Learning from mistakes is hard. Ego, defensiveness, blame, avoidance, and fear prolong stupidity.
Learning from success is nearly impossible.
Workaholics succeed. Manipulators get ahead. Cutting corners pays for a while.
Failure asks questions. Success makes stupid look smart.
The Unexpected Blunder of Letting Success Make You Stupid
Informal leaders influence decisions without official consequences. They shape organizational direction outside formal structure. Influence Without Accountability Authority and accountability belong together. Formal leaders are officially responsible for decisions. When things go poorly,… Continue reading
Praise expresses approval. “Good job.”
Appreciation expresses value. “What you did matters.”
Praise and appreciation overlap. But praise leans toward performance. Appreciation leans toward the person.
Praise: “You handled that difficult conversation well.”
Appreciation: “I appreciate the courage you bring to difficult situations.”
Appreciation is fuel.
Dangers of being unappreciated?
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. Foolish leaders wait for toothaches. They…
Postpone the difficult conversation.
Ignore declining performance.
Tolerate destructive behavior.
Delay developing people.
Pain motivates fools. Wisdom acts before it hurts.
Here’s how…
The self-sufficient are doomed. Everyone needs help. But, chronic dependency turns daily responsibilities into requests for help.
Chronic help-seekers transfer ownership to supporters.
Don’t reward those who choose assistance over empowerment.
The goal of help is more than comfort. It’s capability.
Click to learn how.
Jack was a normal boy before he climbed the beanstalk. Alice was a normal girl before she went down the rabbit hole. Dorothy was an ordinary Kansas girl until she went to Oz.
Modern stories often feature extraordinary heroes. But ordinary heroes give us hope.
How to find extraordinary people?
