Why do we sometimes get stuck in Groundhog Day situations? The same crap seems to happen over and over in our world, work, or lives. It’s because we are focused on being stuck, explaining why it sucks to be stuck, or seeking the reasons for being stuck. To finally get unstuck, tell a better, bigger […]
Show me a company (or family, town, or country) in trouble and I’ll show you a company whose leaders failed to heed emotional cues. Long before the trouble started, leaders had clear signs that could have helped them steer toward success. It’s not that they made one bad, fateful decision. They regularly bypassed signals that […]
Without much effort, we can tune to an endless stream of opinion that things are bad–getting worse–and we’re all on the brink of disaster. Soon we’re swept away, feeling bad, and acting accordingly. Without much effort, we can look around and see none of that is true. In fact, there’s lots to appreciate and feel […]
Tempting as it may seem, we won’t be in better shape with more news or social media. That’s always true and it is especially important during different times such as these. News and social media knock us off of our inner game. They focus us on things we (rightly) have lots of concern for but […]
There is nothing about our current situation that we cannot handle. We only waste our energy if we worry, try to not worry, or try to control things. No amount of effort at this level is ever productive. We have everything inside us we need to thrive now and now and now and… Go inside, […]
This is the first in a series of Play notes about leading well during different times such as this one. Tone is a simple, subtle, and extremely powerful leadership tool. We need to set the right tone every day. Tone is the fundamental perspective we use to make decisions and act. The wrong tone makes […]
At times like this, it’s good to remember: one of us shining a light helps hundreds, thousands, or millions to step away from the dark. Should we find ourselves or others stuck and focusing on the problem, we know we can always shine the light on our ability to pause and choose to feel good […]
A recent social media post that reminded me of my son Adam’s natural confidence. Whatever you do today, do it with the confidence of a 4-year old in a Batman shirt. He was that 4-year old and happily remains confident as young man. To some of us, confidence may seem a bit selfish or egotistic. […]
Here’s a helpful rule of thumb: head towards fear, discomfort, or tension. Not to abuse yourself (“gotta take my lumps, must work hard”), not to assert your will over anything (how silly), but to get the gift. There is always a gift hiding in there. And the gift makes things easier. In your corner, Michael
No dark fate determines our future. We do. Each day and each moment, we are able to create and re-create our lives and the very quality of human life on our planet. I love the core of joy, hope, and strength in this quote from the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. Feel it? May your […]