Category Archive: compassion

How to Escape Toxic Dissatisfaction

Dissatisfaction grows in the gap between aspiration and reality. Dissatisfaction that lingers in the gap between aspiration and reality defeats aspiration. You begin to think, “Why try?” Dissatisfaction is boredom with sameness. Dissatisfaction… Continue reading

How to Overcome the Distraction of Compassion

Distracted leaders are octopods spinning like tornados with sucker-filled tentacles clinging to ‘important’ trivialities. You can’t go eight directions at the same time and make meaningful progress. The centrifugal force of distraction drives… Continue reading

Embracing the Power to Predict the Next Normal

The challenge isn’t predicting the next normal. It’s creating it. I heard the term “next normal” when a friend texted me from a Board retreat. I believe McKinsey used “next normal” first. Leaders… Continue reading

How to Stop Asking, “How are You?” and Create Real Conversation

Stop asking stupid questions like: How are you? How are you doing? How are you feeling? You already know how people are doing. The future feels like mushy spaghetti. Answers to, “How are… Continue reading

Dear Dan: Contacting Laid off Employees will Be Patronizing

My recommendation to keep in contact with laid off employees elicited the following response. “Do you think contacting people and asking them how they are doing while they are laid off will be… Continue reading

How to Show Up When Emotion is Hot and Decisions Matter

Emotional heat tears things down. You resent a company policy, emotional heat complains about the entire company. You don’t like a team member, you undermine. A leader disappoints, you attack. Any fool can… Continue reading