My year-end review has become one of my favorite posts to write. I get to take my own advice – to reflect on the big picture, look for patterns, and see what I can learn.
Here’s what I found:
➤ A record number of page views – over a half-million during 2015!
➤ A record number of awards and recognition this year!
➤ My blog is especially popular in: The USA, The UK, Canada, India, Australia, South Africa, and Germany.
➤ 53% of my readers are below the age of 35.
➤ 54% are male; 46% are female.
To identify my top posts, I used the number of page views according to Google Analytics. In the past, I created a formula using a combination of page views, social sharing, and comments, but Twitter stopped providing share counts in the fall. So I decided to keep it simple this year.
A big surprise – the top seven most viewed posts during 2015 were NOT written in 2015. One post written in 2012 had over 26,000 views this year alone. And three of my “Top 10 All-Time Viewed Posts” were never on a “Top 10 For The Year” – which means not only are my older posts still strong, they are gaining momentum over time.
Once again, I am in awe of the number of insightful and thought-provoking comments on my posts. I put a lot of effort into writing posts, but your comments are what bring them alive. They offer an opportunity to explore the topic more deeply and stimulate new thinking.
So thank you, dear readers. You make it worthwhile!
Now the drum rolls for 2015! (blog posts that were written in 2015)
Number 1: The 10 WORST Popular Leadership Quotes
This post went viral(ish) – the first day it was published it got over 5000 views! And it’s the most socially shared post.
Number 2: Situational Team Decision-Making: Collaboration Does Not Require Consensus
One of the real pleasures of writing a blog is I get to test out my new thinking. I get instant feedback on whether it makes sense or not. Apparently this model works – it has had over 10,000 views so far and over 1500 social shares.
Number 3: 3 Approaches to Culture Change: What Works
You can’t “do” culture change to an organization. Culture won’t change by decree or through training. Here are 3 approaches that work and their pros and cons.
Number 4: 9 Essential Leadership Strategies in Today’s “Age of Information”
A short story about the shift from the Industrial Age to the Information Age, the implications for leadership, and what it means for those of us who did not grow up with technology.
Number 5: Vision Requires Action: 7 Tips to Move and Keep Moving
Creating a shared vision is one of the most important roles of a leader. But vision alone is not enough. Vision requires action.
Number 6: To Be a Better Leader You Must Kill Your Darlings
In this interview, John Bell, former CEO of Jacobs Suchard and author of Do Less Better, tells how “killing his darlings” saved his company.
Number 7: Vision and Execution Are Not Sequential
One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is moving from vision to execution as though it’s a linear process. The widely held assumption is they are two ends of a spectrum and you go back and forth between them. Actually, when you do it right, it’s not linear or circular, it’s simultaneous.
Number 8: How to Delegate Effectively and Minimize the Risk
Delegating is often one of the hardest things for a manager to do. You give away your authority to make decisions but are still responsible for the outcome if something goes wrong.
Number 9: How to Create a Dynamic Strategic Plan in an Unpredictable World
(Written on December 16, this post didn’t have time to get enough exposure to make the list, but it has already had over 3000 views in just two weeks!)
The traditional approach to strategic planning is obsolete in today’s fast-paced, unpredictable world. (60-80% of firms fail to execute their strategies). But planning is essential to success, if you do it right. Here are 5 guidelines to create a “Dynamic Strategic Plan” that will enable you to respond quickly and to be creatively proactive.
Number 10: Relationship Currency Transforms a Transactional World
This did not make the list either, but I am adding it because it is my personal favorite. This is a heart-warming true story of my experience buying a new home this year and shows how human connection can be more important than money.
Good morning Jesse – thanks for the year end synopsis. Looking back often provides a great foundation for success in the future! Keep up the great writing.
All the best for a happy and prosperous 2016!
Chris
Thanks, Chris. Warm wishing for a wonderful 2016 to you and yours!
Hi Jesse,
Thanks for putting this list together. I am a regular reader of your blog, but had missed several of these. I’ve bookmarked this page and am looking forward to reading them.
Glad to hear that, James. Hope you enjoy them!
Great list Jesse! And congratulations on your success in 2015. No surprise though as your articles are exceptional. Wishing you a brilliant 2016!
Thanks for your kind words, Susan. I’m glad to be swimming in the same stream as you!
Jesse – Kudos to you for your contributions to the world of leadership. Your posts are so thought provoking as are the comments from your many readers. Thank you also for sharing the posts of others without hesitation. We are so lucky to have you in this world!
Thank YOU, Jennifer! It’s a privilege to be your friend and colleague.
Firstly, delighted that my interview with you made the top 10. Secondly, like most things in life, the result of whatever you do is in direct proportion to the effort. I was very impressed by the time and and the thought you put into that interview and the final post. No question in my mind that this is one of your key success factors. And that’s why your site is at the apex of leadership blogs.
Thanks so much, John. It was such a pleasure to meet you and hear first-hand about your great work. Looking forward to future opportunities to connect!
You are indeed my role model. I actually used your last #10 as a great example of intelligent optimism which comes when one seeks multiple options and says “what next”. I am forwarded this great post on to my clients. Bravo for you.
Thank you for your kind words and support, Eileen. Appreciation is mutual!
Chapeau Jesse and indeed inspiring.
Thank you for this rwach contribution.
I love this idea of recognizing (and acknowledging) results and achievements.
it’s simply being present to them.
That gives me the idea to replace the 2016 resolutions with the writing in advance my “2016 in Review – My Top 10 Achievements”.
For me – “There will be no resotution, no statement this year!”
(wow, what a resolution, what a statement)
Taking stock of the present is always a good thing to do. The real trick is to incorporate that into our lives so that we are holding the intention of our vision and objective about our current reality.
Best to you, Yoram, as you move into 2016. May it be a good year for you.