The Center Consulting Group

Retention isn't always a compensation problem. It's often a culture problem. Here are five simple ways to build a fun and productive culture that people actually want to be part of. centerconsulting.org/blog/is-it-ok-…

A lot of churches struggle with momentum, leadership, and morale. Here are 5 traits that consistently set the healthiest churches and their leaders apart, and how you can build them into your own ministry. centerconsulting.org/blog/5-traits-…

U.S. businesses are losing nearly one trillion dollars annually due to employee turnover. Surveys indicate that meaningful recognition of employees improves job satisfaction and motivation. This can be as simple as a personal thank you. 71% of full-time employees in the U.S. are less likely to are less likely to leave their organization if they are recognized more. In a society where we are constantly looking for quick fixes to complex issues, employee turnover is a complex issue, and gratitude is one silver bullet that can strengthen morale in the workplace. Gratitude is the ultimate performance-enhancing substance; yet, it is often overlooked and underutilized in the workplace. Keep reading for three simple ways to start practicing gratitude: centerconsulting.org/blog/gratitude…

Doctors use MRIs to find problems before they become more serious. What if you could do the same for your leadership and organization? Here are the 5 areas to look out for.    centerconsulting.org/blog/what-woul…

Jim Collins, author of "Good to Great," was spot on regarding this point: If you have the right people “on the bus,” you can accomplish amazing outcomes. I have seen it firsthand here with The Center Consulting Group team as well as with numerous organizations in our consulting. Nothing can take the place of having a motivated team of action-oriented people. Keep reading for more on the seven essentials for getting things done: centerconsulting.org/blog/from-plan…

That decision you keep putting off? It's already costing you. Here’s what indecision is really taking from your organization. centerconsulting.org/blog/inaction-…

We all have our own doubts, fears, past experiences, and potential conflicts that have a way of staying in our memories and clouding our minds and decisions. As leaders, we need to clear our heads to be able to lead our team well. Here’s how. centerconsulting.org/blog/leading-w…

Learn more about how to be an effective leader: centerconsulting.org/blog/effective…

Many leaders are driving automatic - just reacting, performing, and surviving. But there is another way to lead, and it changes everything.

In the article “The Executive’s Guide to Better Listening” published by McKinsey, author Bernard Ferrari said, “Many executives take listening skills for granted and focus instead on learning how to articulate and present their own views more effectively.” This can be due to either thinking we know more or not wanting to invest the time in hearing the perspective of others. And it seldom produces good outcomes. As leaders get older, they can learn that listening matters. Listening shows respect and humility, and it results in better communication and decisions. Keep reading for more on how life experience can be a superpower: centerconsulting.org/blog/are-you-g…

People use guides for many reasons: hunting, traveling, rafting, etc. But leaders are on a journey too, and it can be worth having a guide assist you in reaching your greatest accomplishments. Here are 3 things to look for when choosing a guide, coach, or consultant. centerconsulting.org/blog/3-things-…

The pipeline of emerging leaders is shrinking, but the talent is still out there. You just have to know where to look and be willing to invest. Here's how. centerconsulting.org/blog/wanted-ex…

My son graduated from high school last June and left for the Marines in July. He returned home appreciably more confident in skills that I believe will carry him for a lifetime. He talked with us about honor. He spoke about the guys in his platoon and the brotherhood that is established. He is connecting the dots between the discipline and confidence in his training and the character needed to be the best. I love these conversations. Marine training is rigid — every movement accounted for, every response scripted (Ay Sir, Yes Sergeant). But beneath the discipline lies confidence. Confidence that comes from clarity, structure, and repetition. I am so glad he saw this transformation in himself, and it is building his confidence. As leaders, our confidence doesn’t come from talent alone. It is built through disciplined habits, consistent effort, and doing the hard things even when our motivation may not be high. Discipline creates competence, and competence fuels confidence. Keep reading for more on What Watching My Son Become a Marine Taught Me About Leadership: centerconsulting.org/blog/parris-is…

What do hiking the Grand Canyon and leading an organization have in common? More than you think. From planning well to showing humility, here are six traits that help both backpackers survive and leaders thrive.  centerconsulting.org/blog/6-actions…

We are living at a time when it feels like most things in the world are broken and difficult to cope with. Here are 8 ways we can help ourselves and those around us to move from the label of “broken” towards greater resiliency. centerconsulting.org/blog/8-ways-to…

Do you actually know who is carrying your team and who is quietly dragging it down? Here are the four types of employees on every team and how to manage each one. centerconsulting.org/blog/the-diffe…

Years ago, I worked with high school students as a youth pastor. Our team of volunteers worked to build an environment of “PPP” or “Positive Peer Pressure.” We had a core group of kids with whom we worked closely to create this environment of PPP. So, when the younger kids were old enough to join the high school group, there was an expectation that some of the poor behaviors they had in junior high would not be tolerated in the senior high group. This is an example of positive influence from peers. The positive influence of peers can also be utilized when a leader is initiating a change. This can be done by recruiting a group of people who are supportive of the change and ensuring the larger group is aware of who is on board. If an employee sees that someone they know and respect is supportive, they are more likely to be supportive as well. Keep reading for more on the five practical ways you can sharpen your influence as a leader: centerconsulting.org/blog/want-to-g…

Profit isn't a bad word. It helps you guard against uncertainty and care for your people. Here are 5 reasons profitability is critical for your enterprise (and no, a new boat isn’t one of them). buff.ly/7sQpeFn

Keep watching the full conversation on integrating faith in leadership here: centerconsulting.org/blog/integrati…

How do you lead with your faith at the center? Don't lead with words. Lead with actions. When people watch you help a competitor simply because it's the right thing to do, they start asking questions.