Adam Grant is one of the leading thinkers of our time. He has the ability to take experiences and thoughts that are so human and articulate them in a way that helps make sense of the world. My blog post today is inspired by a thought he shared on X (formally known as Twitter).
(more…)It’s Urgent, Slow Down
Earlier this month I had a conversation with Simon Lamb who is a dear friend of mine and brilliant thinker. He pushes me to do better and be better.
We were both discussing our need to focus on family and other things beyond our work. We talked in the context of the famous 2×2 matrix of urgent and important made popular by Steven Covey and we realized that today, that matrix doesn’t serve us as well. The pace of change and the speed at which we are demanded to get things done is dramatically different than it was in the 80’s. There are more things that are urgent and important so that quadrant is being filled with fewer and fewer urgent and not important items.
(more…)2022 Year in Review
It is only appropriate that I report back on my becoming list for 2022 and then share the new list of what I would like to become.
Rather than goals I want to strive to become something. My actions are a reflection of who I am and who I am becoming.
(more…)Want to Learn Something? Teach It
The leadership flywheel I wrote about recently also can also be converted into a cycle of learning.
(more…)Leadership Flywheel
Ever since reading Good to Great by Jim Collins I have been fascinated by the concept of the flywheel. Working hard on the right things consistently over time and then having your efforts compound for massive impact over time. I have touched on the idea here and here.
Leadership is a difficult topic to create a flywheel around because there is not a shared definition of leadership in the community. The definition I choose to use is:
(more…)Reflection on Story
Lately I have been reflecting on how to help leaders to take action in the work of leadership. My mind has gone back to this post about the role neuroscience plays in the creation of habits.
The action part is where many (including myself) can get stuck. The process from my previous post is simple: stories lead to insights that generate actions and when repeated turn into habits. I may learn a theory or something new and interesting but getting to meaningful action means I need a powerful story and a strong insight. Then I am compelled to act.
(more…)Action Precedes Results
This week while reading I was struck by an idea.
(more…)I cannot know something works or witness results until I have tried it first.
Intellectual Creation
Recently on a road trip to visit family, my wife and I were talking about what we want to accomplish in our future. My desire is to have a visual of what we want our family to become so we can intentionally create moments and experiences that will lead to that future.
The combination of this conversation and reading the book How to Own Your Own Mind by Napoleon Hill I realized something:
(more…)What Can Neuroscience Teach Us About Habits?
Recently I spoke with David Rock who is the co-founder and CEO of the NeuroLeadership Institute (NLI). Our discussion began focusing on virtual learning and during the conversation we went on a tangent that was extremely insightful to me.
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