Don’t Fight Spoon Wars

We use four spoons in our house. The decorative sugar spoon is for coffee creamer.

The “fancy eating spoon” with a long handle is for ice cream.

My wife uses the wrong spoons. She uses the fancy eating spoon for yogurt!

I tried to explain spoon protocol but failed.

The Superhero of Compassion

You don’t need strength to show compassion. It’s the opposite.

Frailty is the channel of tenderness.

The “strong” say, “What’s the problem? Don’t be a baby.” A tender heart doesn’t act strong.

Hostility builds silos. A tender heart builds networks.

Forging Clarity in the Fog

You abandon the future when you run from uncertainty.

Don’t manage things that should change.

The future is forged in the fog.

#1. Clarity enables performance.
#2. Confusion is an opportunity.
#3. “Not knowing” is the path to innovation.

Don’t wait for clarity; create it.

Here’s how…

Stop Chasing Calm

Seeking calm is stressful.

The more you focus on inner calm the more you sense its absence.

Good feelings aren’t a roadmap. Calm isn’t a compass.

Stress means you care.
Discomfort indicates commitment.
Anxiety says, “This matters.”

Calm is a consequence, not a goal. When stress goes up, redirect your attention.

The Weakness Advantage

Weakness is an asset. 

Don’t wait until you have it all together to lead. You’re disqualified from leadership if you don’t have weaknesses.

Make the most of frailties.

Your struggle is your laboratory.

Keep reading for more insight.

The Humility Advantage

Jim Collins said, “Humble leaders look in the mirror when things go wrong and out the window when things go right.”

Arrogance advantages self over others.

Competence without humility creates dangerous capability.

Humility puts strength to work for others.

Here’s how to spot the humility advantage.