Bow Ties Can Save You Time
• Kobe and Shaq - Teambuilding Opportunity Denied

Nine Things About New Year's That Drive Me Crazy

With the New Year upon us, it seemed like the right time to look at the way we celebrate. Oddly enough, I found nine reasons that it drives me crazy.

Let's Toast The New Year!

Effective Leaders Ask The Right Questions Throughout the Day

Your day will go better if you ask yourself the right questions throughout the day. From the morning drive to a pre-bedtime routine, here are my suggestions for making each day great.

Ask Away!

Send in The Chimps - Three Ways Monkeys in Bow Ties Can Save You Time

I've got a theory that every leader needs a chimp to serve as his/her surrogate doing non-leveraging activities. Here are three ways that I think the Chimp can be put into service immediately. But perhaps you can think of more - if so, send us your suggestions.

Send in The Chimp!

Kobe and Shaq - Teambuilding Opportunity Denied

Two of the best players in the NBA missed an opportunity to help their team by demonstrating proper leadership. Instead of showing their dedication and commitment to the L.A. Lakers, they went public with blame, accusations and criticism.

Check the Results.

ExecuNet News!

Are you an executive that would benefit from meeting and networking with other execs? If so, please join us on January 20th at the Park City Club from 7:00 to
9:30 am. Our numbers have been growing steadily as we continue to provide this practical meeting for networking executives. Cost is $35 in advance and $45 the day of the meeting. To register, call Missie Pearce at 972-979-4363.

Senior Roundtable to Begin January 7th at Glen Eagles CC

Beginning January 7th, iLead Consulting and Training will conduct a Senior Executive Roundtable session at the Glen Eagles Country Club in Plano, Texas from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. This session will be similar in format to the typical Execunet meetings, however, it is designed for execs seeking opportunities in the $200K per year range. Cost and other information are available by contacting Missie Pearce at 972-979-4363 for more details.

If You Would Like More Information About ExecuNet, Click Here

Thoughts From the Top - Even Consultants Love Feedback

What an exciting year it has been for iLead Consulting and Training. We have had the opportunity to conduct numerous training sessions for companies across the metroplex, we have been asked to speak at numerous charity and community functions, and we have been blessed with interesting projects to carry out for our clients.

I am grateful for the following feedback received throughout the year:

• From a reader in Austin, Texas who read one of my "Nine Things" articles - thanks for the phone call at 10:00pm at night wishing me well and thanking me for making your day with some of my funny stuff.
• From two readers in Texas, who read last month's article entitled, "Five Books for the Boss" and sent me their recommendations for good reading.
• From the disco D. J. who caught an "Our American Workplace" broadcast out of Phoenix and who thanked us for helping him with some dress for success ideas - thanks to my guest that night, Linda Thomas, image consultant.
• For all the "great" ratings that I have received as I have done training and even for the "not so great ratings" that came with suggestions on ways to improve our leadership training.