The Leading Edge at Fast Company


When Performance Reviews Underperform
If you let subordinates select their own performance criteria, most of the time they will make the wrong choice. Get the best out of your employees by creating effective, high-quality performance criteria documents — here’s how.
by Mark Goulston


Separating the Cream from the Crap
Want to gain cooperation, get the best out of your employees, and be a good leader? Just say “Yes” to Early Adopters, “No” and then “Bye” to Naysayers.
by Mark Goulston


Pulling the Trigger
Often the greatest regret after you fire someone is that you didn’t do it earlier — sometimes it’s just better to fire sooner than later.
by Mark Goulston


Silomastery and Mergermastery
Until you rise above the fray of WIIFM (“what’s in it for me”)-minded participants, everyone will put their needs above that of their company.
by Mark Goulston


Lessons in Transparency: Part 2
Seeing is believing. And unless the changes you commit to are observable to you and the stakeholders who have a stake in your improving as a leader, they are no more than good intentions.
by Mark Goulston


Lessons in Transparency: Part I
Get an inside peek into how a 45 minute intervention effectively injected a much-needed dose of transparency into the performance and functioning of one CEO
by Mark Goulston


When Not to Lead
Lessons from George W: On succession planning, ego and being presidential.
by Mark Goulston and Kevin Gregson


Openness, Generosity, and Accountability
Where do those attributes fit in today’s bustling business world? Leaders at a recent conference learned firsthand.
by Mark Goulston


Don’t Mess Up
There are 10 things that smart leaders do to help them cope — but those very actions could mess up their companies, careers, and lives.
by Mark Goulston


Take the Hit
When champions and great leaders hit a wall and reach inside they come up with “heart.” When occasional winners and “not-so-great” leaders reach inside they come up empty.
by Mark Goulston


Hooked on Consultants?
Get your habit under control with this 12-step program for dealing with consultants and avoiding extraneous fees.
by Mark Goulston


What’s On Your Customer’s Mind?
It’s easier to persuade people to buy what they want than what you want them to want. So ask yourself these seven questions.
by Mark Goulston


Create Connections
Communication is key to getting the results you want. Do you connect with people or do you push them away?
by Mark Goulston


Grow Your Company Without Short-Changing Your Kids
Teach your children the three P’s: perspective, perseverance, and patience.
by Mark Goulston


Why I Wouldn’t Want My Sister to Marry You, Part 2
Don’t let a focus on your business prevent you from giving your undivided attention to your family.
by Mark Goulston


The Enspirational Leader
Motivating or inspiring employees isn’t enough. Great leaders must lift people up and give them direction as well.
by Mark Goulston


Ten Self-Defeating Behaviors to Avoid
Want to Succeed at Work? First Step: Get Out of Your Own Way.
by Mark Goulston


Lean and Clean
Take a look at your staff. It’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff.
by Mark Goulston


Betrothed to Telling the Truth
Why I wouldn’t want my sister to marry you.
by Mark Goulston


Needed: Team Leader
Find the best people, then become the person they want to lead them.
by Mark Goulston


Why Tiger Woods Doesn’t Cheat
How to be ethical and profitable.
by Mark Goulston


Mickey Mouse Management
Disney’s challenges highlight the importance of the leaders a company has lost — and the leaders left behind.
by Mark Goulston


Do You Have Achiever’s Disease?
A reader writes in, sharing a story of truly extreme leadership — and its down side.
by Mark Goulston


Take the POP Quiz
What does POP mean to you? Find out and make your organization pop.
by Mark Goulston


The PEP CEO Challenge
How strong is your pride, enthusiasm, and passion?
by Mark Goulston


You’re Fired!
The Donald is back. It’s time to settle back into our easy chairs and watch the amusing, stimulating — and even educational — second season of the Apprentice.
by Mark Goulston


My Dinner with a Bully
Coming face to face with an overbearing, win-at-all-costs blowhard can take courage. Recognizing those characteristics in yourself can take even more. (Fifth in a series.
by Mark Goulston


Standing up to Those Who Don’t Do the Right Thing
Character is one of the four characteristics of successful leaders. Sometimes, expressing it can take the courage of your convictions. (Fourth in a series.
by Mark Goulston


The Integrity-Based Business
Integrity is one of the four characteristics of successful leaders. And it’s important in every aspect of your business. (Third in a series.
by Mark Goulston


What Would My Mentor Do?
Good judgment is one of the four characteristics of successful leaders. But how do you know what the right thing to do is — and when to do it? (Second in a series).
by Mark Goulston


The CEO of the 21st Century
What are the qualities and characteristics that help create successful leaders? Consider this four-point plan.
by Mark Goulston


Overcoming a Bad Case of the “Yips”
Instead of dealing with failure and frustration in self-defeating, self-destructive ways, take a tip from golf to become not just a winner, but a champion.
by Mark Goulston
Be Sociable, Share!