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Why Fear Flatlines a Team, and What to Do Instead

Is fear a good motivator? It can be. Many years ago, my old boss said, “If you really want to get people to do something, make them afraid.” He wasn’t wrong. Fear does prompt people to act. The problem is, they’re only acting to alleviate the fear. When the.

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Why ROI Isn’t Always the Best Lens for Big Decisions

When you have a financial lens on decision-making sometimes it’s hard to consider any other factors.  Leaders trained in a traditional ROI model often default to it in every situation.  I saw this play out in unforgettable meeting I attended over a decade ago. I still remember exactly what.

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Why Habits are More Powerful Than Rules for Humans of Every Age

What’s the difference between a habit and a rule? I had a recent experience with some teenagers that illustrates why habits are more powerful. I was hosting several teens in my home for a weekend. At the end of each meal a few of the kids consistently said thank.

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The Mean Voice in Your Head is Not Yours

We all have an internal talk track. What we often fail to recognize is, the words fueling our internal dialogue didn’t originate with us. When you step into a high stakes situation, what’s going on inside your head? Any of these sound familiar? Nobody likes a show-off. Who do.

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Why Participation Trophies Erode Confidence

You didn’t win, but here’s a trophy for trying. Go you! Participation trophies are emblems of millennial entitlement, a well-intended effort to make kids feel special, even when they lost. It’s time to call it a day on this ruse. Kids know when they lose! If you want to.

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Comparison: Does it Help You? Or Hurt You?

Humans have been called the comparing creatures. Our brains are hardwired to compare ourselves to others, and assess how we stack up. It’s how the human race evolves. We build on the accomplishments of others. Can you imagine one lioness looking at another lioness wondering, “How does she get.

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Why Humans Need to Think it’s Our Idea

Do you like being told what to do? Most of us don’t.  As humans, we want to feel in control of our own destiny, or at the very least, our day.  To thrive, we all need a sense of agency.  Without it, we’re powerless, flung about by the winds.

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How I Used Leadership Books to Raise Toddlers

Have you ever been faced with a challenge that you don’t know how to handle? Were you ever in a situation where you felt overwhelmed and unprepared? We’ve all been there. My instinct in these situations is to reach for a book. Nowadays it might also be a YouTube.

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A Letter for the Special Ones

Intellectually, you know that other people adore their children.  In fact, it’s in your best interest to want people to adore their children.  When people love and care for their children, the world benefits.  Social science backs this up.  People who care about their children make their best effort.

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Why the Pursuit of Consistency Makes You Irrelevant

The team was concerned.  They were making an organizational change.  At the same time, they were under pressure to move into new markets.  People were anxious. They believed the internal conditions weren’t stable enough to pursue new opportunities externally. They were wrong. My father once told me, “If you.

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