Common Sense Leadership
Hi. I'm Eric Easter. I am CEO of Kittle's Furniture. I've been in our industry for over 30 years. During that time I’ve held positions ranging from cashier to CEO. Along the way, I've held executive leadership positions both in manufacturing and retailing. I've also been responsible for leading initiatives in merchandising, marketing, sales, and operations for leading companies like Kittle's, Thomasville, Boyles and Huntington Furniture. Leadership has always been a passion of mine and nothing delights me more than seeing good people become great leaders. This blog, while discussing a myriad of topics, will focus on leadership. I look forward to hearing from you!
HIATUS
I have enjoyed to no end sharing my thoughts on Leadership via this blog for the past two and a half years. That said, I have decided to take a break. I would like to thank Ray Allegrezza for giving me the opportunity to write this blog. I so appreciate his confidence in me. If you take only one thing away from my blogs, I would like it to be that people matter most. Finding the right people... Read More
Comments (4)THINK CROSS-FUNCTIONALLY
Most of us have had the opportunity to be a new employee on a number of occasions. While every company has its own idiosyncrasies, there are basic attributes and beliefs that most of us look for when interviewing. Once employed, we then validate their existence. These include integrity, respect and recognition. Another important one is whether the company encourages and rewards cross-functiona... Read More
Comments (0)ACKNOWLEDGING UNCERTAINTY
Leaders by nature tend to embrace control. With control comes power-the power to influence, decide and directly impact events. It speeds us down the road of achievement when used discriminately. What leader doesn't want this?A paradox of great leadership is that to get control it's often best to give up a good portion of it. At the same time one must also recognize that in actuality we control ver... Read More
Comments (6)THINK MORE, DO LESS
Our industry has been buffeted like few others by the merciless, unforgiving economic environment of the past two years. It has been a wake up call for productivity enhancements, cost reductions, creative revenue solutions and character. Some companies have weathered it well; others have not. Lack's and Roomfull Express, having been forced to liquidate, are just two recent examples of the latte... Read More
Comments (1)STAY CONNECTED
Few things are more frustrating than a disconnected leader. We witness them careen down one insular path after another blind to the signs along the way. Their mind is made up-no matter the facts. The result is inevitable-failure at worst and opportunities not maximized at best. If you don't believe me find some quiet time and an honest moment with Obama.Staying connected to the customer, the t... Read More
Comments (10)MIX IT UP
There is comfort in routine; in doing things that have worked before; in traveling an already worn path. Unfortunately, to thrive in today's hyper-dynamic world we must become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Repeating past behavior is no guarantee of success. In fact, it often provides an opening for our competition and positions us firmly on a path that exits at mediocrity. I was once couns... Read More
Comments (1)WHICH COMES FIRST— ME OR THE COMPANY?
WHICH COMES FIRST— ME OR THE COMPANY?Organizations seem to fall into one of two camps. Those that are run by individuals that are primarily concerned about enriching themselves and those whose focus is more about doing the same for the organization. These are two very different perspectives and create two very different cultures. At some point every one of us must decide whether it is best to p... Read More
Comments (5)STRATEGY AND REALITY
Successful companies have relevant, viable strategies that evolve as the world changes. So many companies work hard but to no clear end. These companies die at a pace that is determined only by the amount of cash in their bank account and/or the inherent strength of their brand. To develop a workable strategy the leader must honestly and objectively stand back and assess the organization's abil... Read More
Comments (2)WHAT'S NEXT?
Victory tastes so good. Success can be so intoxicating. Winning a tough battle is a feeling unlike any other. However, if misinterpreted, these moments of elation can put us on a path to mediocrity. The world stops for no one. The fact that we have won a decisive battle or dominate a particular market segment today has little bearing on tomorrow's prospects. There is no basis to assume that what m... Read More
Comments (1)Who's in Charge?
A few weeks ago I wrote of how too often it takes a crisis to wake us up to systemic issues. By ignoring the warning signs of impending disaster we dramatically increase the magnitude of the downside risk. Just because we made it another day without a crisis doesn't mean there is little risk in the system. Oft times it simply means we are playing a game of high stakes poker without knowing that we... Read More
Comments (6)IT TAKES A CRISIS
IT TAKES A CRISISThe past few months I have been struck by the scale, ferocity and number of crises in the news. The financial/bank/bailout debacle, Toyota putting profits before safety, BP allowing technology to speed ahead of responsibility and the government acquiescing, terrorism again surfacing on our shores, Greece's difficulties coursing through Europe threatening the viability of the Euro,... Read More
Comments (8)THE QUEST FOR CERTAINTY
Yes, it would be nice to be certain-even some of the time. However, finding certainty in this unpredictable, rapidly changing world isn’t a possibility. It simply isn’t there. Even the past is subject to interpretation. What does that say about being certain of a future result? Give it up. Those that defy this reality and continue the hunt for certainty or incorrectly declare they have found... Read More
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