Leadership
Vision, influence and the craft of leading people.
7 Reasons Your Team Isn’t Listening
Some people listen because they’re afraid not to. It’s self-preservation, not respect. What if people couldn’t wait for you to ope...
The Unexpected Blunder
Learning from mistakes is hard. Ego, defensiveness, blame, avoidance, and fear prolong stupidity. Learning from success is nearly...
The 5:1 Challenge
Take the 5:1 challenge. Every negative comment requires five positives. Don’t ignore problems. Make encouragement your default. Ma...
Courage Isn’t a Feeling
Fear doesn’t say, “Be a coward.” It says, “Be careful.” You need more information. The timing isn’t right. People might disapprove...
The Blindside Express
The hardest situation is the one you don’t see coming. You prepare for trains you see coming. Scheduled meetings. Client appointme...
Overcome the Disease to Please
Wanting approval is normal. Depending on it limits leadership. Psychologist Harriet Braiker says the disease to please is compulsi...
The Myth of Extraordinary
Jack was a normal boy before he climbed the beanstalk. Alice was a normal girl before she went down the rabbit hole. Dorothy was a...
Cure Chronic Help-Seekers
The self-sufficient are doomed. Everyone needs help. But, chronic dependency turns daily responsibilities into requests for help....
Management by Toothache
Everyone knows what happens when you don’t brush your teeth. But some don’t do it. Wise leaders act with the future in mind. Fooli...
Feeling Unappreciated
Praise expresses approval. “Good job.” Appreciation expresses value. “What you did matters.” Praise and appreciation overlap. But...
Beware the Accountability Gap
Informal leaders influence decisions without official consequences. They shape organizational direction outside formal structure....