Below I’ve compiled the top 10 posts of 2016. You can also view the Top 10 list from past years here. And don’t forget to download my free ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor if you’re looking for a good place to start.

Becoming a Coaching Leader

Coaching sounds so easy but is somehow so elusive to concretely learn and practice. Get the rundown here: quick, easy and concise.

12 Ways to Make Your Teammates Look Good

Somewhere along the way, being a great teammate fell off most people’s professional priority list. Newsflash: teamwork is the next great competitive advantage.

Get More Initiative From Your People

Not all employees are equal – they don’t have equal experience, talent or motivation. Regardless, here’s what you can do to raise the bar.

Be Known Positively

You can’t give yourself credibility – only other people can. If they think negatively about you, it’s already over.

12 Books That Shaped My Leadership

People keep asking me for my book recommendations. I love to share them so much that I wrote this post to make it even easier.

How to Host a Positive Generational Conversation

You’ve probably noticed that different generations think and behave differently at work. Don’t fall in the group that sweeps it all under the rug. Have a strong, productive discussion.

5 Phrases Successful Leaders Use

In a very real sense, leaders speak their own common language. Here is a preview.

How to Be a Good Dictator (or Not)

If dictators can lead sweeping change for decades, what’s the excuse for those more altruistic leaders? Here are a few lessons we can learn.

What it Really Means to “Empower” Your People

You are only as good as your team. When they win, you win. Here’s how to win (and it’s not as easy as it looks).

The Best Leadership Education You Can Get for Free

You do not need to get an advanced degree or attend an expensive seminar to learn to be a leader. Here are 8 shortcuts.

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website or follow him on Twitter.

So what does career management have to do with leadership? It’s a lot harder to lead if you’re not in the right job fit. One of the best ways to excel as a leader is to choose the right context.

Here’s some of the best conventional wisdom I use with myself and others when it comes to charting out a career path – or just making a change.

Accept Responsibility

At the end of the day, your career is your responsibility – in every aspect. If things aren’t going well, you aren’t loving it, you haven’t been promoted or if you can’t land the job you want – there is only one person you can ultimately lean on – yourself. That’s why Stephen Covey’s first habit is “be proactive.” It’s tempting to pass the blame to parents’ expectations, lack of support from an alma mater, a unreasonable boss or lousy employer. Accept responsibility. Your career is your career.

Follow Your Passion

Passion doesn’t come from the head, it comes from the heart (tweet). If you don’t care about what you do – or the why behind the what – you do yourself (and everyone else) a huge disservice. We’ve all encountered doctors, teachers, pastors, business professionals or service workers who clearly lacked passion – and it showed in their work. At the end of the day, fulfilling work is still work – so do the work upfront to identify and pursue what you are uniquely passionate about.

Consider Your Options

I spoke with an Air Force general a few years back who told me he routinely encouraged younger service members to consider leaving the military. “You encourage them to leave??” I asked. “That’s not what I said,” he replied. “I encourage them to consider leaving. When staying becomes the mindless choice, it’s never the best outcome – both for the person or the service.”

Zig Ziglar used to say, “People don’t know what they want because they don’t know what’s available for them.” The Heath brothers encourage finding many possible options to avoid choosing between only A and B. There are more opportunities available today than there ever were before in human history. If you’re having trouble identifying possible options – that’s your next homework assignment.

Speak Up!

In Rules of the Red Rubber Ball, author Kevin Carroll recounted an experience right after joining the Air Force where he realized he did not want to be an MP. In a moment of desperation, he interrupted a very formal lecture to volunteer for another assignment. It ruffled feathers, but he was granted his request. Often the times we need to speak up most are the times it would be easiest not to (tweet). So speak up – your career depends on it.

Make a Goal (and a Plan)

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Career aspirations needs to be written as goals with a plan to accompany them. Don’t skip this step because it feels like a drag. Come up with some short but specific SMART goals, and make sure to include target dates. Incorporate an Individual Development Plan so you’ll be prepared.

Embrace the Grind

If you still follow all these steps, you’ll still fail at this last point if you neglect to do the work. Career success doesn’t come easily or automatically. Be willing to sacrifice for it. Get up early. Cut out less important activities. Temporarily put some aspects of your life on hold while you push forward. Take Dave Ramsey’s advice and “Live like no one else so that someday – you can live like no one else.” Without sacrifice, there is no reward.

I’ve always felt that if I am going to spend the best years of my life working, I need to invest it as wisely as possible. After all, every day is precious. As I’ve progressed, I’ve also realized what career success looks like for me is often very different than for others. But I can also tell you every bit of hard work has been worth it.

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.

Below I’ve compiled the top 10 posts of 2015. You can also view the Top 10 list from past years here. And don’t forget to download my ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor for free if you’re looking for a good place to start.

How to Influence When You’re Not in Charge

John Maxwell said, “Leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.” Here’s how to lead when you don’t have authority.

9 Reasons Your Leadership Development Program is Failing

Just because you have a leadership program doesn’t mean it’s working. Here’s how to make sure.

Put Fear in Its Place

If you’re not experiencing some kind of anxiety as a leader, what you’re doing may lack significance. Learn to dance with the fear that comes your way.

Get a Handle on Your Millenial Employees

If you’re going to lead Millenials, it’s best to be able to understand and relate with them.

Be a Millenial Who Shines at Work

As a Millenial, you can stand out in a positive way. Here’s how.

Do You Have a Royal Culture?

The Kansas City Royals’ World Series championship was preceded by a major organizational culture overhaul that was years in the making.

What Should I Get Mentoring For?

Don’t be the mentee who shows up without a clue (or a plan). Here are some good ideas to make the most of the partnership.

Organizational Problem-Solving Made Simple

Every leader is expected to solve organizational problems, but many lack a blueprint. Try this one.

Thank God for Bosses!

When you stop to think about it, having a boss is one of the biggest organizational blessings.

Handling Unexpected Setbacks Like a Winner

When things don’t go according to plan, that’s life. Here’s how to bounce back.

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.

Here are the top 10 posts from 2014. And incidentally, you can also see the top 10 posts from every other year as well. See you in 2015!

How to Tell Who the Real Leader Is

I used to think you could tell the real leaders by their charisma, looks and ability to maintain a high profile. Now I know what to look for.

Where Credibility Comes From

You can’t give yourself credibility. It can only be given to you by others. Here’s how to get it.

What Coaching Leaders Do Differently

People throw around the term “coaching” like it’s the flavor of the week. But true coaching is a set of skills.

How to Bounce Back from Adversity

Everyone gets knocked down. You only lose if you stay down. Here’s how to get back up.

Catch People Doing Something Right

Do people behave a certain way because of you or in spite of you? If you change your perspective, you can change what you reinforce.

The Fear of the Finger

No one wants to be the one left holding the bag. Not everyone can muster up the courage it takes to lead. Can you?

What Young People Need to Hear About Leadership

The next generation won’t wait. Here’s what we need to tell them.

Leadership Myth: You Need a Title to Be a Leader

If you can’t lead without authority, you’ll never be able to lead with authority.

How to Respond to a Mistake

Mistakes can be painful. They can also provide an opportunity for growth that we’d otherwise miss.

How to Get Great Feedback

Feedback is important. Good feedback is crucial. But we can’t use it if we don’t get any.

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website or   follow him on Twitter.

But the potency of individual generosity is far surpassed by the momentum organizational generosity can build. The difference is teamwork. One person can make a difference. A team can completely alter an outcome altogether.

Whether you lead an organization or not, I’d like to share several of many ways organizations can act generously, whether they earn a profit or not.

Make Money

It’s easy to be suspicious when we talk about altruism and profit in the same conversation. It can seem like a conflict of interest. But can I point out the obvious? If you don’t have any money to begin with, it’s a lot harder to be generous. Think about it: when businesses aren’t making any money, corporate sponsorships, employee development programming and hiring all come to a standstill. The emphasis is simply trying to stay afloat.

Even if your organization doesn’t have an elaborate charity program, just the tax implications of a profitable business can make a significant difference for a local economy.

At the end of the day, no one should feel guilty for profits that are earned legally and ethically. Among other things, they usually provide the first opportunity for generosity.

Meet a Need

Organizations don’t exist just for kicks and giggles. They have a job to do on behalf of customers, clients, patients, students, constituents – you name it. Although we may occasionally question the purpose of some organizations, ones that use their resources to meet legitimate needs do us all a great service. Does it still count as generosity if they get paid for it?

I like to use my dentist friend Mary Kay as an example. She’s obviously in business to earn a profit, but she places special emphasis on finding dental solutions that are the right fit for each patient’s individual needs, both from a health and financial standpoint. Obviously marketing campaigns and revenue targets matter. But in the “coldblooded” context of capitalism (whether real or imagined), going the extra mile to help a customer win is truly an act of generosity, especially when the need is great.

Share Your Organizational Niche

Not only do organizations provide valuable products and services, they possess significant amounts of knowledge capital. Obviously trade secrets are off the table, but organizations who share demonstrate they care. Banks know about money, so it’s a big contribution when they conduct financial planning workshops. Construction companies can donate not just materials for charity projects, but also expertise. Who better to donate consulting hours to a new humanitarian organization than a consulting firm?

Your organization has something unique to contribute that the average Joe off the street cannot. It’s easy to write a check, but sharing your organizational niche often requires greater participation – and can return a greater reward.

Look for Ways to Reinforce Your Values

Core values matter. And when organizations find ways to be generous in the direction of their values, things really get fun. One of my favorite organizations, Chick-fil-A, places a high value on organizational leadership as well as chicken sandwiches. They’ve demonstrated that commitment by sponsoring one of my favorite annual leadership conferences Leadercast, which helps keep the event accessible and affordable for more people. Many organizations today make contributions toward health, poverty and green initiatives. Don’t ever feel guilty for contributing in the direction of your organizational values – whether you get good press or not.

Do it Together

At the end of the day, I believe each person desires to make a difference and the opportunity to be part of something great. Organizations can give that gift not just through their day-to-day operations but by partnering with employees (and sometimes even outside stakeholders) in the generosity process. Just a few examples are charity campaigns, company work days and matching contributions. If you want an organization full of generous people, involve them in the process. Do it together.

Generosity is a lifestyle. We need generous individuals in our world today. But we also need generous organizations. Can you join me in finding a way to help our organizations become more generous?

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.

You don’t have to be special to be a leader and you don’t have to be an expert to help other leaders succeed. You can start right now, right where you are.

Trusted Leadership Advisor is a compilation of some of my previous posts on this topic. In the ebook, I show you how to think about your role as a trusted leadership advisor, what to say and how to get started. Take a look – and if you find it helpful, please share it.

I’d also appreciate your feedback. This is my first ebook and I want to know if the format, structure and ideas prove to be helpful for you. You can leave me a comment below or contact me directly.

There’s so much work to do – let’s work together!

Here are the top 10 posts from 2013.

What a Leadership Coach Won’t Do For You

If a leadership coach won’t solve your problems or tell you what you should do, what’s the point in having one? Read more to find out!

Who Cares About Your Strengths?

If you care about your own strengths, do something 8 million other leaders have done – take Gallup’s StrengthsFinder 2.0 assessment.

What People Want: 8 Things Money Can’t Buy

We all know that some things are priceless. But what are they exactly? Learn the 8 things Zig Ziglar identified that ALL people want.

What a Rock Star Taught Me About Perseverance

Whether you want to be a rock star, a better leader, or simply more successful, you’re getting nowhere without perseverance. This article was picked up by the Ziglar Newsletter and Personal Excellence Magazine.

What the Communist Party Got Right About Leadership

You probably already know what you think about Communism. What you may not know are the impressive leadership methods they used.

It Doesn’t Matter How Much You Care

Someone has a problem. You have a solution. You care. They don’t. So what do you do? Don’t be a hero. Take these 3 suggestions instead.

But What If I Can’t Delegate?

Just when we think we have delegation down, things fall apart. Isn’t there a way to manage a project without micro managing each person?

3 Simple Ways to Determine Hiring Fit

When was the last time you hired a new person to join your team? Did you find the right person? If not, use these questions next time.

Mentoring 101

Unless you know everything about everything, it might be a good idea to spend time with a mentor. Mentors help us go further faster.

The Main Reasons Strategic Planning Fails

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. So why doesn’t everyone have a strategic plan? Here are the reasons many strategic plans fail.

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.

As we prepare to celebrate the holiday, it’s important to note that thankfulness actually encompasses four different areas: gratitude, generosity, sharing and contentment. Last week, I mentioned how important it is to be generous, especially with so many people who need our help. Right now, it’s the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. (If you haven’t made a donation yet, you can contribute to the Red Cross here). But there are many more.

I’d like to challenge you to be a generous person. Here’s how you can get started.

Stop Making Excuses

I don’t have enough to give. What I have won’t make a difference. I’m not convinced there is a real strategic solution in place. Generosity isn’t my “spiritual gift.” I’ve heard (and made) some of these excuses in the past. They make it easier to justify doing nothing. Instead of focusing on what we can’t do, look at what we can do. Everyone can do something.

Identify a Need

We can’t fix every situation and meet every need, but we can do something. So choose something or someone you really connect with. Do you prefer to solve problems or help a group of people? Start there.

Look at What You Have – and Be Creative

Generosity is not just about giving money to the less fortunate. We can be generous with our time, talents, ideas, platform and a limitless number of other things. Last week I shared one of my favorite stories of a football team who shared their fans with the other team. I have friends who give up one Saturday morning each month to do service projects in the local community. Other friends teach a personal finance class. A teacher gives a few extra minutes to prepare lessons for special needs students. Another friend donates his ideas as a board member of a local YMCA. One of my friends recently wanted to raise $5,000 for cancer research, so he offered to write a personal theme song for donors and follow them around for an hour performing it in public. The options are limitless!

Plan Ahead

I can’t stand when people challenge me to give up a coffee or two a month to contribute to their cause. Coffee is important! (Or in my case, breakfast). I’d rather plan ahead so I don’t have to miss out on such a small but crucial part of my day.

Honestly, this is usually the crucial step. Many times when we encounter a need, we’re completely unprepared to respond to it. That’s why we need to plan ahead. If you set $20 (or $50 or $250) to automatically transfer to a separate bank account each month, then you don’t have to think about whether you have any money to share when an opportunity presents itself. If you have no margin in your calendar, you won’t be able to commit to a service opportunity or have a conversation with someone who needs to talk.

Diversify

I’ll be honest, I’m not a big hugger by nature. But sometimes that’s what the situation calls for and I have to step up. I mentioned last week that I believe everyone ought to make a donation to the Haiyan survivors, even if they don’t have tons of cash laying around. We can’t always outsource a form of generosity that doesn’t come naturally for us. We may have a favorite, but we should be flexible as well. Incidentally, what people ultimately need is hope. Can you give that?

Make It a Lifestyle Habit

The goal of generosity isn’t a one-time transaction but a lifestyle. Every little bit counts, even if it’s never noticed by the masses.

Generosity is its own reward.

Will you join me in becoming a generous person?

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.

If there was ever a time to be generous, it’s now.

As much as I’d like to build a case for Haiyan aid, let me take a step back and mention several of the benefits of generosity that you can experience personally.

It Fast-Tracks Your Leadership Character

In his new book The Heart of Leadership, author Mark Miller says that the key mark of a person’s leadership character is putting others first. Being generous means putting the needs of others above our own by going out of our way to work for their benefit. Does that mean we’ll all of a sudden get promoted? Probably not, but then again, it might. It’s at least an indicator that we may be ready.

It Exercises Good Logic

I don’t believe in karma or that the good we do will inevitably return to us. But that shouldn’t stop us from doing what we can with what we have. In the case of the Haiyan victims, there is a good chance that the survivors will never be able to repay aid suppliers. But we shouldn’t expect them to, should we?

Doesn’t it make sense that people who have a lot would freely and temporarily step in a help people who have lost everything?

It Makes a Difference

Generosity isn’t exclusively about money. We can be generous with our talents, time, creativity, networks, ideas – the list is endless. The Grapevine Faith high school football program gave half their fans to cheer for their opponents from a maximum security correctional facility since they never got to play any home games. The impact was off the charts. Small acts of generosity make a difference too.

It Starts a New Habit

Whenever you take a first step in a new direction, it’s easier to take a second (whether for better or worse). The ultimate goal of generosity isn’t a one time experience but a lifestyle. You don’t need to start big. In fact, start small. Start where you are. Simply start.

It Changes You

Remember Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol? He was cold-hearted, tight-fisted and greedy! But a frightening intervention sent him on a generosity mission and he was never the same again. Of course Scrooge was a fictional character, but he’s a caricature of the effects of both greed and generosity.

An old proverb states that “he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” That’s why stories of ridiculous generosity are so inspiring: we intrinsically want in. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait!

It is So Much Fun!

Last week the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the city of San Francisco came together to make a 5 year-old leukemia patient’s dream come true by allowing him to be “Batkid” for a day. They staged elaborate “crimes” for Batkid to solve, villains to arrest and even a damsel to save. Everyone was in on it, from the police department to local shops to the news media. You can’t tell me that wasn’t a blast!

Today the need is for the survivors of Haiyan. Yesterday it was Sandy, Tohoku and Katrina. Who knows what it will be tomorrow. I challenge you to join me in sharing a little bit of what you have to benefit those in the Philippines who have lost everything. You can make a donation through the Red Cross or a number of other groups.

If you were in their shoes, wouldn’t you hope someone would come to your aid on your darkest day?

Next week I’ll share six ways you can take your generosity to the next level.

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.

5 Reasons You Should Join Me at Chick-fil-A Leadercast

John Maxwell: A couple decades ago, John Maxwell had a vision for a different kind of leadership conference – one that the average person could afford and would attend. The first conference, then called Maximum Impact Simulcast, took place in 2000. Chick-fil-A has since become the main sponsor and John Maxwell continues to be the face of the conference. If you’ve gained anything at all from Maxwell’s leadership materials, you don’t want to miss this event.

World-Class Speaking Lineup: Not only is John Maxwell speaking, this year you’ll get to hear from a world-class lineup which includes Jack Welch, Henry Cloud, David Allen, Coach “K” Mike Krzyzewski, Condoleezza Rice and others.

Spark Leadership Momentum: Sometimes we all need to take time away from our leadership responsibilities to get a fresh perspective and new source of energy. Stephen Covey spoke to this in his 7th habit, “sharpen the saw.” My own perspective shifted in several key ways when I attended last year, which resulted in some major leadership decisions. If you bring your team, the sparks could really fly.

Expand Your Leadership Network: What happens when leaders and learners from many different walks come together in one place? You’ll never know unless you join them! Your next contact, sale, opportunity or friend may be waiting right around the corner for you at Chick-fil-A Leadercast. I know my network has been greatly enhanced by attending.

It’s Affordable: There are still tickets available to attend the live event in Atlanta. Tickets are $239 per person, with group discounts available. But you don’t have to go to Atlanta to attend the event. There are simulcast sites all over the country at simulcast rates, including here in Kansas City.

5 Reasons You Should Join Me at Chick-fil-A Leadercast – simulcast in Kansas City

Build Your Local Leadership Network: If you attend the simulcast event in Kansas City, you’ll have access to the network that attends with me. As long as you contact me, I’ll save you a seat and make sure everyone gets introduced. Not only will you meet some great people, you’ll have access to their own networks, their resources and their ideas.

Kansas City is a Great Place: If you live in the Kansas City area, then attending our lone simulcast site at Mid-America Nazarene University makes a lot of sense. But there are many great reasons to visit KC as well. Since the event takes place on a Friday, you can enjoy our city while you’re here. Kansas City BBQ is second to none. You can check out the plaza or the fountains. And the Royals are hosting the New York Yankees at Kauffman stadium all weekend as well.

Win a Free Prize: Each simulcast site features plenty of opportunities to win door prizes, such as the the iPad mini featured here in KC. For the folks who join me, I’ll be giving out a free copy of Ken Blanchard & Mark Miller’s recent book Great Leaders Grow to one lucky participant.

30% Coaching Discount: Leadership coaching has become more and more popular in the organizational leadership space and one study even showed that it generates over 500% average return on investment when applied to learning activities. I have a special Leadercast promotion for up to three coaching sessions. (One before the event to set learning goals, one soon after to recap learning points, and the final one shortly down the road to support the implementation). Don’t let what happens at Leadercast stay at Leadercast (tweet). Get a coach! Visit my Coaching page or contact me for more information.

It’s Affordable: While the live event price is $239, the simulcast price in Kansas City is only $79! That’s a price just about anyone who values leadership can afford.

So what’s the standing between you and Chick-fil-A Leadercast 2013? Will you join me this year?

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website or   follow him on Twitter.