First Concepts helps executive management discover better strategies to boost employee engagement and financial results with new approaches toward strategy, structure, leadership, culture, and governance. I've spent a lifetime learning about leadership and what type of leaders produce the best results. For 31 years, I've worked in 32 industries as a management consultant. In 2012, I co-wrote The C
haracter-Based Leader and continue to pursue this quest. My interest in leadership goes all the way back to high school where I conducted leadership workshops for the newly elected student body presidents of Los Angeles high schools. While I couldn't get elected, the principal of Hollywood High, Dr. Charles Sutcliffe, saw something in me and created all these opportunities where I could develop as a leader and learn how to develop others. Out of college, I joined a management training program with Lawry's Restaurants and Foods famous for Lawry's The Prime Rib. Their 93 years of success at delivering extraordinary service and quality is due to their focus on leadership and a culture that respects their employees. Some truly great leaders there mentored me on my way to becoming a general manager. These foundations inspired me to keep learning why some executives and managers produce better results than others. It all comes down to leadership. Teamwork, culture, alignment, employee engagement and employee retention are primarily the result of excellent leaders. Research shows that better leaders produce better sales, profits and growth. When I started consulting 31 years ago, I focused on strategy, customer satisfaction, service, quality and marketing. Then I learned the best strategies and standards don't mean a thing unless you can get your people to consistently do them well. It all comes down to leadership so that's where I now hang my hat. My high energy fun and interactive speeches offer fresh insights on these topics:
LEAD WITH TRUST
ARE YOU A LEADER WHO MANAGES OR A MANAGER WHO LEADS
THE 7 KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL TEAMWORK
BEYOND BEST PRACTICES IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
ALIGN YOUR PEOPLE WITH YOUR STRATEGY
