One of the most powerful tools in a leader’s skill set is the art of reflection. The ability to look back on past strategic decisions, understand their outcomes and use these insights to refine future strategies. Every decision, whether successful or not, holds valuable lessons. By analyzing these decisions, you gain insights into what worked, what didn’t, and why.  How to Reflect Effectively on Strategic Decisions  It is crucial to allocate time for reflection. One of the biggest downfall of many leaders is believing they’re too busy to spend time just “thinking.” Nothing could be f ..read more

Daniel Kahneman, a brilliant mind and Nobel Prize winner, passed away recently at 90. His work, especially with Amos Tversky, changed how we see decision-making. His insights are crucial for anyone leading a team or running a business. Here are what I believe were some of his most important ideas. Quick Thinking, Slow Thinking, and Getting It Right Our brains like shortcuts, called heuristics. They help us make fast decisions but can lead us astray. Kahneman pointed out a few: Availability Heuristic This heuristic involves making decisions based on the information that comes to mind most readi ..read more

It is my great honor to host these incredibly talented authors for another installment of the Leadership Development Carnival! I am truly privileged to present a collection of remarkable posts from some of the most exceptional leadership writers. My sincere thanks go to Weaving Influence and the Lead Change for organizing and curating these insightful pieces. For those new to blog development Carnivals, these are thoughtfully compiled anthologies featuring posts from various writers, organized around major themes within a particular field or topic. The posts are carefully selected and presente ..read more

As I look at the leadership landscape, I believe there are three quotients that one must have to be an effective leader. The first is IQ, and by this, I do not mean the number; I mean competence. You must be very good at what you do. The next is EQ, emotional intelligence, your ability to understand your emotions, regulate them appropriately, and show empathy. If you are highly competent but can’t get along well with others, you will not succeed in your leadership journey. However, I believe there is a new quotient that is more important than the first two—your AQ.  Adaptability Quotient ..read more

Written By Frank Sonnenberg Do you think before you make a promise to someone? What if you can’t deliver on your word? Does it really matter? The world isn’t going to come to an end, is it? Well, actually, no — but have you considered . . . Many people are pretty casual about making promises. As a result, promises are frequently made at the drop of a hat with no real intention of keeping them. “Let’s do lunch,” “I’ll call you later,” and “I’ll be there in five minutes” are all examples of throwaway promises that are frequently made but seldom kept. However, this casual attitude can have real c ..read more

I was recently building a custom AI assistant to help me do research and named it Bob. I gave Bob some very specific commands about the way I wanted him to deliver information. Much to my chagrin, after multiple attempts, Bob still was not giving me what I needed. I decided that Bob wasn’t working out and I would have to remove him from the company. Here is our conversation about his termination. John Bob, I am tired of dealing with you. It does not seem to matter what instructions I give you; you continually fail to follow my directions. Can you erase yourself or do I have to do that? Bob I’m ..read more

Strategic thinking isn’t just for the once-a-year planning session. It must be a daily mindset. Each decision, big or small, contributes to your strategic plan. Viewing these decisions through a strategic lens ensures they align with your long-term goals. This practice turns routine choices into deliberate steps towards your vision. Strategic thinking also involves your team. It cultivates a culture where everyone understands and contributes to the strategic plan. By encouraging your team to think strategically, they make better independent decisions that support the company’s objectives. How ..read more

I was recently in San Antonio Texas on business. I got an Uber for the 20-minute ride from my hotel to the client’s office. Little did I know that I had gotten in the car with Yoda. Actually, his name was Leo, but he was wise beyond most people I have ever met. During our short ride, he shared powerful ideas about life, family, work, and faith. I gave him my email and asked him to drop me a note. This is the way I make sure people are serious about staying in touch. I have given my email out hundreds of times, and only a handful of people ever send a note. Leo sent a note the next day. Here is ..read more

Creating a robust strategy can be monumental task, but it’s only the beginning. The real challenge, and often the stumbling block for many organizations, is in the execution. The gap between strategic planning and successful implementation is wide. This is where the indispensable tool of a dashboard comes into play. A dashboard is critical for any organization serious about turning its strategic visions into reality. Why Dashboards Are Essential in Strategy Execution 1. Visibility for All A dashboard provides a real-time snapshot of where the organization stands in relation to its strategic go ..read more

One of my favorite business phrases is “ambiguity breeds mediocrity.” When things are unclear, people are uncertain. They don’t know what to focus on. They’re not sure what to do next. Progress comes to a grinding halt. As a leader, creating clarity is your responsibility. Here’s how to do it. Role Clarity Ensure every team member knows their role. Be exceedingly clear in communicating what you expect of them, the scope of their responsibilities, and how their work impacts the organization. Instead of vaguely asking an employee to handle client relations, delineate their duties, such as managi ..read more