Gallup Says “It’s the Manager.” Here's the Part We Skip.
If you’ve spent any time in organizational life, you’ve probably heard some version of this:
“People don’t
Three Lenses That Quietly Shape How We Lead People
After 35+ years in organizational life, I’ve noticed something simple but powerful:
Most of what we call “people management”
Focus on the Few: How Critical Variables Free Us From Overthinking
Most days, it’s not the work that wears us down.
It’s the constant pull on our attention, stretched
How Being Clear About What You Want Actually Drives Performance
Most people never say it out loud, but we all expect something from our work—progress, dignity, room to grow. When those slip, it’s not a motivation problem; it’s a misaligned expectations problem. Ownership starts when you name what you actually need.
The Truth About Overwhelm: What’s Really Weighing People Down
Overwhelm usually isn’t about too much work.
It’s the moment when effort increases while clarity decreases —
when you’re doing more but feeling less connected to the why, the pace, or the payoff.
Performance Momentum: When You’re Busy, But Not Really Improving
Performance momentum looks like progress, but it’s really autopilot. Tasks get done, but learning and improvement quietly stall. Here’s why it happens—and how a small dose of awareness can change everything.
Rethinking “Helping” at Work: What Edgar Schein Teaches Us About Climate, Not Control
We talk a lot about supporting our teams — guiding them, developing them, helping them perform. But Edgar Schein, in his
Learning How to Learn: The Missing Skill in Leadership
Most leaders focus on how to coach others—but not on how to learn themselves. Yet, the ability to learn is the real competitive advantage in leadership. Here’s why.
Performance Goals vs. Learning Goals
Performance goals matter. They give direction and create accountability.
But when they dominate every conversation, something subtle but important gets lost: the process of learning that fuels performance in the first place.
Rethinking Engagement: From Managed to Self-Led
We’ve spent decades trying to engage people — measuring it, managing it, incentivizing it. Yet, engagement remains one of the
