I have come to look forward to my annual end of the year blog review. It’s an opportunity to take my own advice and reflect on the big picture before I jump into the new year. It always provides some insights and some surprises.
This was a banner year for my blog, averaging close to 50,000 views a month. I was included on many of the top leadership blogger lists, and in December I was included in Inc. Magazine’s 100 Top Leadership Speakers.
I’m delighted my blog is so widely viewed because I put a lot of effort into crafting my posts. I aim to provide original content that is relevant, practical, challenging, and include actionable advice. My goal for 2015 is to shorten my time in creating my posts while maintaining the same level of quality.
To identify my top posts of 2014, I used the same formula I used last year which includes the number of views from Google analytics, the number of social media shares from my website, and the number of reader comments. It’s interesting to see what my readers liked the best, which doesn’t always include my personal favorites.
I was honored to host many excellent guest posts this year, which I did not include in my list. The top guest post (using my formula) is: The New Rules of the Social Age , an excellent article by Ted Coiné.
Most importantly, I want to take this opportunity thank you, the readers of my blog. One of the reasons I put in so much effort is that I get back as much as I give. The comments you leave help me deepening my own thinking and inspire and enrich me.
Warm wishes for a healthy and joy-filled new year.
~ Jesse
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2014
#1. How to Create a Shared Vision That Works
This was a break-away top post, placing it among my all-time top posts ever. I am delighted because I spent three years getting ready to write this post. It outlines the steps to create a shared vision by providing links to posts I have written over the past three years and includes all the major concept in my book Full Steam Ahead! Unleash the Power of Vision. Many people write a book comprised of their blog posts, but this might be the first time someone has unpacked their book and turned it into a comprehensive series of blog posts.
#2. The 40 Best Leadership Quotes
This is another break-away post that ranks among my all-time top posts. I wrote it because I had been looking for some good leadership quotes and noticed that none of the lists had more than 10% by women. It was so out of balance that I decided to create a list of great quotes mostly by women. I never mentioned the ratio and the funny thing is that although this list has been quite popular, no one seems to have noticed that the quotes are primarily by women.
#3. 5 Questions That Will Help You Be a Better Leader
This is likely to become another all time best post because it is already number 3 on the list and was just published a month ago.
#4. Emergent Leadership Topples the Pyramid
I’m glad this one is so high on the list because it is my favorite post of the year. It presents a different model of leadership – non-hierarchical – and challenges some current thinking about servant leadership. I spent a lot of time researching examples and working on this post and am proud of it.
The learning for me in this one was a post can be very short and still very powerful. (This is a skill Seth’s Blog and Dan Rockwell @leadershipfreak have mastered). What I especially like about this post is I don’t bother with any the old “active listening” stuff. It gets right to the heart of the matter.
#6. Results Driven vs Process Driven Leadership
Provides guidelines for when to involve others and when to do it yourself.
#7. The Two Faces of Leadership
I am pleased this is such a popular post for two reasons – 1) it’s such an important message and I’m glad others agree, and 2) I spent about half the amount of time writing this which reinforces that my goal to reduce my writing time is realistic.
#8. How to Identify Team Values that Unify and Guide Your Team
I originally wrote this piece for inclusion in Barbara Kimmel’s new book TRUST Inc.: 52 Weeks of Activities and Inspirations for Building Workplace Trust.
#9. The 12 Team Behaviors That Drive Team Performance
This posts discusses what you can do as a team member to help your team become a high performance team.
#10. The Art of Hosting Meaningful Meetings
There is only one good reason to have a meeting – to create and tap into the collective wisdom of the group.
Jesse, I’m reading this and my heart sings for you. You’re awesome! I am thankful that you are in my circle of friends. I believe God wants us to surround ourselves with people who share our values, can encourage us, offer wise counsel, and through what they share, help us live honorably and with integrity. Some of these people I am blessed to know personally, but more and more they are known only through their writings and short interactions online. These relationships are no less real than those shared with neighbors across the fence. I’m looking forward to reading and learning from you in 2015.
Thank you, Jane. I’ve appreciated your always thought-ful comments and the opportunity to connect with you. Wishing you a wonderful 2015.
Thank you so much for sharing your year in review, Jesse. There is so much wisdom, insight, value and generosity in what you share. I get so very much from each and every post. Congrats too on the wonderful recognition and awards you’ve received this year – they’re so well deserved! Happy New Year to you and looking forward to another year of writing!
Thanks Kathy, And congrats you you! It’s been a pleasure to witness your success and well-deserved recognition!
Congratulations for a year of wonderful success in 2014! May 2015 be another amazing year!
Thank you so much for all you share Jesse.
Thank you, Samantha. Your comments have added so much value and enriched my blog. Hoping 2015 is a wonderful year for you.
Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to review your blogs. Each one contains wisdom helpful to leaders and are worth reading more than once!
Thanks so much, Fay!
Jesse – thank you for your various posts this year. Reading through those listed above (including a couple I missed) was a great reminder of how we can all strive to be better.
A couple of the posts reminded me of an article I wrote recently relating to the importance of Change Leadership, I attempted to simplify and distill it down into two diagrams: The Vicious and Virtuous Circles of Change, I would be interested in your comments.
Martin.
Thanks, Martin. I’ve bookmarked your article and look forward to reading it.
Jesse, congratulations on a great 2014 – all accolades richly deserved.
Looking forward to what 2015 holds,
Best regards,
Carl
@SparktheAction
Thank you, Carl, and thanks for your many astute comments. Best wishes for the new year.
I never forget the Sunday morning I stumbled upon your fist blog post. I just connected with your voice and perspective and haven’t looked back since. It is interesting that you mention “How To Create A Shared Vision That Works” is the other way around in that the book existed, but I first read your blogs then read Full Steam Ahead. I enjoy coming here, so thank for all your shares. It just helps me to hit the pause button and reflect, checking if I am still going where I want to go so know that your mission is accomplished in my finding what you offer practical. Have a fabulous shift into the New Year.
How lovely. Thank you so much for sharing that, Thabo. Connecting with people like you who live on the other side of this planet, who are so different, and yet so similar, and who are doing good work in the world has been an unexpected and wonderful gift. Wishing you and your family a wonderful new year!
Thanks for all you do! Your posts are always thought-provoking.
Thank you, Skip. Honored!
Jesse–I continue to be impressed with your blog. In fact, you are a role model and provide inspiration for me to keep going. I admire how you can focus, zero in on a topic, and share helpful points–easy to read. I always learn something from reading your posts. If I can get half as good, I would be grateful.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom with the rest of us. I have so much to learn.
I just ordered a book on mindfulness because of one of your posts. I will keep reading and I share your blog with others. Thanks
Thank you so much, Jann. I really appreciate your taking the time to let me know. It means a lot.