Intrinsic motivation is the willingness to devote your discretionary effort to a cause. At work, the intersection of purpose, belonging, and agency give you what the ancient Greeks called eudaimonia — the fullest expression of you in your most elevated state. Why it matters Intrinsically motivated employees are more likely to have positive attitudes towards their work, […]
Psychological confidence is the willingness to speak up respectfully, with the confidence of being taken seriously. Why it matters Organizations with high levels of psychological confidence have 27% lower turnover, 74% higher engagement, and 50% more productivity. All of this even as employees report significantly higher life satisfaction (29%), lower stress (74%), and more willingness […]
Preventive action reduces the probability of a catastrophe down the line. Complacency occurs when you do the same things over and over and are satisfied with the result. It’s so easy to get complacent. You find something that works for you, and you keep doing it. You institutionalize it as a best practice. That sounds […]
Stanford Law School students’ mob censorship of a federal judge was an exercise in close-minded self-harm. Psychological safety cannot co-exist with self-censorship. To paraphrase abolitionist Frederick Douglas, there can be no psychological safety when people feel compelled to suppress their views. Such self-censorship also violates the listener, who is deprived of learning those views. Why […]
SVB’s executives remind me of confederate general Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg. Both were so high on their own fumes that they didn’t bother to ask “what if” their rosy projections did not work out. Why it matters Having what-if conversations with trusted advisors can help you make wiser decisions and avoid the hubris that […]
Do sappers, trappers or zappers surround you? According to the Five Friends Theory, you start becoming the five people you spend time with the most. Why it matters You want to be the best version of yourself, so you want to surround yourself with people who bring that out in you. Sappers and trappers do […]
As a million dollar CEO, attracting and retaining the right-fit talent is crucial for your company’s success. In today’s competitive job market, having a clear employee value proposition gives you a significant advantage even if your competitors offer higher pay. Why it matters Employee disengagement and turnover rank among the highest costs you face, and […]
Could lessons from two Civil War battles help you lead your business into the future? Is there a possibility that history could be the key to seizing new opportunities for growth and avoiding the pitfalls of inhaling your own gas? Every year, a small group of leaders travels to Antietam and Gettysburg with me to […]
Have you ever had a team member who underperformed? And in that case, was the cause ever because you failed to set clear expectations? You’re not alone, this happens all the time, and today I’d like to share a simple formula that I use with my clients to help them change this. Clear Expectations Lead […]
ChatGPT is an ingenuity killer that allows you to innovate. Innovation is applied ingenuity. Somebody turns an idea into an opportunity. ChatGPT, Bing, and other AI platforms recycle conventional wisdom, but they can free you from the mundane so you can innovate. Why it Matters Innovation is the lifeblood of your company. Complacency is the […]
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