“Ian, we need you to lead our intern program this summer.” “Do we have an intern program?” “Not yet. You’ll figure it out.” “Got it.” I was pumped. I was 24 years old and I was about to get my first time of management. I visited two major universities after posting a job description and selecting candidates for interview panels. With no prior experience in hiring and only a few open positions, I set about limiting applications to those I would meet in person. I worked for GE and at the time, we were the largest company in the world.…

Drinking coffee early before work, I hear text notifications on my phone. Who the hell is sending me text messages this early? I check my phone. “What happens in Vegas . . . “ “Partying with the girls!” “Have you ever been to this club?” Oh, it’s just my mom. I calculate the time difference. It’s 2 AM in Las Vegas. Hell yeah, mom. Public Servant Chris Mathews was an educator for 40 years. She taught every grade in elementary. She would scramble to get my sister and me to school, teach all day, rush home to take me to hockey practice, cook…

“What the hell are you trying to prove?” My safety glasses are steaming, and sweat is rolling down from my hard plastic helmet. It’s loud as hell in this factory, so I’m not exactly sure what I’m being told. My shift supervisor just shut my machine down so he could chew my ass. He is pissed, and I am confused. Am I being scolded for being too productive? I worked an internship for an automotive parts supplier in Detroit when I was in college. The work was related to my engineering major. I worked with a manager to find more…

Have you ever said something in a meeting and immediately regretted it? Sitting in a quarterly review with my CEO, I was beyond confident. I couldn’t wait to brag about all the positive things going on in my business. This CEO was notoriously tough in meetings. This review was our regular chance to update him on our business, with about 20 other managers in the room and five with speaking roles. He was bright and could drill into any area of your business. He had a way of challenging your thinking. He helped you see a looming crisis or a…

The qualities of a top performer are not always the same as great managers. This article examines what it takes to be a great leader.

When my son was six years old, I planned a baseball trip to Florida to see Spring Training. We had tickets to two games, both near Disney themes parks in Orlando. After talking with some parents in the office, I decided to squeeze in time at a park. Every person said some version of the same thing. “Your son will love it but be careful; Disney gets expensive quickly.” I did some research online, attempting to figure out the best park for my son. He loved Star Wars, and the Hollywood Studios park had attractions right up his alley. Looking…