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Opinion

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The Elbert Files: History-making leaders

People like Mary Sellers, Teresa Wahlert and the late Mo Dana are the reason I enjoy covering business.

All are, or were, exceptional chief executives who, in addition to having great ideas, were successful communicators …

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On Leadership: Managing people for the first time? Successful leaders offer advice.

When I was a recent college graduate, I got a job leading a nonprofit organization and started managing a team of employees and volunteers. I quickly made numerous rookie errors, one of which was hiring …

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On Leadership: Leading when you don’t have all the answers

When I was younger, I assumed that leaders knew what they were doing. I worked at various companies where strategy or plans were not obvious or not communicated well, and I was annoyed when my …

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On Leadership: In-office vs. remote vs. hybrid: Which model is best for your business?

My first job out of high school and during college was working as a secretary in a social services agency. I punched a clock and was expected to be physically present at my desk during …

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The Elbert Files: Local elections

Dave Elbert is on assignment and will take a brief hiatus on his weekly column. The Elbert Files will resume in a few weeks.

City council and school board races in Iowa are traditionally nonpartisan. …

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The Elbert Files: Airport history, part 3: A new terminal

When Don Smithey retired as director of Omaha’s Eppley Airfield in 2009 at age 68, Des Moines seemed like a good place to live – midway between Wisconsin, eastern Iowa and Missouri, where Smithey’s relatives …

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On Leadership: Should you hire your family members to work in the family business?

This column is part of a series on family-owned business issues.

Earlier in my career, I worked in wealth management and advised many clients who owned multi-generational family businesses. One story stands out – a …

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The Elbert Files: Roadside Iowa

I’m a sucker for roadside attractions.

When I saw the new book “Secret Iowa: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure” ($27, published by St. Louis-based Reedy Press), I had to have it. The …

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On Leadership: Communication is key in family businesses

This column is the third in a series on family-owned business issues.

While clear communications are critical in any business, family-owned companies often face unique challenges when talking about the enterprise. Family issues and feelings …

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The Elbert Files: Airport history, part 2

Jets and the middle years

In 1941, when members of the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce landed a U.S. Army National Guard base at the Des Moines Airport, they secured the airfield’s future for the …