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!
CONFRONT or SETTLE FOR MEDIOCRITY
Confronting others, for any reason, can be very uncomfortable. In fact, so uncomfortable that many of us avoid it whenever possible. As a leader, an unwillingness to confront is one of the surest paths to failure.When a leader identifies a broken process or witnesses an individual’s poor performance they have an obligation to confront and correct the situation. Ignoring it or hoping it will tak... Read More
Comments (7)NEED TO ACHIEVE or NEED FOR POWER
One of my favorite courses in college was Entrepreneurship. There were a number of experiences that stood out, especially helping local small businesses. However, one of the most germane topics we studied was human behavior and what drives leaders.As leaders we deal with people everyday. Understanding them is challenging and at the same time gratifying. The more we understand those we interact... Read More
Comments (3)OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
Some days I feel like the world just got a brand new toolbox filled with various implements of adversity and then, for whatever reason, decided to try them all out on me. I feel beat, hammered, twisted every which way, and generally just screwed. All of us have experienced this. I imagine this is how the management of Toyota is feeling today with all their quality problems. What a disaster to h... Read More
Comments (4)THE DANGER OF UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS
We could not get through any day without making a series of underlying assumptions. We assume the person driving the car in the other lane will not swerve into us; we assume that the food we eat is not poisoned; we assume our kids will be safe at school; we assume that we will not be fired unfairly and so on. These assumptions allow us to focus on less certain realities that need our intervention.... Read More
Comments (7)NAÏVE, STUPID OR JUST MISTAKEN?
I learned early in life that I was a lousy liar. Like everyone, I tried but I failed miserably. I knew some people who were adept and at times even envied them. I later learned that my apparent inadequacy was actually a blessing, not a curse. I tend to give folks the benefit of the doubt (that’s what I expect from others), so I have at times been burned. This is the price I am willing to pay to be... Read More
Comments (6)SYNC INITIATIVES
None of our businesses operate in a vacuum. Our competitors continually challenge us to become better and more creative; other industries are competing for the same consumer dollar; the macro-economy plays havoc with our plans; as a result, we spend our days both anticipating and reacting to change. We marshal our resources and apply our effort to take share in a zero sum economy-not an easy task... Read More
Comments (1)NUMBER THEORY
Years ago I read the science fiction book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams. It is a bit wacky but a lot of fun. In the book a computer churns for 7.5 million years to determine “the answer to everything” and finally arrives at the answer: 42. I think about this when I see people who spend most of their time delving into report after report, spreadsheet after spreadsheet t... Read More
Comments (7)HOLD ONTO YOU
All of us at times lose our way in life. None of us exit the womb knowing all we need to know to become a happy, confident person. We must learn life’s difficult lessons on our own. Hopefully we are born to good parents, connect with positive mentors, find competent teachers and choose good friends. However, no matter what our circumstances when we drill down to the dry reality that is life a... Read More
Comments (3)NO SILVER BULLETS, PLEASE
When faced with a seemingly insurmountable obstacle our natural inclination is to search for that one thing that can set the world right again. In business it may mean throwing out one leader for another. It may mean risking it all hoping for that one deal that turns it all around. It might mean placing all our hopes on one new product introduction. It may mean eliminating a complete division... Read More
Comments (4)MOVING FORWARD
Taking hits and getting back up is a sign of inner strength. Whether it’s on a personal or professional level, developing this ability leads to more success and happiness. A leader who does not posses this trait is miscast. People look to their leaders for strength to help them persevere. If co-workers sense an unwillingness or inability of their leader to fight back when dealt a series of blow... Read More
Comments (9)THE BATTLE FOR CONSISTENCY
We know that every company must have a valid strategic plan and a viable niche in the marketplace. Without this it is just a matter of time before the organization becomes irrelevant and dies. However, this alone does not guarantee success. It is just as easy to go out of business because of poor execution. Most companies last no more than three years because it takes both a differentiating st... Read More
Comments (5)PEOPLE MATTER MOST
Years ago I was counseled by an executive that people really don’t matter. He said it is like when you stick your hand in water and then pull it out. The water is the same as before. His belief was that the hand entering and exiting the water made no difference. He felt the same about people. In his world people were dispensable and easily replaced. Sadly, he practiced this philosophy and it... Read More
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