Transparency Without Regret

Transparency builds trust until it goes too far. Oversharing sinks confidence as fast as secrecy.

Transparency isn’t telling everything. It’s speaking what matters. Its purpose is to build trust, clarity, and momentum. It’s not a virtue. Transparency is a skill.

People stop guessing when leaders share intentions, reasons, and goals.

Nicknames for Lousy Leaders

Bob Bumblehoof is the generic name I use for the character who exemplifies every weakness I want to poke fun at. If Bob wasn’t Bumblehoof, what would you name him or her?

If you have a nickname for your boss that you’re afraid to use, this post is for you.

The #1 Driver of Performance is Belonging

The foundation of wellbeing is belonging.

“High belonging was linked to a whopping 56% in job performance, a 50% drop in turnover risk, a 75% reduction in sick days.” HBR

Belonging is the #1 driver of performance, but only 6% of leaders recognize it.

7 People Who Don’t Count

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.”

7 People who don’t count:

Sir Sits-A-Lot – Always observing, never engaging.

Mrs. Hindsight – Knows everything after the fact.

Captain Critic – Leads no one, judges everyone.

More…

Lessons From Ruts

I brought home a new Jeep Wrangler for a weekend test drive.

We have a six-foot grassy bank leading up to our lawn. I thought, “Perfect. Let’s see if this baby can climb!”

I engaged the 4-wheel drive and hit the bank with confidence.

This is what happened next. Lessons from ruts.

Restless Optimism Not Toxic Positivity

Pessimists can’t lead. Leading is the practice of restless optimism.

Contentment that induces slumber degrades you. Accept your present. Stay hungry to improve. 

“Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.” Thomas A. Edison

Passion is optimistic discontent.