Perspective
Win the Turns
In auto racing, there’s an expression that drivers win races in the turns. Unlike straightaways, where most drivers can keep their vehicles reasonably competitive with one another, curves upset the status quo. When a driver hits a turn, that’s when the unexpected can occur, when people make mistakes, and when a racer can gain an…
Read MoreInterview Your People
This past weekend, the calendar turned from 2021 to 2022. It’s a time to reflect on the past year and consider the opportunities yet to unfold. A collective ritual to learn about a wide range of happenings from the past year, including blockbuster movies and celebrity deaths. As 2021 closed, two such celebrity deaths captured…
Read MoreLevel-up Your Leadership
Have you ever watched a home remodeling show where a dilapidated house is stripped down to the studs and turned into a spectacular home? I’m always amazed by the before and after comparison shots. The contractor manages to turn a cramped bedroom into a luxurious sleeping space and an oddly configured living room into a…
Read MoreWhere is Your Plimsoll Line?
Business Insider recently reported that “nearly half a million shipping containers are stuck off the coast of Southern California as the ports operate below capacity.” Although many in the industry have seen problems mounting over the years, the COVID-19 global pandemic has increased product demand and caused “shortages of workers, equipment, and a lack of…
Read MoreHow to Make a Dent in the Universe
I bet I can make a few assumptions about you: You want your work to matter You want to make a difference You want those who work with you to be better because of your presence You want to get better along the way Essentially, you want to make a dent in the universe (or…
Read MoreLeading Through Trauma
I teach a class at Vanderbilt University called Leading Business Through Times of Crisis. This week we read a 2002 Harvard Business Review (HBR) article titled Leading Through Trauma. In the article, the authors argue that: “Although the human capacity to show compassion is universal, some organizations suppress it while others create an environment in which compassion is…
Read MoreA Double Take at Leadership
Have you ever been to the eye doctor? If so, you are likely familiar with a machine called a phoropter. While you look through the piece of equipment, the optometrist flips among different lenses in front of your eyes. The procedure is called a retinoscopy and it helps the doctor to determine your optimal lens…
Read MoreWhat are you grateful for?
On Friday of last week, my book, The Five-Week Leadership Challenge: 35 Actions Steps to Become the Leader You Were Meant to Be, made the Wall Street Journal bestseller list. I am thrilled about the book’s performance and the impact it is having. I’m also extremely grateful to: My partners at HarperCollins Leadership for publishing the book…
Read MoreLessons From Launching a Book
Today’s newsletter is going to be a little different. For the past few days, I have been traveling from event to event, promoting my new book, The Five-Week Leadership Challenge. From the first day I proposed the book to Harper Collins, to writing my first draft, to now, I have learned a lot. I’d like…
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