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 Leader’s Antidote for Worry
The Leader’s Antidote for Worry Leaders have a lot to worry about. The rate and pace of change and the challenge of navigating an uncertain future are enough to keep even the most confident leaders up at night.
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Unconscious Competence or Why the Best Leaders and Performers Are Sometimes the Worst Teachers
Top leaders and performers often can’t fully explain how they create excellence because much of their skill is tacit, automatic, and built through experience rather than existing consciously. Once expertise becomes fluent, people stop noticing the steps, decisions, patterns, and cues that drive it, which is why experts often struggle to articulate their own know-how.
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How Candor Keeps the Blue Angels Safe
How Candor Keeps the Blue Angels Safe
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When Peers Strongly Disagree About a Decision
When Peers Strongly Disagree About a Decision
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The Case for Seeking Early Commitment
There’s wisdom in getting alignment on the destination before diving into the details. When people agree to the goal up front, they are more likely to push through the messy middle when friction ensues, rather than complain or delay. Early commitment also creates psychological ownership. People who agree to a direction early tend to invest
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Leaders Who Ask for Your Opinion But Really Don’t Want It
Some leaders feign that they are interested in what others think about an issue when, in fact, they have little interest or have already made the decision. This masquerade rarely starts as manipulation. More often than not, the leader simply believes they know best, has strong convictions, or views consensus as compromise. Over time, the
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How to Disappoint People Without Demotivating Them
For leaders, disappointing people is unavoidable. Not every idea can move forward. Capacity, resources, and priorities all impose limits. Not everyone is ready or has the experience to tackle a coveted assignment. The real skill isn’t avoiding the disappointment; it’s delivering it in a way that preserves trust and motivation. Good leaders don’t soften the blow
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The Illusion of Deep Professional Relationships
We hate to break it to you, but your workplace relationships aren’t nearly as strong as you think they are. Research confirms that people commonly overestimate the depth of their professional relationships. Outside of close family and a few real friends, most of our relationships are much thinner than we might believe. Knowing bits of
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The Libero Leader
In volleyball, the Libero is the player spectators almost never notice — until they have a deeper understanding of the game. The Libero doesn’t spike, doesn’t block, and can’t rotate to the front row. The role exists entirely in the service of others. The Libero reads the play before it develops, absorbs pressure in the
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Do You Weaken Your Endorsements Without Knowing It?
Commitment is relative. Sometimes leaders offer their full endorsement, while at other times they weaken their conviction through the expressions they use. For instance, there is a subtle but important difference in saying “I agree” versus saying “I don’t disagree.” The former represents stronger endorsement and conviction, while the latter softens that commitment. Because a