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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Naming the Behavior
When conflict in conversation spins out of control, bad things happen. Relationships can be irreparably harmed and the goodwill to work together can be destroyed. To avoid an escalation of emotions and extreme reactions, the best leaders “name the behavior.” This is a simple yet powerful way to diffuse conflict and allow others to regain
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Avoid the Micromanager Mess
Maybe you recognize these signs in a leader you know: Every task needs their eyes and approval. They know precisely where everyone is and what they’re doing. No one’s work is immune from their critique and endless editing. They rarely delegate tasks, preferring instead to have others contribute without owning the outcomes. They second-guess everything,
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Slice the Gordion Knot
In the ancient city of Gordion, King Midas tied a chariot to a post with an intricate knot. A wise oracle prophesied that the person who could untie the knot would become the ruler of all of Asia. Hundreds of soldiers and craftsmen tried and failed in the endeavor. Finally, in one version of the
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Run to the Roar
The roar of a mature lion can be both exhilarating and unnerving. It’s hard to believe how loud the roar can be, often reaching more than 115 decibels. That’s almost as loud as a serious rock concert. This roar is essential for hunting success, but not in the way we might think. When lions get
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Develop a Facilitative Mindset
So many of the best leaders in the world have what we call a “facilitative mindset.” As leaders, they work to facilitate conversations between people as a way of deepening trust and understanding. Such a mindset is committed to curious inquiry and seeks to excavate the meanings people have in their heads about ideas, concepts,
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Don’t Sit Like a Potted Plant
Sometimes, we like to sit back and watch the action from the sidelines. This often happens in meetings. When others fill the space and we don’t have anything new to add, we often stay silent and allow the discussion to follow its course without our help. Observation, rather than contribution, may seem like the best
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The Power of the Triple Wow
Great ideas can change everything. When we hear a great idea, we think immediately of the possibilities and how they might play out. Excitement surrounds us. Adrenaline is pumped throughout our nervous system. We rush forward in the hope we have found something special. Unfortunately, many ideas which appear great when you first hear them
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If It Matters to You, It Matters to Me
When you stand for people, as good leaders do, you have to be a surrogate for what matters to them even if it doesn’t matter to you. Translated, this means living up to the idea that, “If it matters to you, it now matters to me.” This idea becomes symbolic in strong relationships and is
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Are You Withholding Wise Counsel?
As we mature as leaders and our teams gain experience, we face the dilemma of deciding how much feedback to offer people who are very good at what they do, or who have earned the right to make their own choices and decisions. Sometimes, leaders step back. They withhold feedback. Often, they’re waiting to be
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Make a Habit of Creating New Habits
Habits are formed with good intentions and solid structure. We don’t just fall into most habits. At least, not the ones that are good for us. We have to work at them. Think for a moment about the difference between exercising and working out. Many of us exercise, fewer of us work out. In the