Best of thoughtLEADERS 2012: A 55 Gallon Drum of Awesomesauce

This year is almost over so it’s time for the year in review list of the BEST posts we’ve published in 2012.  It’s time for the 2012 edition of The Figgies (here are the 2009, 2010 and 2011 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.

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 (especially if you’re looking for last-minute holiday gifts for bosses, team members, or your mom – she’ll love it).  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 ’12 and best wishes for ’13! We hope to be a part of your future success!

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

Best Social Media Advice: 8 Great Tools for Building Your Blog. While I don’t usually write about blogging, the tips and tools shared in this post resonated.  I’ve listed out my favorite tools and techniques for building your blog following and making your blog successful.  Also check out 31 Tips for Growing Your Blog too.

Best Guidance to Entrepreneurs: The Tech is the Easy Part. So many technology entrepreneurs get hyperfocused on their technology.  The thing is, that’s the easy part.  This post covers how to deal with the more difficult challenges you’ll face.

Best Punch in the Face: Take off the Kid Gloves to Resolve Disputes.  Conflict is a way of life for many of us.  Occasionally you need to get aggressive if you want to resolve disputes quickly and effectively.  Here’s how to throw that professional punch in the face.

Best Product Development Guidance: Why Product Simplicity Always Wins. We make our products and services way too complicated which makes them difficult to sell and produce.  Sometimes the best path to go is the simplest one.

Best Superhero Team Building Advice: How to Build a Great Team Like the Avengers.  You’ve gotta admit The Avengers was one of the greatest movies ever.  Even better, you can learn a lot about building and leading a great team from them too.

Best Advice from a Dog: A Dog’s Eye View of Being Happier at Work.  My dog Gunner wrote this great post on how to make your life at work happier and more tolerable.  Everyone knows Jack Russell Terriers are really smart.  Read this post to see how smart they really are.

Best Guest Post: Why You Should Always Lead with a Story.  Paul Smith, author of Lead with a Story, discusses how you can use storytelling to be a more effective leader.  This post got tons of traction, shares, and reactions.  A definite must-read.

Best Advice from an Old Man: Leadership Lessons from My Dad.  A long time ago, my dad wrote some leadership guidance for me before I went off to West Point.  That guidance is just as relevant today and can be applied to any leadership situation.

Best Wookiee-Inspired Post: Why All Leaders Need a Wookiee.  Chewbacca is awesome.  There’s no disputing that.  What leaders need to realize is they need to have a Chewbacca of their own on their team.  He’s loyal.  He’s the muscle.  He gets things done.  Learn why you too need your own wookiee.

Best Reading List: 12 Most Consequential Books for a New Leader.  David Dye shares 12 great leadership books every leader should have in their library.  There are several classics on here as well as a few great new releases.  It’s must-read reading for leaders new and old.

Best Top 10 List: 10 Tough Questions Every Self-Aware Leader Needs to Answer.  Todd Cherches shares 10 questions leaders must ask themselves.  It’s a two-part post (the first 5 questions are here and the next 5 are here).  How many do you know the answers to?

7 Deadliest Sins: The 7 Deadly Sins of Leadership.  Dante nailed it with the seven deadly sins.  I’ve simply taken a new take on that list and provided the seven deadly sins of leadership (as well as discussing how you can stay out of the inferno).

Best Use of a Roller Coaster: What Amusement Parks can Teach You about Professional Development.  Roller coasters are awesome but did you know you can also learn a thing or three about how to improve yourself simply by taking a trip to the amusement park?

Bonus Post Because I Don’t Want this List to Have 13 Items: Authentic Leadership Means Eliminating Buzzwords and BS.  I’m superstitious so I can’t have the “best of” list only contain 13 items so I’m tossing this one in to avoid any bad juju.  Besides, any post that’s about cutting the crap definitely deserves to be on the list.

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 2013!

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