Get Rice: Ronnie O'Brien Rice, Ph.D., Lawyer

Being a leader within a dying organization is a tough pill to swallow and it takes a special individual to do it. At some point or another, an individual becomes part of organization that is heading downward. However, with the right tools, one can make a positive difference. Some steps one can take to move the company into the right direction can include: assess the situation, approach the members of the organization, devise a plan together, make sacrifices to implement the plan, implement the plan, analyze the results, reward the members of the organization and restructure based on results obtained. These steps are not guaranteed; however, these are some steps that one can make to ensure that the organization’s growth is stabilized and increased. In present day society, companies are facing a lot of financial uncertainties and high unemployment rates. Organizations of every background are dealing with restructuring to ensure future success of the company. Assessing the ...

Chase your passion, purpose and dream as if your life depended on it because it does. In present day society, mediocrity has become the norm for many. Due to financial breakdowns in large corporations, dishonesty in community leaders, and other issues, the masses have felt a huge need to become complacent. The feeling to not venture out the box is coupled with a higher sense of guaranteed lifestyle. However, this is one of the greatest deaths to a society and economy. Without a person who has a passion for a specific career choice, it is hard to continue a productive society. If there is no one who is willing to perform the duties of medical doctor for the reasons of helping people, then there may be an increase of individuals who are in the medical field because of the wrong reasons. Instead of working in the career one enjoys, many work in a career for money or other immoral reasons. This creates disgruntled employees, low satisfaction levels in the workplace, and low levels ...

An ancient text states do not despise the day of small beginnings. In leadership, this passage is applicable within any organization. Many may want to see the bottom line of the company increase overnight while others may want everything handed to them on a silver platter. But, the leader who allows time for programs, budgets and organizations to grow over time from an infancy stage may have far more greater satisfaction, success and appreciation at the end. Success is not about making the most money or obtaining the biggest building. It is about serving people and the needs of the community. Whether that community is a neighborhood, state, country, or the world, success and leadership is about serving people who has needs. In order to serve those needs, it is essential for leaders to start from a fundamental platform in which someone is listening. Leadership connects the needs of the people to the idea of the individual who is listening. This can be seen with companies such as...

As a leader it is important to integrate children into roles that they may fill in the near future. Often times, companies fail to properly create and engage in a successful succession planning model. The recent death of Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple, shows the importance of succession planning. Given the fact that succession planning is needed, how does one go about engaging in one? There are many types of succession plans, but one of the most important methods or means is that of grooming children. The Child Savings Account Program (CSAP), Rice a recent facilitator, is an excellent method of helping the future leaders of tomorrow to develop the skills needed to hold leadership positions. CSAP is designed to teach students to save money by matching the amount of money that is placed into a savings account at local bank. Some may think that a program as simple as this is too ‘elementary.’ Furthermore, some may think that programs such as CSAP cannot have a significant effect on le...

Some may view a leader in an organization as either being controlling or helpful. What is the difference between being controlling and helpful? There are several distinguishing features including level of strictness within the organization, services rendered, organization’s growth, levels of creativity, and diversity. These are some statements one can consider when leading a company while determining some controlling or helpful perspectives. This post will either help one to transform from being a controlling to a helpful leader; or become a more helpful leader. Being a controlling leader can have severe effects on the organization including little to no creativity displayed within the company, low levels of productivity, and low periods of positive growth. If the leader controls too many aspects of the organization, it may decrease the level of creativity by not allowing new ideas, new methods of completing task, and new organization structures to be tested. Next, a controllin...

Labor Day is the recognition of American’s hard work that is provided throughout the years. In this post, Labor Day is going to be dissected in terms of employees’ enjoyment. During a time when job security seems to hide from many, even beyond the United States population, how does one find joy, fulfillment and purpose within a profession? Many explanations can be given in regards to finding joy, fulfillment and purpose in a profession. Some include knowing the reason for working in the environment, looking for entrepreneurial avenues to earning income, answering questions of job satisfaction, reevaluating line of work, believing in better styles of earning income, strategically planning success, understanding transitioning and/or increase productivity, and finding personal worth within employment opportunities. In all of these suggestions, there are some key elements to focus on when developing an appreciation and enjoyment for a profession which includes: becoming a producer;...

Starting from the beginning isn’t as bad as many may think. Starting from the beginning may provide a lot of insight to a person’s role in an organization. When one starts from the beginning, there are several advantages and disadvantages attached to doing it. The advantages include reconnection with the purpose of the organization; shaping and molding the future of the company, and leaving a personal mark on the organization. On the other hand, some disadvantages of starting from the beginning is the amount of work needed to involve everyone in the process, a necessary period of perceived unproductive work to reacquaint others with the vision, mission and goals of the organization; and potential resistance from those who don’t understand the broad approach of the process. The advantages of starting from the beginning include reconnecting with the purpose of the organization, shaping and molding the future of the company, and leaving a personal mark on the organization. Reconnectin...