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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A New High Water Mark Doesn’t Always Reflect True Progress
A New High Water Mark Doesn’t Always Reflect True Progress
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What Leaders Can Learn From the Disney Hugs Rule
At Disney parks around the world, cast members in character costumes are trained to make their interactions with children feel magical and child-led. So, at Disney, characters operate from a “hugs rule.” A hug doesn’t end until the child lets go. When a child gives the character a hug, the rule is that cast members don’t
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Company Policies and Rules That Are Too Specific Can Replace Sound Judgment
Earlier in her career, when General Motors CEO Mary Barra became VP of Global Human Resources, she replaced GM’s 10-page dress code policy with two words — “Dress Appropriately.” Her own HR Department immediately pushed back, insisting the employee manual needed more specifics. Matters like the prohibition of t-shirts with inappropriate sayings were of concern
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Great Advocates Don’t Present Options
Advocacy while offering options is not true advocacy at all.
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Reducing the Workforce Isn’t Always the Only Move
Earlier this week, the Walt Disney Company’s new CEO announced in an email to employees that the entertainment giant would slash 1,000 jobs. This follows an even larger round of layoffs for the prestigious company just a few years ago. The message in the email could be any organization’s current explanation for a reduction
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Leaders Don’t Take ‘No’ as the Final Answer
The best leaders treat “No” as a signal to understand what’s underneath. They recognize that “No” is usually not the final word, answer, or truth. So, they push to explore what is behind it. And whether getting to “Yes” will just take some revisions or more time. Receiving a No can make leaders defensive. No one likes to
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Organizations That Prioritize Good News
Positive cultures attract and retain talent. Leaders who highlight wins, successes, and positive results boost morale and energize the team. Positivity creates the momentum to push past obstacles, setbacks, and adversity. By reinforcing progress, leaders can also make people feel that their work matters. There’s a lot to be said for an organization or team
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What is Your Learning Strategy?
Leaders differ in what information they look for and gather as they learn something new. Some start with the big picture, while others begin with the details. Both strategies have their strengths and weaknesses. Top-down learners want an overview first. They seek summaries, frameworks, and conceptual maps to orient themselves. They try to quickly understand
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Why People Confuse Dominance and Control With Leadership
Gather school-age children together, leave them alone with a ball, and a game will likely break out. One child will name the game they want to play and begin separating the other children into two teams. Another child will typically claim the second “team captain” role. Then the two sides begin to play the game.
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Consider Shrinking the Change
Big change requires explaining the big picture. When introducing big change, leaders naturally explain the reason for the change and the risks of not making a shift. They lay out the vision for the change and the many milestones that will mark the progress the team needs to make. But when facing a daunting shift