August 31, 2026
Everyone Noticed It. No One Said Anything.
A new hire's small habit went unmentioned for months because no one wanted to be the one to say something. By the time it mattered, it was a much harder conversation.
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Leadership Insights & Practical Wisdom
22 articles
August 31, 2026
August 24, 2026
Your Employees Get More Than One Paycheck From You Each Week
People get four "paychecks" from you every week, and only one shows up in direct deposit. Which of the other three are you shortchanging?
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August 16, 2026
The Conversation That’s Costing You
The most expensive thing on your team right now may be a conversation nobody is having. It won’t show up in the budget — but the cost shows up somewhere.
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August 10, 2026
The Difficult Conversation “Move” Most Leaders Miss
“I could have handled part of this better too.” Six words that make a tough conversation dramatically easier — and that most leaders never say out loud.
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August 9, 2026
Why the Best 21st Century Leaders Are Question Askers
The best leaders of the twentieth century were question answerers. The best leaders of this century are question askers. An insight that arrived on the side of a highway in a hurricane.
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August 6, 2026
When “Adding Too Much Value” Becomes a Bad Habit
You improve the idea by 5 percent. You reduce the contributor's ownership by 50 percent. Marshall Goldsmith's most surprising leadership bad habit.
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August 4, 2026
My Favorite “Magic Trick” for Defusing Heated Conversations
Someone's filter drops and a harsh comment lands on you. One calm question — borrowed from a trial lawyer — pulls the whole exchange back from the ledge.
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August 1, 2026
The Goal of Leadership Development Is Not Learning
If learning is ALL that happens as the result of a workshop, we have failed. Learning is only a stepping stone — and too many leaders get stuck there without ever crossing the river.
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July 22, 2026
When the Storm Comes, Are You Cattle or Bison?
Cattle turn away from a winter storm. Bison lower their heads and walk into it. The conversation you keep postponing works exactly the same way.
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July 1, 2026
Does the “Criticism Sandwich” Really Work?
You say something positive, deliver the tough news, then top it off with a second positive. Is that an effective approach? My answer is yes AND no.
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May 1, 2026
Have You Made a 'To-Not-Do' List Lately?
Most of us have drawn up thousands of To-Do lists. But how many of us have ever drawn up a "To-Not-Do" list? It may be one of the most powerful productivity tools you're not using.
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April 1, 2026
Nurturing the Art of Self-Coaching
When it comes to strengthening your team's performance, there's only one thing as powerful as taking the time to coach your direct reports: teaching them to self-coach.
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March 1, 2026
At the Intersection of Food, Influence, and Leadership
You need someone's help. You may or may not be his boss. He's known you for 6 minutes. He is very busy, and offering free food isn't an option. Now what?
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February 1, 2026
Want to Be the Boss Everyone Loves?
What if YOU were the leader people lined up to work for? With your "fabulous boss" reputation, you'd have your pick of the best applicants — skilled, motivated, and hard-working.
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January 1, 2026
Do You Bring Enough of Yourself to Work?
Don't airbrush vulnerability, emotions, eccentricities, and imperfections out of your leadership style. Here's why authenticity makes you a more effective leader.
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December 1, 2025
The Dark Side of Collaboration, and How to Fight Back
In many companies, employees spend 80% of their time in meetings or answering colleagues' requests. Here's how the best leaders fight back against collaboration overload.
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November 1, 2025
Developing Leaders: Lessons from One of the Most Impressive Behavior Change Efforts Ever
What can a stunning program to feed starving children possibly teach us about developing stronger leaders? Meet the Elephant, whose neglect often foils leader behavior change initiatives.
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October 1, 2025
10 Days and 34 Words to Better Relationships
How do you increase the odds that others do things well and quickly for you? The answer may surprise you: it takes just 10 days and 34 words.
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September 1, 2025
Radical Candor: Is It Ever OK to Use the Word 'Stupid' When Giving Feedback?
How to get away with serious levels of candor — and when directness becomes the most respectful thing you can do for a colleague or report.
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August 1, 2025
3 Sneaky Excuses for Procrastination: Are You Guilty?
There are a few really legitimate-sounding excuses that executives hide behind when it comes to Getting Stuff Done. Here are the Big Three. Do any of them apply to you?
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July 1, 2025
'Thank-You' Magic: 5 Creative Tactics
Need fast, easy, no-cost tactics to boost morale, productivity, trust, and team relationships? Five favorite ways to supercharge an employee or group with genuine appreciation.
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June 1, 2025
Why Every Manager Needs Bad News
To maximize leadership success you MUST know not just the good — but also the bad and the ugly. Here's how to cultivate the art of collecting difficult feedback.
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