Best of thoughtLEADERS 2011: The Awesomest Posts Ever

This year is almost over so it’s time for the year in review list of the BEST posts we’ve published in 2011.  It’s time for the 2011 edition of The Figgies (here are the 2010 and 2009 editions).

This is an annual event here at the thoughtLEADERS Blog.  Here’s how it goes: this list is comprised of our most viewed, most forwarded, quirkiest, most provocative work as judged by you the readers. There’s also a kicker bonus post on the list just for good measure (it’s a “wayback” – and speaking of wayback, check out the photo on the trophy… yes… that’s me ’80’s style baby!).

Enjoy. Share. We’ve loved writing them. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading them. I don’t ask a lot of you folks so I have two small requests as your holiday gift to me (you are getting me something, right?):

1. Invite all your coworkers, friends, and family to come check out the blog and become readers. The only way we get better is by raising everyone’s game. I’m not asking a lot here.  If you found this blog helpful at all this year, here’s your chance to return the favor for all our hard work. Just email folks and tell ’em to come take a look.

2. Pick up a copy of One Piece of Paper: The Simple Approach to Powerful Personal Leadership.  Yes – I know I talk a lot about the book but it’s not for the money (I would have made more money if I worked in a sweat shop in Asia making sneakers).  I talk a lot about it because I’m evangelical about the topic.  Buy it.  Read it.  In the words of Roland Smith (CEO of Wendy’s) “It could change your life.”

Thanks for your incredible support in ’11 and best wishes for ’12! We hope to be a part of your future success!

Enough preamble. Here’s the best stuff we’ve written all year:

Most Viewed/Forwarded: How to Not Suck at Pitching Your Idea. The slideshow that accompanied this wookiee-based post got over 40,000 views!  Most idea pitches suck. They’re boring.  They’re incoherent.  They’re not compelling. If you want to deliver a great idea pitch, there are five simple things you must do.

Most Controversial: 3 Reasons You Should Shut Your Cake Hole. The power of silence shouldn’t be underrated. It can prevent you from lashing out in anger and destroying a relationship, or help you negotiate. Some readers rallied to the cry while other readers just cried. Was I too tough or spot on? You make the call!

Best Attack: 9 Valid Reasons for Killing a Coworker. If you demonstrate any of these 9 bad behaviors, your coworkers will hate you. Laziness, loud talking, butt kissing, and bad habits are just the start of this list.  And if guidance on killing coworkers isn’t a good attack posts, I don’t know what is.

Best Use of a Criminal to Make a Point: Leadership – Snake Plissken-Style. Snake Plissken from Escape from New York can teach you some great leadership lessons like how to take calculated risks and how to be bold in tough situations.

Best Advice from My Nana: How to Lead Like a Little Old Lady. My Nana passed away in 2011 but she leaves a great legacy.  Great leaders need to be tenacious, care about others, and demonstrate they love life. Nana exemplified these characteristics and knowing them can make you a better leader.

Best Guest Post: A Revealing Interview Question. Bob Herbold, former COO at Microsoft, shares the one question you should ask prospective candidates.  Bob got this buzzer-beater in just this past week and it’s a great read.

Best “How To” Post: How to Handle When Someone Else Takes Credit for Your Work. When someone else takes credit for your work, there are four steps you must take: seek clarification, request it be fixed, get mad, then get over it.

Most Practical Business Growth Advice: Successful Negotiating Requires You to Leave Money on the Table. If you always negotiate fairly and remember you have to build long term relationships rather than take short term gains, you’ll be much better off in the long run.

Best “Assy” Post: Gurus, Ninjas, and Morons – Losing Credibility One Business Card at a Time. I’ve found when I get “assy” that those posts resonate. Many people proclaim they are gurus, ninjas, and other silly titles. Giving yourself such a title can cause people to lose respect for you and it can cost you credibility

Best Use of a Vulcan to Make a Point: How Mr. Spock Helps You Make Better Decisions. Captain Kirk is a great leader but only because his instincts are checked by Spock. We owe it to our teams to surround ourselves with people capable of challenging us.

Best Guidance to Entrepreneurs: 5 Reasons Your Idea Pitch Sucks. Most idea pitches are terrible for a few avoidable reasons. Make your pitch clear, compelling, use good visuals, and solve a truly important problem if you want to succeed.

Wayback Winner: 10 Reasons Your Team Hates You (They Just Won’t Say It To Your Face). This is the greatest post I’ve ever written. It has it all: it’s a list, it feeds on fear, insecurity, and drama. Read it. I promise you’ll love it.

That’s all of ’em folks – our favorites from this past year. I hope you enjoy them. Thanks for all your support this year. I’m really looking forward to getting even edgier in 2012!

Again – please invite your friends to come check us out (just share, tweet, or email this post for starters) and also grab your copy of One Piece of Paper: The Simple Approach to Powerful, Personal Leadership.  I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC