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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Show Me the Incentives
A few decades ago, Spencer Johnson wrote a surprisingly simple book entitled Who Moved My Cheese? The book explains why people resist change. It’s one of the all-time bestselling business books. Let me suggest the title of the sequel. A sequel which could easily capture the minds and hearts of anyone interested in understanding what makes people
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Find an Anti-Model
Finding a role model to emulate is a grand way to become a better leader. But for my money, I would encourage you to find an anti-model instead. A leader you don’t want to resemble in any way. First off, they are much easier to find than role models. Secondly, you will learn more from
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Real Candor May Require a Warning
Recently, we spent time observing a leader who said to his audiences on several occasions: “Let me be honest with you.” He then proceeded to be direct and frank. The simple expression of, “I’ll be honest with you,” or the question, “Can I be honest with you?” is not meant to suggest the leader is
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Presume a Meaningful Relationship
Have you ever wondered what makes politicians so good with a small group of people? Successful politicians learn quickly to presume a meaningful relationship with everyone in the room and to act thusly. “So nice to see you!” “How is everything with you?” “You look great.” “How is everything going?” “What’s new with you lately?”
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Shared Risk Is More Rational
Sometimes, people want leaders to take all of the risks without any real downside if they fail. Recently, former PGA champion Rich Beem was challenged to a competitive wager by an amateur who had great confidence in their golf game. The amateur asked Beem to play for $10 a hole, as long as he could
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Reframing Shifts the Vantage
Reframing a perennial challenge is often a much-needed kick in the pants. Changing the way we and others view a situation, experience or idea can have a profound impact on how we approach them. Reframing shifts the vantage by which we view an issue and thereby impacts how we address it. When we see an
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From Thoughts to Destiny
Mahatma Gandhi clarified the cause-and-effect relationship between thoughts and outcomes: “Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.” Read it again. Let that sink in. No wonder Gandhi remains one of the most
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Believe You Are Responsible
Leadership is said to “emerge” on the best teams when others step up and act like leaders without being asked to do so. But emergent leadership requires more than making the choice to lead. It first requires that a person takes responsibility for something. When a leader takes responsibility and believes their values require them
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Silence Shouldn’t Always Be Broken
Silence in conversations is often uncomfortable. So, we move quickly to fill the void. But as leaders should we? Perhaps, the better approach is allow the conversation to simply settle for a moment. This encourages others to fill the space while we wait patiently for them to do so. A leader can learn a lot
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Who Do You Want to Be?
The leader you become depends largely on what you think of yourself. When you believe in being a positive influence, you’ll be more positive. The critical question to ask yourself is: Who do you want to be? When you want to be a leader who recognizes and supports others, you’ll find ways to do so