Obligation is a Funny Thing

Obligation is a funny thing. And not funny as “ha-ha” but funny as in “Isn’t this a modern irony?” The NFL owners voted almost unanimously this week, to move the Raiders franchise from Oakland to Las Vegas (a move fraught with its own implications in a professional sport full of Read more…

Actions That Compose the Work

The work is rarely the most entertaining or compelling, thing. The result of the work is a lot more compelling—good, bad, ugly, or indifferent. The process is rarely envied. The result of the work—the sausage, such as it were—is delicious on the plate, and worthy of being enjoyed. And sometimes, Read more…

Random Acts of Criticism

The fact of the matter is, there is more content to read and interpret now than ever before in the course of human history. Due to the ubiquity and persistence of Google in particular, and the internet in general, more people have more to read that ever before. The problem Read more…

Clearing Out the Cruft

Clearing out the cruft that surrounds your reactions and responses to conflicts in your life, can take at least a lifetime. Clearing out the cruft that surrounds your employee’s reactions and responses to conflicts in your organization can take at least 20 years. Clearing out the cruft that surrounds your Read more…

Collecting Data Points

Caring enough to notice the presence of patterns, trendlines, and data points is hard. Knowing what patterns, trendlines, and data points to pay attention to, what patterns, trendlines, and data points to prioritize, and what patterns, trendlines, and data points to ignore until later, is hard. Collecting patterns, trendlines, and Read more…

What Are You Paid To Do?

What are you paid to do? What do you believe you are paid to do? What does your employer tell you that you are paid to do? What does your spouse believe that you are paid to do? What does your family believe that you are paid to do? What Read more…

Seeing is Not Believing

Many times, at the intersection between human behavior and true innovative change, seeing is not believing. Or maybe that’s hearing… This often happens when the information we are confronted with about a coming future, doesn’t match with the information we have chosen to believe in the immediate present, about how Read more…

Slow Thoughts

When it’s time to be in a hurry, slow down. Slow down your expectations, slow down your actions, slow down interactions—ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. When it’s time to engage, do it with courage. Do the hard work of engaging with radical, meaningful self-awareness—physician, heal thyself. When you’re afraid Read more…

True Measure of Leadership Through Conflict

Leading people through conflict requires an emotional exchange between leaders and followers. The leader gives inspiration, charisma, respect, and provides role modeling of a vision of the future, to her followers. The follower gives encouragement, support, obedience, respect, and provides a feeling of self-worth through the act of deciding to Read more…