Author Archive

How Smart Teams Make Timely Decisions

Consensus decision-making is an obstacle to success when groups are large, and issues are complicated.

Requiring 100% agreement unnecessarily complicates decisions.

Forget consensus; aim for commitment when making decisions.

Building a Learn-It-All Organization

Microsoft (MS) missed the Smartphone revolution. Windows operating system never got traction in the mobile sector. Zune – Microsoft’s music player was a colossal failure. The launch of Xbox One required a retooling of their approach to gaming. They weren’t learning fast enough.

CEO Satya Nadella is building a learn-it-all mindset at Microsoft.

5 Ways to Express Empathy Like a Leader

Feeling bad isn’t always bad. Stretching yourself creates uncertainty. Tough issues cause discomfort. Learning new skills calls for courage.

The purpose of empathy is empowerment.

Here are 5 ways to express empathy like a leader.

Consensus Poisons Dynamic Options

Never make decisions until there’s disagreement.

A camel is a horse designed by consensus.

Consensus distills dynamic options into dull decisions.

Complex situations have many solutions. People aren’t thinking when everyone agrees.

Consensus empowers obstructionists.

You haven’t found the best decision when everyone agrees. You found the easiest decision.

The Persecution of Joy

people persecute joy out of life. How many people are busy and sad? How many are miserable while seeking the good life? Part of the problem is daily conversations that oppress joy.

When life is miserable, words have something to do with it.

Do you know the one rule for words?

The #2 Behavior Leaders Neglect

I asked three of the best question-askers, “What helps leaders ask great questions?”

The second most important behavior of leadership is asking questions. The first is being honest.

Don’t worry if you aren’t the smartest person in the room; be honest and ask questions.

Curiosity sees more than congealed brilliance.