Are you living "above the line" or "below the line"? This question is central to understanding the concept of accountability in leadership. All of you have heard us discuss the famous “line of accountability,” but let's delve deeper into what it really means and how...
Inspiration is one signature behavior of emotionally intelligent leaders. As someone with a deep appreciation for words—stemming from my days as an English teacher—I find the etymology of "inspire'' particularly meaningful. The word "inspire" literally means "to give life." One of the best ways leaders can...
Oftentimes, the most impactful response to another person’s pain or frustrations is to simply say, “I hear you.” This simple acknowledgment can have a profound effect, offering comfort and validation in times of distress. Empathy is the cornerstone behavior of unforgettable leadership. It’s the ability to...
In times of crisis, courageous leaders stand out by demonstrating empathy and resilience. They create a supportive environment where team members feel understood and valued. By doing so, they not only manage the immediate crisis, but also strengthen the team’s cohesion and morale for the...
CRANIUM POINT: Interaction, not micromanagement. Honor team input. Leverage other's experience. Gain loyalty by allowing a choice and a voice. Delegate. It can be a euphemism for bossing others around or shirking responsibility. It can also be a powerful tool for building trust and broadening...
CRANIUM POINT: Using emotions, not ignoring emotions. You can capitalize on emotional intelligence by putting to practical use the power of the emotional brain. Work, relationships, bills...
CRANIUM POINT: Challenge, not threat. Create a safe environment where a challenge is maximized and a threat is minimized - intentionally. We talk about this all of the time, but a threat is a threat. Your brain will respond to a poisonous snake in a similar way...
CRANIUM POINT: Novelty, not boring routine. Do the unexpected. Seek and reward innovation. Celebrate veering from conventional methods. Normally, our novelty posts are a little whacky to emphasize breaking from convention. PowerPoint presentations are a good place to depart from this as they are often so bad....
CRANIUM POINT: Multiple ways of learning, not a narrow view. Value the multiple intelligences all individuals bring to the team. The question is not “How smart are you?” but rather “How are you smart?” Howard Gardner and others have proven our gifts, talents, and abilities far...
CRANIUM POINT: Action, not overload. Purposefully balance work and life. Cheaper, better, and faster isn’t always best for the human brain. Balancing work and life is something we all strive for. We all know that it's not that easy to do. Everyone has made those pronouncements: I'll...
