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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Organizing Meetings Around Questions Instead of Topics
Organizing Meetings Around Questions Instead of Topics. Any topic, problem, or issue can be stated as a question, and any agenda can be organized as a set of questions. Meetings, agendas, and topics organized by questions create a more vibrant dialogue between team members. When sent in advance, the questions posed in the agenda stimulate…
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People Who Project Their Own Flaws Onto Others
People with deep insecurities have a peculiar habit. They commonly project those insecurities onto others. In other words, whatever flaw they struggle with is often the focus of their behavior with others. For instance, leaders who ridicule others about their lack of confidence often struggle with their own self-confidence. Similarly, colleagues who struggle with holding…
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In Search of More Gamma Brainwaves
Music with binaural beats creates an auditory illusion when two slightly different frequencies are presented separately. As the brain processes these two different frequencies, it perceives a beat that is not actually present in the sound. The result is increased Gamma wave activity. To deliver the frequencies separately to each ear, listeners must use stereo…
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Where Do Leadership Instincts Come From?
We often refer to highly effective leaders, especially those with less experience or background, as having great leadership instincts. In our estimation, they seem to know things we wouldn’t expect them to know. More importantly, these people land on a good or right answer seemingly without much effort. They are instinctively good at leadership, or…
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Testing for Grit
The quality of grit, or a passionate persistence, is considered a priceless attribute when hiring prospective team members. The idea of grit refers to a person’s ability to persevere and remain determined in the face of challenge, adversity, or obstacles. People with grit maintain a commitment to long-term goals and consistently work toward them despite…
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Creating Separation Between Back-to-Back Meetings
Creating Separation Between Back-to-Back Meetings. Transitions between meetings are challenging enough without sprinting from one discussion to another. Team members deserve the best of you and all of your attention in the matters they want to discuss. Leaving the last meeting behind is aided by a brief separation. Some tiny habits really are atomic. It…
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The Hidden Jeopardy of Expected Rewards
The biggest problem with expected rewards is not about their long-term influence, but rather the impact they have when they don’t occur. The only time an expected reward really matters over time is when it doesn’t happen. Then, it is remembered forever. Expected rewards that don’t occur carry a deep symbolic meaning to people. When…
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Getting Others Comfortable With Disagreement
Some team members have a difficult time expressing and dealing with disagreement. They find disagreement distasteful, and they don’t enjoy it. When disagreed with, they feel attacked or denigrated and feel a need to defend themselves. Disagreement, in their minds, represents a clash between people, not ideas. As a result, they don’t dive into debate,
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A Salute Returning a Salute
Great leaders give the kind of respect to others they would want to receive. By holding up the defeated, they point to themselves. In offering grace in a genuine way, they themselves become more graceful. The best leaders know that the ultimate right to be respected is won by respecting others, especially the vanquished.
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Designating an Angel’s Advocate
Designating an Angel’s Advocate In most cases, teams don’t require either Advocate to reach a sound decision. But when a leader decides to designate a Devil’s Advocate to shake up the group with the potential risks, it is smart to designate an Angel’s Advocate, as well. Devils keep the team grounded but Angels let the…