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Ask the Right Questions: Build the Team
Leadership is often viewed through the narrow lens of productivity and performance. We see our team members for a fraction of their day, judge them based on metrics and deliverables, and attempt to mold their behavior to fit our expectations. But what if we're asking...
Embracing Perspectives: A Path to Deeper Understanding and Harmony
While scrolling on my phone, I stumbled upon a captivating podcast. It was a biography of Benjamin Franklin, a subject that might take time to spark interest. However, the podcast's unique and unexpected perception of Franklin intrigued me, drawing me in. The hosts of...
Leaving a Legacy: Small Acts, Big Impact in Daily Life
Seated in this bustling airport, the stark contrast of the people I've encountered here is striking. From the harried business traveler to the boisterous vacationing family, airports serve as a microcosm of human behavior. Yet, what truly captivates me is the way...
Understanding the Art of Productivity: Prioritizing Practice Over Perfection to Elevate Your Performance
The emergency response and leadership sectors are environments where the volume of training versus its quality is a constant dialogue. What if I told you that focusing on the bulk (quantity) of training, rather than the perfection of training, could enhance your skill...
Unlocking Your True Potential Evolving from Fluid to Crystallized Intelligence
Ever feel like your edge is slipping away as you get older? You're not alone. While we're all familiar with the trajectory of our physical abilities, our mental acuity also goes through its peaks and valleys. What if I told you there's a way to survive and thrive...
Redefining Deserve and Responsibility
A few years ago, I tackled the concept of what people deserve a blog post. It’s a topic that stirs plenty of emotions, swinging between the joy of earned rewards and the bitterness of perceived injustices. Think about it—didn't get that promotion you thought you...
Why Googling ‘How To Be A Good Leader’ Won’t Help
It's pretty standard for leaders or aspiring leaders to strive for improvement. Leadership is a skill that many may not have initially anticipated needing. Often, individuals are hired with the primary goal of being effective contributors to their organizations. Over...
Embrace Preparedness: Turn Obstacles into Opportunities for Leadership Success
Preparedness isn't just for the 'preppers' out there. It is for the leaders and aspiring leaders. I was listening to a podcast from the former CEO of Netflix. He was talking about company culture and how Netflix turned an idea into a successful company. What struck...
Embracing Collaborative Problem-Solving for Organizational Success
Here is an unpopular fact: your idea isn't always the best. In the modern workplace, we are problem solvers. Ironically, a lot of the problems we are trying to solve are self-induced. Yet, that is the way of organizational culture. Problem-solving is a function of...
Showing Up for Your Team
Effective leadership is often perceived as a collection of skills and qualities necessary for guiding a team or organization toward success. However, my personal experiences have enlightened me that the most crucial aspect of effective leadership is something much...
Elevating Leadership: The 3 C’s of Performance Improvements Through Insightful Questions
Effective leadership is akin to a multifaceted puzzle. Each piece represents a critical skill or quality—communication, empathy, resilience, to name a few—that, when properly assembled, can unlock unparalleled team performance and organizational success. Among these...
The Transformative Power of Immersive Learning and the Pitfalls of Shortcuts
We all inherently understand that actual growth in life springs from our journey to achieve something meaningful. This could be reaching a physical destination through the adventure of travel or acquiring new knowledge and skills that enrich our minds and souls....
Building Authentic Connections at Work: The Antidote to the Loneliness Epidemic
In an era when work-life boundaries are blurring and professional demands often spill over into our personal lives, the sanctity of social connections in the workplace has never been more crucial. Yet, paradoxically, reports of loneliness in the workplace are on the...
Mastering Time Management: A Blueprint for Leaders
Time is the one commodity you can't afford to waste. Whether you're a seasoned police leader guiding the frontlines, a manager steering projects success, or an entrepreneur navigating business, mastering the art of time management is not just an option—it's a...
Choosing Socks and Showing Up
Choosing one's socks is typically a low decision-making priority for the average person daily. It usually falls somewhere between deciding to wake up and shower vs. pushing the snooze button and which type of bagel to order on their way to the office. Unless, of...
Redefining Leadership in the Wilderness
There is a common misconception that leadership can be given or bestowed upon someone. We often think of leaders as individuals who are born with certain innate qualities that make them stand out from the rest. However, when we look at the wilderness, we realize that...
On Legacy, Understanding, and Disappointment
The concept of creating a legacy has been ingrained in our society for centuries. From the ancient Egyptians building magnificent pyramids to modern-day entrepreneurs leaving a mark on the world with their innovative ideas, the desire to leave behind something that...
The Cycle of Influence: Understanding Leadership in the Context of Human Connection and Belonging
Influence is reciprocal. It is easy to say we are the sum of the five people we spend most of our time with. We tend to adopt their habits, preferences, and speech patterns. But we often overlook the fact that our actions can have a significant impact on those around...
Ethical Boundaries in AI and Innovation: The Imperative of Human Connection
In a bold move, Google recently scrapped its Olympic Gemini ad after facing intense backlash. The ad, which featured a father using Gemini AI to help his daughter write a letter to Olympic hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, was initially met with a positive reception....
Building Character
**Listen to the article using the A.I. clone of my voice from ElevenLabs.** Are you curious about how to develop your character? It's a fact that many of us rarely engage in deliberate actions aimed at enhancing our character. We often endure circumstances that expose...
The Two Pillars of Effective Communication: Validation and Respect
In the labyrinth of human interaction, two seldom-discussed principles can guide you toward success. These principles are simple yet profound and applicable in various contexts, from boardroom discussions to everyday conversations. They revolve around the...
Do the Work
Sometimes, it pays to do the work. Every time I pull up YouTube or my favorite blogs, admittedly to doomscroll, I get inundated with hacks. Life hacks, productivity hacks, car hacks, life hacks, you name it. Each system is a new shortcut in life. When does the madness...
Slowing Down and Taking the Time to Invest
When we involve our children in our daily tasks, it inevitably slows us down. However, perhaps therein lies the real virtue. This slowing down allows us to be present, to witness their learning and growth, and to nurture their curiosity. It makes us appreciate life's...
The Silent Scroll: Unraveling the Decline in Social Media Posts
The world of social media has undeniably been a buzzing hive of activity. Yet, a recent trend suggests a paradoxical shift. While users continue to spend significant time on these platforms, their active contribution in the form of posts has diminished...
Embracing the Loneliness of Leadership: Escaping the Insanity of the Majority
“The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” — Marcus Aurelius. In our journey through life, we often struggle between the desire to conform and the urge to assert our individuality....
The Power of Opportunity: Unveiling the True Potential in Every Individual
In our day-to-day lives, we often encounter situations where we see individuals brimming with potential but lacking the platform to showcase it. It is unfortunate that many talented people go unnoticed because they are not given the opportunities they deserve. This...
The Unseen Bridge: How Do You Want To Be Remembered?
Have you ever pondered upon a question that's as uncomplicated as it is profound: how do you want to be remembered? This poses an opportunity to synchronize our deeds with the legacy we wish to leave behind, an urging to shape a life that mirrors our most profound...
How to Pitch a New Idea – With Buy In!
Challenging established norms and introducing fresh, unconventional ideas can catalyze innovation and improvement within an organization. However, voicing these unique perspectives can often feel like navigating a minefield fraught with risk. Here's a well-thought-out...
Embrace the Shift: A Guide to Navigating Your Career Transition
It's not uncommon to find yourself yearning for a career change yet feeling trapped by perceived obstacles. The desire for something new can be overwhelming, but the path toward it may seem impossible. Yet, with the right mindset and approach, you can overcome these...
The Agile Learner
In today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, the ability to adapt and learn new skills is more critical than ever before. This concept, often called learning agility, is the capacity to extract lessons from experiences and apply them in novel situations, thus...
Navigating Career Crossroads: Recognizing When It’s Time to Quit Your Job
Many workers have contemplated their career paths in recent years and boldly decided to resign. The phenomenon, aptly termed "The Great Resignation," saw an unprecedented 50 million people voluntarily leaving their jobs in 2022, surpassing the previous year's record...
Leadership and Knowledge
In today's fast-paced world, we are constantly bombarded with information. But is it necessary—or even beneficial—to know everything? This question delves into the philosophical concept of ' irrational ignorance,' an idea that suggests the deliberate decision to...
The Art of Leaving: When to Quit Your Job and Why It’s Harder Than You Think
In an era where job switches seem increasingly commonplace, many find it challenging to decide when to quit. The "Great Resignation" wave, as coined by Anthony Klotz, saw a staggering 50 million people relinquish their jobs in 2022 alone[^1^]. Yet, the decision to...
Why You Need ‘Captains Of Culture’ In Your Organization
In the dynamic business world, a strong company culture is critical for success. It's a powerful element that can shape an organization's trajectory, influencing everything from employee engagement to financial performance. Today, we will delve into this topic,...
Neuroscience of Self-Disclosure: Leveraging Personal Narratives for Effective Leadership
Regarding conversation, we often migrate towards a favorite topic: ourselves. According to various studies, people spend 60% of conversations about themselves, increasing to 80% when communicating via social media[^1^]. But why do we have such a fascination with...
Bridging the Leadership Gap: Gen-Z vs Gen-X
Understanding the differences between generations is critical in an era where the workplace is evolving rapidly. Gen-Z employees' unique perspectives and values reshape traditional leadership approaches as they enter the workforce. Born between 1997 and 2012, this...
Contribution and Recognition in Policing
The contemporary workforce is not merely seeking employment but a purposeful and gratifying career. This applies to every field, including law enforcement. Police officers aspire to feel like they are making a significant impact on their society and communities....
The Future of Leadership: Trends to Watch
The future of leadership is constantly changing as our world evolves. From workplace dynamics to parenting styles, supervisors, leaders, and parents must be mindful of emerging trends to build cohesive teams and strong relationships in their professional and personal...
The Art of Authentic Connection in a Disconnected World
Photo by Erika Fletcher on Unsplash We all know them. Those rare individuals who exude a kind of magnetic energy — an aura of authenticity that draws us in and makes us feel valued, seen, and understood. They’re the ones who possess a unique ability to turn any...
Run your meetings like a board: Give specific roles to attendees.
Effective project management is crucial to achieving success in any venture. A well-managed project sets clear goals, establishes a plan, assigns tasks, and tracks progress to completion. However, managing a project is no easy task. It requires coordination and...
Transform Your Existence: How Action Overrides Motivation to Forge Personal Growth and Success
New goals do not deliver results. Unique lifestyles have results. The Misconception of Motivation We do this dance every year. We plot out how we want our lives to be different, wait two weeks, and then return to our everyday routines. Our ‘this is going to be the...
Embracing Originality: A Journey Beyond Conformity
Few names shine as brightly in literature as Herman Melville, the 19th-century American novelist, short story writer, and poet. His novel "Moby-Dick," a tale of obsession and revenge against a monstrous white whale, is considered one of the greatest American novels....
Title: Saying ‘No’ to Management: The Power of Perspective Over Ego
**Listen to article with assistance from ElevenLabs** Picture this: You're in a meeting with your boss. They propose an idea or approach that you fundamentally disagree with. Your gut screams 'NO!' but how do you communicate this without damaging your relationship or...
The Only Thing You Are Entitled to is Hard Work
In the quiet corners of our minds, we often harbor a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of entitlement. We believe success should come to us effortlessly as if it were our birthright. But the stark truth is this: the only thing we are entitled to is hard work....
Stop Over-complicating Generational Leadership – Just Give a Hoot and Lead
**Listen to the article with an AI clone of my voice from ElevenLabs** You're stuck in your head with this generational leadership stuff. You're overthinking it—big time. Millennials, Gen Z, Baby Boomers… Who cares? We're making this too complicated, and it's time we...
The Significance of Trying and Its Influence on Success
In the words of Theodore Roosevelt, "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena...who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly." This quote underscores a powerful truth: it's all about trying. The idea that testing is all that...
Lessons from Nature: A Blueprint for Effective Leadership
As a co-founder and director of a non-profit, I have spent much time outdoors. Thinking, observing, and learning from our world have satisfied me exceptionally. Regarding being an effective leader, manager, or designated person in charge, nature has been my most...
The Future of Leadership: Embracing Ethics and Diversity for Success
In the realm of leadership, we stand at a crossroads. The traditional leadership models, often characterized by homogeneous teams and questionable ethical practices, are increasingly being challenged. As we look toward the future, it's clear that embracing ethics and...