Staff Directory 6370665

Harvey Mackay

Columnist | Outswimming the Sharks
Recent content from Harvey Mackay

Mackay: Asking the right type of questions can help get you ahead

The key is to ask open-ended questions and listen closely before asking a follow-up.
Artificial intelligence can be your best business ally or your worst nightmare. It all depends on how you integrate it into your strategy.

Mackay: Approach AI with a mindset of collaboration rather than fear

By understanding its capabilities and limitations, we can harness its power to create a more efficient and innovative world.
Knight shouts to his players from the bench. GENERAL INFORMATION: Minneapolis, Mn., Sat. Dec. 28, 2002-Gopher basketball vs. Bobby Knight's Texas Tech

Mackay: The key to winning in sports, business and life is practice

As lengendary college basketball coach Bobby Knight said: The will to prepare is more important than the will to succeed.
Harvey Mackay said it's important to find humor in situations, especially those that you can't control.

Mackay: Humor can make even dire situations bearable

A smile is important to keeping optimism and self-confidence.
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Mackay: Want a raise? How and when you ask for it matter

Here are some tips on what type of research to do beforehand, how to handle the meeting and when might be a good time for the ask.
"Who Moved My Cheese?" is a parable about the need to change and adapt. Those are necessarily skills for today's business world, Harvey Mackay says.

Mackay: Change is a constant in today's business world. You need to adapt to win.

With swift development of technology, businesses are reorganizing, which means workers must change as well.
Integrity is essential to good business.

Mackay: Integrity is not just a personal virtue. It's a corporate asset.

Integrity and ethics are essential to building trust, employee morale and business sustainability.
Catching the Ninth Wave is hard work, the same kind of preparation and relationship-building needed to build sales in business.

Mackay: Riding the Ninth Wave of sales takes preparation, relationship and intuition

From figuring out new products to building the customer base of a current one, opportunity is more than being at the right place at the right time. It's hard work.
Believe it or not, it took 10 years for the first bread slicing machine to sell.

Mackay: Sliced bread may be the best thing, but it took a decade to convince bakers

The inventor of the bread-slicing machine, though, had persistence, which is necessary for success.
Abraham Lincoln was a master negotiator who believed in compromise.

Mackay: Know when to compromise, and when to stand your ground

Compromise shouldn't come at the cost of your integrity, but it also is essential to move your business ahead.
You need to take action to get ahead.

Mackay: Moxie is the difference between mediocrity and success.

From children grabbing shovels after a snowstorm to make some money to big boardroom decisions, taking action is the only way to move ahead.
Carolyn Light Bell’s E.E. Cummings collection,

Mackay: Authenticity can be a secret weapon in sales

Being honest, active listening and doing what you say you will do, even showing your personality, will win you more sales.
Like when you're playing chess, you can't win at business without taking risks.

Mackay: Everyone fails sometime in life; make it a learning experience

You won't reach peak success unless you take risks. And you can't take risks without failing some of the time.
Gather people together to brainstorm to boost creativity. Make sure the group is made up of people with different perspectives.

Mackay: Creativity is not just about art — it can boost any activity

Being creative is about problem-solving, innovation and looking at the world through a fresh lens.
Gather people together to brainstorm to boost creativity. Make sure the group is made up of people with different perspectives.

Mackay: Creativity is not just about art — it can boost any activity

Being creative is about problem-solving, innovation and looking at the world through a fresh lens.
Green Bay Packer coach Vince Lombardi, center, speaks with quarterback Bart Starr (15) and Zeke Bratkowski, left, as the Packers trailed the Detroit L

Mackay: Perfection is unattainable, but we must strive for it to achieve excellence

In sales and in life, we must approach goals with the mindset of continual improvement.

Mackay: Successful people from business leaders to athletes use visualization to improve

A vision without a task is a dream. A task without a vision is drudgery. But the two together are the hope of the world.
Politeness is necessary for good business.

Mackay: Bring politeness back as a central tenet of good business

Being polite is just as easy as being rude — and you never have to apologize for it.

Mackay: Concentrate on the little things for big returns

Find out what makes your clients and business associates tick. For Muhammad Ali, it was magic.

Mackay: Resourceful people are scrappy, inventive and never give up

It doesn't take a genius to be resourceful. It does take grit and imagination.

Mackay: Never underestimate the power of positive thought

Negativity will not get you ahead. It will impede progress. But if, with mindfulness, you concentrate on today, you will move forward.

Mackay: Reputation is everything in business — one slip can ruin it

Years of work building a reputation can be ruined with one wrong decision.
Stephen King says he writes because it fulfills him, not because he gets paid.

Mackay: Stephen King finds joy in his work — and so can you

Harvey Mackay says you need to make connections and be invested in your workplace.
W.E. Boeing, a timber trader, got into the business of making airplanes when his own plane broke down and he couldn’t get parts. Shown is the Boeing

Mackay: Entrepreneurs embracing their 'inner child' leads to innovative results

Study entrepreneurs from W.E. Boeing to Jack Daniels and you'll find people willing to take risks. This month, let's celebrate them.

Mackay: Self-confidence alone won't find you success but is necessary to move past rough patches

You need to assess your strengths and develop them to also maintain your self-confidence.
Inspiration isn’t a constant. You need to work at how to continually inspire yourself.

Mackay: Not all inspiration comes from aha moments

Developing curiosity, creativity and connection can help keep inspiration flowing.

Mackay: Even white lies can erode credibility in business

Customers don't — and shouldn't — stick around long if we make their lives harder.
OL Reign defender Sofia Huerta, who is on the U.S. women’s national team, says you need to remind yourself everyday that you are capable and amazing

Mackay: Positive self-talk is key tool to staying ahead

You have to practice techniques, but accentuating positive thinking can translate to positive effects.
The late Stew Leonard had a commitment to customer service for his namesake grocery chain that he literally chiseled in stone.

Mackay: Success takes more than goals, it takes commitment

Harvey Mackay says if you are not committed to your career trajectory, you need to wake up and figure out why.

Mackay: Be likable. It's as simple as that.

Likability, including good and nonjudgmental listening and being conscious of body language, is important to business success.
Voters lined up on Election Day to place “I voted” stickers on the grave of Susan B. Anthony at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Rochester, N.Y. Anthony inspi

Mackay: It takes everyone doing his or her part to get things done

From Susan B. Anthony and her campaign for women's right to vote to the creation of the internet, each person can move the world forward in his or her own way.
The late John Wooden didn’t win his first national college basketball title until his 16th season coaching at UCLA. Harvey Mackay says you need to l

Mackay: There's no such thing as overnight success

Instead, you must work hard every day and build your success step by step, he says.
FRIENDS — NBC Series — Season 10: "The One With Rachel's Going Away Party" — Pictured: (l-r) Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, Matt Le Blanc as

Mackay: Business networks are great, but you also need friends

Be open to friendship with people in all parts of your life, and make friendships a priority. They can help you thrive.
Harvey Mackay says to show appreciation to workers each day, and they will be more productive and teamwork will be better.

Mackay: Appreciation is the key to worker engagement

A recent Gallup poll found that nearly 70% of workers would work harder if they felt they were appreciated more.
When you are truly focused, you look at the task at hand under a proverbial magnifying glass. That is key to success in business, Harvey Mackay says.

Mackay: Focus is the doorway to all thinking — and key to reaching business goals

You need to find ways to improve focus like setting priorities for the day and finding a way to minimize distractions.
** FILE ** Randy Pausch, a former University of Virginia professor, gives his final lecture on Time Management to a packed house at Old Cabell Hall Au

Mackay: Complaining is contagious, but does not solve problems

When managing someone who complains, it's always good to listen but then ask for solutions.
The late Liz Claiborne changed the fashion industry.

Mackay: Businesses need to embrace change

Successful businesses learn how to adapt to disruption.

Mackay: You can change your future if you believe in yourself

You must go into situations with open eyes, evaluating failures and taking advantage of opportunities.

Mackay: Everyone makes mistakes — you need to learn to move on from them

Harvey Mackay says he tells his sales force, it's OK to blunder a sales call as long as you take next steps to keep the client. Moving on can teach you a lot.

Mackay: Assertiveness is key to getting ahead, but you must combine it with common sense

Assertive people can be intimidating or, worse, seen as bullies if they don't think through their messaging.

Mackay: Smiling can help get you sales — and get you promoted

It also is good for your health and for morale.

Mackay: Successful people need grit, something that combines courage and determination

In other words, you don't give up and you do more than is expected.
Making to-do lists is one way you can break down projects and keep on track.

Are you a procrastinator? Here are some tips to get past it

Face your fears, break down projects into smaller pieces and make lists — and then get going.

Mackay: You can be realistic and still be positive. In fact, you need to be

Pessimists rarely find a way to get ahead.

Mackay: You can't avoid confrontation — so learn how to handle it effectively

Approached with preparation and with honesty, confrontation improves communication and relationships.

Mackay: Sunlight, exercise, friendship among prescriptions to get ahead in life

Concentrating on well-being is essential to keep moving forward in life and business.
The changes of the past few years have added to people’s stress levels.

Harvey Mackay: Stress levels are high — here are some tips to deal with it

We need to recondition our brain to respond differently to stress, which everyone encounters.

Mackay: Find a reason to laugh — it's good for the soul and the office

We need some fun at the office as people return — and laughing is good for us.
Michelle Yeoh accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at the 2023 Oscars.

Mackay: This year's Oscars prove dreams can come true

Of course, a lot of hard work must accompany the dream for it to come to fruition.
Taking notes and reviewing them can help your memory.

Harvey Mackay: Here are some easy tricks to train your memory

Memory can get better over time, if you pay attention and develop ways that help you remember facts and people.

Harvey Mackay: Confronting fear is part of life — and part of business

We all face fear. Learning to live with it isn't easy. But other parts of running a business aren't easy either.
Employers must have meetings with workers before they leave to find out what’s important to them.

Harvey Mackay: Take care of your employees if you want to keep them

Employees must feel trusted and valued, that they have a purpose and that management is listening to them.

Harvey Mackay: 'F' words aren't all bad when it comes to business

From fight to fearless, flexibility to follow-through, there are plenty of "F" words that are essential to being successful.

Harvey Mackay: Time is more precious than a million dollars — use it wisely

February is Time Management Month. Start organizing time by setting priorities, not making a list of tasks.
Actor Lori Loughlin and her husband, clothing designer Mossimo Giannulli, were caught in a scandal in which parents paid or lied to get their children

Harvey Mackay: Cheating is an epidemic in the U.S.

There has been a consistent, gradual decline in ethical business practices in the United States for about 50 years. And it's reached new extremes lately in almost every institution that can be measured.
Gary Player teed off from the second tee during the Greats of Golf Challenge at the 3M Championships, Saturday, August 2, 2014 in Blaine, MN. ] (ELIZA

Mackay: Determination is a big 'D' word when it comes to success

If you are determined to reach a goal, hard work will be more strategic.
Og Mandino

Mackay: Live for today to accomplish what you want

Author Og Mandino has a good set of life principles worth exploring.

Mackay: Learning how to network is an essential tool

Cultivating relationships with the people who can help you, and vice versa, is key.
Linda Williams of Laurel, Maryland, places her letters during a 2001 Scrabble tournament sponsored by the National Scrabble Association Club 171. Illu

Harvey Mackay: Words can hurt others — and also you

Every day, you must pick words carefully. Social media has exacerbated people's emotional responses, but you should avoid responding until you are more measured.
FILE - In this image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Linus, center, is shown with Charlie Brown and Lucy during a new animated webisode series

Harvey Mackay: Tackle problems when they arise, not when they become a crisis

If you are always proactive when something arises, it will not take too much time away from important tasks.
It’s easy to be arrogant and hard to recognize in ourselves.

Mackay: Of all human failings, arrogance is deadliest in business

In this June 18, 1929, photo, New York Yankees’ Babe Ruth took a big swing at Yankee Stadium.

Harvey Mackay: Hold yourself accountable by publicly announcing your goals

There are many examples of history when this has worked. Mackay writes his down and puts them somewhere where he can see them frequently.
Volunteering should always be part of your life plan. The key is finding a cause you are passionate about.

Harvey Mackay: Do you know your return on life?

In order to get the most out of what you do — at work and out in the world — you need to look at the big picture, not just the task on hand.
Find your passion for living, and let it be your guide.

Harvey Mackay: Find your 'ikigai' — your zest for life

These 10 guidelines for living can make the difference.
Continuous education is a must for a successful businessperson.

Become a lifelong learner — you'll be a better partner at work

Harvey Mackay talks about how the investment in education — whether it's a college course or learning about computers or professional networking — is well worth the time.

Effective communication is key to just about everything

Communication can be practiced and improved continually.
The art of listening is not easy. But it is important, especially if you want others to listen to what you have to say.

Mackay: Compassion is at the heart of everything we do

Contrary to the saying, nice guys often do come in first. And being kind, considerate and empathetic can go a long way to building trust.
Former NASCAR driver Richard Petty wears a throwback driving suit to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of his 200th win prior to the Coke Zero 400 auto r

Mackay: Healthy competition fuels improvement in all of us

Like Richard Petty, you should strive to win.
The late poet and author Maya Angelou said: “I am convinced that the negative has power, and if you allow it to perch in your house, in your mind, i

Mackay: Don't let negativity take over

Poet and author Maya Angelou said she was convinced that negativity has power and will hurt you if you let it. Studies show constant negativity can lead to depression, anxiety, personality disorders and even mental illness.
May 4, 1939 International Business Machines opens Exhibit at world's Fair New York, N.Y.-Grover A. Whalen, President of the New York World's Fair Corp

You won't get far in business without vision

Harvey Mackay writes about Thomas Watson and others who fully developed their visions of what their companies could be.
Bernie Marcus was fired as chair of one home improvement store. Then he tried again with Home Depot, which is now the largest chain.

LinkedIn and Home Depot founders tried and tried again until they found success

Lessons learned from them is to be bold about trying something new — and don't be afraid to try again.
Tom Cruise revisited his 1986 hit in “Top Gun: Maverick,” a sequel that sees his Maverick character over 30 years later.

Business lessons from 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Commitment, camaraderie, courage of conviction, trust — all are present in the movie, and we can all learn from them.
You must concentrate on customers when they have an issue and be as cheerful and helpful as possible.

Mackay: Customers are your most important ingredient — treat them that way

Good customer service is a must for any business.
Make sure your career path takes you to businesses where you are valued.

Mackay: Graduates, go where you are valued

Workers need to find a right fit for them. Otherwise, they will not live up to their potential.
You can’t hit a career bull’s-eye if you don’t have clear goals to reach.

Mackay: Set clear targets for career advancement

Those goals will inform decision-making.