FieldNotes
Our daily Field Notes email is just the kind of jumpstart you need. A fast read. Maybe less than a minute. Because sometimes it just takes one insight to change the trajectory of the day.
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It’s Not About the Team Dinners
Legendary NBA Coach Gregg Popovich creates highly cohesive teams with star athletes who commonly like to go their own way. His teams are known for players who develop deep and lasting relationships with each other, and rally to support their teammates when times are tough.
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When the Winning Strategy Is Not to Play
Life throws many episodes at us that appear to require a response or defense. We always have a choice as to whether we engage or not. On occasion, the only winning strategy is not to play. This is especially true when responding will require us to stake out a clear position when we don’t have…
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When a Team Member Carries Someone Else’s Complaint
The subtext of any conversation refers to the underlying meanings and motivations people use to influence. By looking past the literal message, leaders can discern the agendas at play in any conversation. Through an examination of the subtext, leaders understand more accurately what is really being said.
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Honor the Last Leader
When leaders take on a new assignment or role, they replace the leader that came before them. While some prior leaders retire or move to their next assignment after a successful run, in many cases, leaders supplant a predecessor who was not up to the job. Following an ineffective leader and leading a team that…
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Developing Your “No” Muscle
People have an odd response when they feel out of balance and without control over their time. They add things to an already overflowing plate. Decide today, before any new requests, what you will say no to. Write them down. Keep this list ever-present as a reminder. Now use the muscle and make it stronger.…
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Forgetting Is an Essential Skill
The best performers and athletes work hard to overcome setbacks in an exceedingly simple way —they forget about them. Forgetting is an essential skill that anyone can master. The key to forgetting is to force yourself to charge forward without delay. Any hesitation allows the mind to remember. Recalling the misstep is what top performers…
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When a Conflict Is Intractable
Not all conflict can be managed or resolved. On rare occasions, the struggle between people arises from profound distaste, disrespect, or mistrust.
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The Command-and-Control Hangover
Years after a leadership regime change, the effects of a command-and-control style can still be felt across an organization. When organizations suffer from the Command-and-Control Hangover, team members are reluctant to take risks or make decisions without the approval of those above them.
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Are You a Control Freak?
Being motivated by owning the results, having the autonomy to achieve them in your own way, and holding yourself and others accountable to the actions required does not make a leader a “control freak.” Quite the contrary. Those who create extraordinary results often focus on controlling the details that contribute to success and desired outcomes.…
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Finding Reasons to Celebrate
Celebration offers a sense of accomplishment and pride for the milestone achieved. It reminds team members about what is important and what needs to be repeated. Most of all, celebration tells people they are worthy of even greater success. The praise underscores the choices they have made.