Solving the Right Problem

Leaders are expected to respond quickly. When something goes wrong, the pressure is to act, correct, and move forward. Speed and decisiveness often feel like competent leadership. However, the risk is that fast responses often come before full understanding. This...

The Discipline of Leading Without Labels

Leadership requires constant interpretation of people. In order to move quickly and make sound decisions, leaders naturally categorize behavior. Our brains are very good at recognizing patterns and categorizing those behaviors. A problem arises, though, when we begin...

The Leadership Skill That Makes Leaders More Effective

Most leaders believe they listen well. I believed it too. Then I started paying closer attention to what people actually need from the person leading them. I learned something that surprised me. People do not want a perfect answer, or a brilliant solution, or wise...

Leading Well When the Year Slows Down

As the year comes to a close, many leaders experience a quiet shift. Momentum from earlier months still lingers, yet the pace changes. Calendars thin out. Meetings slow. Energy moves inward. Some leaders feel pressure to finish strong. Others feel relief. Many feel...

Everyday Behaviors that Help People Feel Seen and Valued

Most leaders I speak to are already aware of the importance of helping people feel seen and valued. The challenge is putting that belief into action. It’s important to understand that making people feel seen and valued rarely happens because of some grandiose gesture....

Shaping Culture by What You Reward and Allow

Every organization has appetites. Some appetites are healthy, like creativity, empowerment, and teamwork. Others, like selfishness, ego, and entitlement, are unhealthy. As leaders, we may think we are neutral observers of these forces, but, in reality, we are the...