Leadership
The stabilizing influence in the room
Being the stabilizing influence in a crisis is great until it’s not. Calm is a good trait in a leader, but leaders need a diversity of opinions around them.
Leadership
Structural bias at the buffet
If you can see the structural bias in the buffet, you can fix your organization’s dysfunctional workplace culture. Also, water faucets.
Leadership
How paperweight wisdom can kill critical thinking
We like paperweight wisdom because it reinforces our own values and worldview. It absolves us of having to think deeply. Don’t be one of the shallow thinkers.
Conflict
What do a 7-year-old, a slice of cake, and a self-destructive project manager have to do with being a better leader?
A 7 year old’s moral relativism, a clash of cultures, and a self-destructive project manager show how a shift in perspective can help us be better leaders.
Courage
Racing to mediocrity: how to rationalize minus-one hiring
When a manager rationalizes hiring the lesser candidate, that’s minus-one hiring. It leads to institutionalized reliable mediocrity.
Decisions
Controlling the answers by controlling the questions
Some leaders manufacture outcomes by manipulating data and controlling the questions that get asked. That can lead to spectacular failure, and often does.
Communication
To think outside the box, they first must perceive the box
Expecting your team to think outside the box when they don’t even know there is a box will frustrate and baffle you. But there are things you can do to help.
Community
Knowing when to break the rules
This post is about roles and responsibilities, both in a team and in society. It includes a sports metaphor and a picture of me wearing an orange safety vest.
Decisions
Overcoming magical thinking
Leaders are responsible for overcoming magical thinking before it can sink their team or organization… or the entire economy.
Leadership
What leadership quality do you need to improve most?
There is no single leadership quality that will turn you into a great leader. Self improvement requires self awareness and situational awareness.