FieldNotes
Our daily Field Notes email is just the kind of jumpstart you need. A fast read. Maybe less than a minute. Because sometimes it just takes one insight to change the trajectory of the day.
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True Leaders Seek Honorable Closure
Most endings deserve a dignified conclusion. And the best leaders make sure of it by pursuing one goal: Honorable Closure. Honorable Closure is the idea that ending a relationship, conflict, or chapter of life should preserve the dignity, respect, and integrity of the parties involved. This requires the leader to take the high road, aligning
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Investing in Why People Stay Instead of Worrying About Why They Might Leave
Investing in Why People Stay Instead of Worrying About Why They Might Leave. Talent retention is an ongoing concern for many organizations and teams.
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When You Change Your Mind, Let Everyone Know Why
Leaders train themselves to project confidence and consistency. Creating clarity, setting direction, and getting people on board are big parts of a leader’s job. Once they’ve taken a position on any issue or decision, reversing it can feel like weakness, indecision, or a loss of authority.
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Birdwatching to Stretch the Brain
The human brain tends to grow structurally less complex as people age. Slowing the natural process of brain decline isn’t easy. But research confirms that certain activities do an excellent job of offsetting the effects of aging. In later years, these same activities have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of dementia. So, what
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Good Leaders Refuse to Take ‘Yes’ for an Answer
People often agree, or say Yes, when they shouldn’t. In many circumstances and on many teams, people say Yes to avoid conflict, to please others, or to move matters along quickly. A quick Yes often suggests a team member who agrees primarily to get along and to avoid creating waves. They may actually disagree, but
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How Much Time Does It Take to Make a Great Decision?
How much time a leader or a decision-maker commits to the decision process can dramatically influence the outcome. Spending too little or too much time typically leads to poor decisions. So, understanding the time it takes to reach a quality decision is of the utmost importance. Of course, the right amount of time will vary by
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Team Cultures Where Blame Is Common
Casting blame can sneak up on teams and leaders without notice. Without realizing it, leaders and team members can consistently focus on who is at fault rather than what went wrong. By doing so, they create a team culture of blame and scapegoating that can undermine results and team effectiveness. Teams that move quickly to
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Approaching a Situation You Haven’t Seen Before
No matter how experienced and seasoned a leader is, they will inevitably be tasked with approaching a situation they haven’t seen before. The unfamiliar territory might involve presenting a strategy to a board, leading someone who was recently a peer, terminating a strong performer, handling a major layoff, stepping into a new culture, or taking
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What Leaders Could Learn From the NFL Draft
This week, sports fans in the U.S. will be watching the much-anticipated National Football League draft. During the three-day event, the league’s 32 teams make selections from the most talented college and international prospects to strengthen their rosters. The hit-and-miss of this process is widely known and written about. Some teams are notoriously good at
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Praising Others About Your Strengths
Not all praise or endorsement is created equal. Some praise carries more weight because of who it comes from. And here’s a twist. Those who are respected, trusted, and admired naturally have a greater impact with their praise. And those leaders themselves are known for particular strengths. That can have an enormous impact on how…