7 Ways to Make Plans that Work

The thing I hate about planning is the feeling that something is getting done. Planning is talking, not doing.

A collective sigh of relief at the end of planning sessions predicts disaster.

Plans don’t work, people do.

You plan a disaster if you rely on plans made annually.

Short-term plans distill into behaviors.

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When Being a “Bad Leader” Is Good

You could be a “bad leader” for doing the right thing!

Servant leadership doesn’t win popularity contests in authoritarian environments. Showing up as a humble leader in a dysfunctional culture makes you the problem.

Here are seven ways to be a “bad leader” in a good way.

Toxic Behaviors that Poison Teams

Toxic teams spiral inward and downward.

Reaching high requires high-functioning teams.

How to lead a toxic team:

Assume silence is agreement.
Question motives.
Avoid tough topics.
Tolerate drifters.
Interrupt each other.
Get lost in the weeds.

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Stop Offering Encouragement – Do This Instead

Some people reject encouragement. You say something good. They reply with something bad. Every affirmation is met with, “Yeah, but.”

Sometimes you reject self-encouragement. You say to yourself, “You got this,” and your inner critic says, “No you don’t.”

Use curiosity to encourage people. Here’s how.

The Leaderly Pursuit of Advice

I recently encouraged a leader to seek advice from a member of her board. She said that she wanted to talk to him but was concerned about perception. Would he think she’s weak?

I explained that he will think you’re smart if you do it skillfully.

Successful leaders seek wisdom from others.

Questions that Encourage Post-Traumatic Growth

Turbulence isn’t going away. It often increases.

Crap is fertilizer. Post-traumatic growth is the norm.

About 7 in 100 people experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their lifetime.

Approximately 50 to 66 in 100 people experience post-traumatic growth (PTG).

Here’s how to ask questions that make PTG likely.