The Thoughtful Leaders Blog
Posted by Lisa Kohn on March 1, 2012
 I love the Oscars. Even if it is, as Billy Crystal said last night, “an evening of millionaires giving golden statues to other millionaires,” I love the Oscars. But I didn’t think I’d find leadership lessons in the over-three-hour show…but I did.
The first lesson that screamed loudly to me, even in it’s quiet, was the power of silence. Who would think that the award for Best Actor would be given to someone who, in a one-hour and forty-minute movie, speaks only a few words? And yet Jean Dujardin walked away with a golden statue because of his deafening performance and the impact he had while nearly saying NOTHING. Likewise, the Best Picture award went to The Artist. Again, one hour and forty minutes with nearly no dialogue, nearly no sound other than the accompanying music – with only a few subtitles now and then to help us follow the story line…and yet follow it we did. Because the actors conveyed so much without words. We knew their emotions. We knew their wants and needs. We knew their despair and elation. We were with them.
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Posted by Lisa Kohn on January 19, 2012
 Someone forwarded me another TED video – they always make me think, and I always want to share them.
Barry Schwartz speaks about our loss of wisdom. He argues that our society, businesses, and lives are becoming increasingly stuck on rules and incentives, and that what we need in order to thrive is instead practical, everyday wisdom that will guide us to do the “right” thing.
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Posted by Lisa Kohn on October 27, 2011
I’m not sure where I first heard these two sentences combined. I do know that I repeat them, over and over, to my clients. Many of us grew up to Yoda’s (from Star Wars), “There is no try, only do.” We thought the little “guy” was cute, enjoyed his coaching Luke Skywalker, and maybe, every now and then, thought about not trying but instead just hunkering down and doing something. But taking things the next step by adding the second sentence, “There is no do, only be,” makes this concept even more real, and more pertinent to leadership.
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Posted by Lisa Kohn on August 4, 2011
Have you ever noticed that there are times you’re really engaged at work and times you’re not? There are projects that fire you up and projects that drain you. There are people you love to work with and people whom you simply can’t seem to stand being in the same room with.
In order to be your best at your job, in order to lead most thoughtfully and effectively (whether you “lead” from the top, bottom, or middle of an organization) you need to find and follow your own passion. You need to fuel yourself with projects and people that keep you engaged and connected to your work.
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Posted by Lisa Kohn on July 21, 2011
The other week I went to see Midnight in Paris, which, by the way, I wholeheartedly recommend. It is laugh-out-loud funny whether you love Woody Allen (I am a die-hard fan) or simply appreciate great comedy.
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Posted by Lisa Kohn on July 7, 2011
I must admit my blog today is very personal…but Thoughtful Leadership is personal and it’s based on bringing our whole self to everything we do and every way we lead. I know my leadership today, my very essence today, is flavored by an extremely private and emotional experience, and if I’m truly living “thoughtfully” then I must acknowledge my situation, my feelings, and my thoughts.
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Posted by Lisa Kohn on June 23, 2011
The other day I rented Love and Other Drugs and I was struck by one scene in particular. Towards the end of the movie, Maggie (Anne Hathaway’s character), who has early onset of Parkinson’s disease, stumbles into a support group of Parkinson’s patients. As she listens to them share their stories and experiences – all the while shaking and trembling – from a place of strength and humor, I watched so many thoughts and emotions wash over Maggie’s face. Up until that point in the movie, her character had always loathed the disease, and seemingly loathed herself for having it, while her boyfriend had them on a frenzied quest to find a cure. As Maggie sat and listened (and cried), you could sense the peace of acceptance begin to wash over her – as well as the desire to truly live.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on June 20, 2011
“You have to measure what you want more of.” Charles Coonradt
Is it a law of the universe, as some people claim, that we get more of what we look at and look for? I don’t know. I just know that time after time clients share with me how much more they’re seeing of a desired behavior or outcome once they’ve started to look for it, to notice it, and even more, to measure it.
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Posted by Lisa Kohn on June 9, 2011
I try to show up as intentionally in my work and life as I recommend my clients do. To “practice what I preach.” To “put my money where my mouth is.” And a myriad of other sayings. I think it’s important to do my best to walk the talk.
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Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on May 9, 2011
“It’s always too soon to quit!” Norman Vincent Peale
So often I’ve wanted to quit just before a breakthrough. I’ve been at the edge, ready to throw up my hands and give up in disgust, to walk away from what I wanted and what I wanted to accomplish, and for some strange reason, perhaps a bit more determination, a bit more hope, or a bit more prodding from someone else, I’ve held on and given it one more try…and I’ve broken through to my goal.
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