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The illusion of control is, perhaps, the leading stressor for most human beings. Yes, there are legitimate worries–money, relationship troubles, sickness, war–but often the heavier burden is our mistaken notion that we are somehow responsible for everything that happens to us. The countless things we fret over are mostly out of our control, but unfortunately,…

In our journey through life, we all face critical moments that test our character and leadership abilities. Whether you’re leading a team in a corporate setting, guiding a community, or shepherding a congregation, how you respond to difficult moments can define your leadership legacy. I’ve seen firsthand the impact that effective leadership can have during…

Long ago, I was having a conversation with the CEO of an organization and asked him a question: What is your most important leadership trait, the one you rely on the most? He answered with a question, asking if he could avoid the “obvious answers” like trust, honesty, loyalty, purpose, and clear communication. I was…

Leaders are increasingly adopting a compassionate and empathetic approach to management. This shift, while positive in many respects, has sparked a debate about its potential downsides. Specifically, some leaders fear that their efforts to accommodate employees’ needs might inadvertently foster a sense of entitlement and erode accountability. This blog explores these concerns and offers insights…

In a recent consulting skills class that I was leading, a participant asked a familiar question: What makes a good consultant? I replied, “A good consultant is open to everything, attached to nothing, and expert in something.” It is the first time I answered the question in that fashion—I think it would make a good…

Have you ever been in a meeting where the agenda was not well followed, or else completely ignored? Maybe there wasn’t a formal agenda in the first place, but just a vague sense of why the meeting was called. And maybe you’ve experienced the frustration of facilitating a meeting that gets side-tracked by seemingly random…

The great paradox of the quest for enlightenment is that it is a lifelong search for something you already have. I’ve been reading and listening to a lot of material on this subject, and the one consistent message I’m receiving is that enlightenment is not something to attain, but something to recognize. It’s an awakening…

Recently, I had the privilege of attending one of our client’s semi-annual leadership gatherings, an event designed to provide crucial updates and training on de-escalation and conflict resolution. I was particularly impressed by how the senior leadership team managed the open forum Q&A session at the end of the day. Their approach to handling questions…

I’m an aspiring naturalist. Whenever I can, I enjoy the beauty of the outdoors by hiking, biking, fishing, and kayaking. But I’ve become increasingly aware that my time in nature results in unintended consequences. As a Boy Scout, I learned and practiced the value of leaving a place better than you found it. My father…

In life and leadership, the unseen often wields more power than the seen. Invisible expectations, those unspoken assumptions and standards we carry, can subtly sabotage our best intentions, leaving us and our teams frustrated and confused. Recognizing and addressing these hidden expectations is crucial for effective leadership and team cohesion. As someone who sits on…

If you’ve read anything about Buddhism, you’ve probably heard of the Four Noble Truths. These precepts pose a challenge–life is often painful and difficult–and then provide an answer to that challenge in the form of Buddhist philosophy. They point to a path forward grounded in non-resistance. Leadership is both a privilege and responsibility. It is…

Newness is relative. When a scientist discovers a “new” plant or insect, they are, in reality, finally noticing a neighbor who’s been on the block much longer than we have. The flora and fauna that evolved here in North America were new to the ancients who made their way from Asia, and new once again…

In the dynamic world of leadership, staying ahead and continuously improving is vital. As we…

What’s most important for you in your life, as you see it now? Is it your health, vocation, relationships, personal development? Perhaps it’s unfair to frame the question this way, as if you can only choose one. Most people cannot and should not whittle their priorities down to a unitary aim. But neither should your…

In the enchanted land of Eldoria, Eldric, a wise and powerful wizard reminiscent of Gandalf from the tales of old, stands atop a hill overlooking his bustling village. With his long, flowing robes and a staff that glows with ancient magic, Eldric decides that his word for the year will be “fulfillment.” This decision is…

So many of us fear dissension. We want harmony. We want everything to go smoothly, like a well-oiled machine, one of the business world’s favorite analogies. Though we know in our minds that conflict can be very productive and useful, our emotions tend to take precedence. Many people fear conflict, and expend a great deal…

For the longest time I’ve felt that there has been too much emphasis in our country on independence. We are told the country was founded by “independent thinkers” and the frontier settled by “rugged individualists.” There’s certainly virtue in marching to the beat of your own drummer (to paraphrase Thoreau, one of America’s great loners)…

Hey there, friends! It’s another beautiful day here in Central NY, and I hope you’re all doing well. Today, I want to talk about something near and dear to my heart—the execution of a goal. Execution is what makes or breaks team success, whether you’re in the boardroom or on a hiking trail. Recently, I…

I recently recorded a podcast with Newell Eaton, a colleague and close friend of mine, during which we discussed the Power of Not Knowing. As leaders, we often achieve roles with power and responsibility due to our subject-matter expertise–our specialized knowledge and abilities to solve problems with efficient and creative solutions. It is our job…