Management by Toothache

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…

Cure Chronic Help-Seekers

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.

The Myth of Extraordinary

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?

Overcome the Disease to Please

Wanting approval is normal. Depending on it limits leadership.

Psychologist Harriet Braiker says the disease to please is compulsively saying “yes” when you want to say “no.”

Leaders do things others don’t like.

You can’t please all the people even some of the time.

How to overcome people-pleasing…

The Blindside Express

The hardest situation is the one you don’t see coming.

You prepare for trains you see coming. Scheduled meetings. Client appointments. Performance issues.

The Blindside Express turns a manageable issue into a crisis.

Determine how to show up when the inevitable happens.

Here’s how…

Courage Isn’t a Feeling

Fear doesn’t say, “Be a coward.”

It says, “Be careful.”

You need more information. The timing isn’t right. People might disapprove.

Fear says save yourself.

Courage is action when fear invites retreat.

Courage isn’t feeling brave. It’s answering the call while fear is on the line.