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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The Fear of Missing Out
Leaders who feel overwhelmed and less effective than they should be often suffer from FOMO—the fear of missing out. The idea of missing out on an opportunity or experience others are enjoying becomes a fixation and a distraction for those under water. Instead of prioritizing existing projects and tasks, they double down and take on…
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Should Leaders Seek Certainty or Clarity?
Should Leaders Seek Certainty or Clarity? When leaders believe they can know the outcome of a decision with absolute certainty, they ride a false sense of security. Despite the fact that achieving certainty about a decision result is nearly impossible, leaders often set their sights on this lofty goal.
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A Tyranny of Niceness
A Tyranny of Niceness. Some leaders and team cultures will go to great lengths to avoid candid feedback and honest conversations about performance. With time, team members learn that being nice is rewarded far more than being frank.
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Evaluating Talent on a Bell Curve Has Always Been a Bad Idea
Evaluating Talent on a Bell Curve Has Always Been a Bad Idea.
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Credibility Depends on a Consistent Style
Credibility Depends on a Consistent Style. Consistency is one of the cornerstones of leadership credibility. We confer the highest credibility on those leaders who behave consistently and adhere to the same set of values and principles.
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Never Admonish the Entire Team
Leaders get frustrated like everyone else. When a team underperforms and engages in lazy or petty behavior, leaders will sometimes forcefully remind team members to buckle down and straighten up. On occasion, when disappointment boils over, a leader can offer the entire team candid words or feedback through an email or lecture. As a rule,…
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Teach Like George Balanchine
Nearly 40 years ago, the world lost one of the premier choreographers in ballet. Co-founder of the New York City Ballet and its Artistic Director for more than three decades, George Balanchine left his mark on ballet and guided countless dance instructors on how to teach precision. Leaders and teachers in all fields can stand…
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Buried in an Avalanche of Helpfulness
When others offer help for our struggles and problems, we usually benefit from the wisdom, the caring, and the assistance they provide. Thanks to the goodwill of those ready to lend a hand, the help we receive is typically a godsend, enabling us to sort things out or dig out of a hole.
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Leaders Need Both Dashboards and Scorecards
In the seemingly complex world of performance management, the best leaders rely on two important, but different, reporting tools to improve effectiveness: Dashboards and Scorecards.
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The Fine Line Between Confidence and Arrogance
Old news: People are attracted to confident leaders and turned off by arrogant ones. We respond very differently to a leader who believes in themselves versus a leader who fixates on their own self-importance. In popular culture, we often hear the expression, “There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance.” But for leaders, the…