Mike Figliuolo

Founder and managing director

Mike Figliuolo is the author of The Elegant Pitch (Weiser, 2016) and One Piece of Paper (Jossey-Bass, 2011), and co-author of Lead Inside the Box (Weiser, 2015). He’s also the managing director of thoughtLEADERS LLC, a leadership development training firm. He regularly writes about leadership in the thoughtLEADERS Brief on LinkedIn.

Tue, 11/26/2024 - 12:03
What Amusement Parks Can Teach You About Professional DevelopmentGo ahead, take that ride
Tue, 11/19/2024 - 12:03
I recently went to Kings Island amusement park with the kids. Beyond experiencing the thrill of $9 sodas and wicked awesome roller coasters, I learned a few things about professional development while I was there. Some of you love roller coasters,…
The Seven Deadly Sins of LeadershipAvoid these failures and temptations if you want to be a leader of character
Tue, 11/12/2024 - 12:03
Leadership is perilous territory. People’s lives are at stake (sometimes literally). Although avoiding the following seven deadly sins won’t guarantee you’ll be a great leader, succumbing to them will guarantee you’ll have a significant learning…
How Saying ‘No’ Strengthens Your StrategyGood strategic execution is about making smart choices and decisions
Wed, 10/30/2024 - 12:01
We’ve already talked about what a strategic plan is (and isn’t) in our discussion: “Strategic Planning Isn’t ‘Budget +10%.’” Hopefully, you’ve now got a direction mapped out and a list of initiatives to pursue, and you’re ready for a little tactical…
How to Prepare for Your Next Career ChangeThings have changed, including how to advance
Wed, 10/16/2024 - 12:01
This ain’t your daddy’s or mommy’s business world anymore. I’m sure you’ve figured that out already. First of all, people use cell phones. I keep reminding my father. “Dad, turn on your cell phone when you’re not home.” “Why? Then it will ring. I’m…
The Real Reasons You Didn’t Get the JobAnd sometimes the world just isn’t fair
Thu, 10/03/2024 - 12:03
Interviewing for a new job is an exercise in humiliation, fear, and confusion. Whether you’re interviewing for a job at a new company or just changing roles at your present employer, the process is nauseating. You do everything you can to put your…
How Leaders Turn Screwups Into Learning OpportunitiesIt could mean a lot to your people
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 12:03
For many of us, screwing up is in our DNA. It happens. Blame Murphy if you like, but it happens. However, when this happens to someone on your team and you’re in a leadership role, the implications of a mistake can be far-reaching. The most…
Laying Siege to a New Job Using Bridges and CatapultsHow to breach walls to join the workforce
Tue, 09/10/2024 - 12:02
Moving to a new job can be scary and intimidating, with many risks inherent in making that transition. But if you think of the transition like laying siege to a fortress, you will be just fine. There are a few major risks you must account for as…
Defining Your Career ExperienceHeadhunters, fingerprints, and social media
Wed, 08/28/2024 - 12:02
Susan Strayer, a friend of mine, posed a question on social media the other day: “Can you sum up your expertise in 140 characters or less?” Great question. A few people took her up on the challenge. Being an overachiever, I did it in three words.…
Are You Ready for the Next Apocalypse?Define goals, track them, and take action to make them real
Mon, 08/19/2024 - 12:03
In case you missed it, the apocalypse happened a few weeks ago. The end of days. The reckoning. It was a time to take a step back and reflect on all you’ve accomplished or failed to accomplish in your life. Even though the world was not torn asunder…
Authentic Leadership: His Name Is AngelThe injustice of the word <em>just</em>
Mon, 08/12/2024 - 12:03
I hate the use of the word just in front of anyone’s title, as in, “He’s just an analyst,” or, “She’s just a cafeteria worker,” or, “I’m just an administrative assistant.” No one is just anything. The word is demeaning and pejorative. We’re all…