Trading approval for impact

Seeking approval is a primal instinct – so deeply wired that we’ll sacrifice authenticity to get it. However, successful scale-ups reveal that teams perform best when leaders care more about impact than being liked. Gary Burnison, CEO of Korn Ferry, documented...

Braving the cold

The winter morning whispers threats through frosted windowpanes. My mind conjures images of biting winds and numbing cold, remnants of a sun-soaked upbringing where winter meant light jackets at worst. But here’s the truth about that dreaded first step outside –...

Verity outplays nice

Being direct isn’t cruel – it just may be the deepest form of respect. Dancing around issues wastes everyone’s time and creates confusion where clarity should reign. When we sugarcoat, we rob others of the chance to grow, improve, and understand. We...

Life’s not your game

Living authentically isn’t a strategy. It’s a revolution. Most people think life’s a chess match. They calculate moves, plan responses, and guard their position. They always want the upper hand and think to outmaneuver. However, a 2021 Harvard...

Wearing busy as success

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius We wear our busyness like a medal of honor. It’s the modern professional’s favorite humble brag. No time for lunch? Badge earned. Working weekends? Level up....