I feel for new middle managers. Call me old-fashioned, but I still firmly believe in the value of middle management. Middle managers are the glue that binds teams together, the bridges connecting different groups, and the support system that provides safety, clarity, and direction for individual contributors. Yet, middle management often feels overwhelming, especially for those just stepping into...
This post is part of Principle 5: Grow your foundation. This article highlights emotional intelligence for kids and how to prioritize it at home. It was the morning of my son’s school’s Invention Convention. Breakfast felt quieter than usual—too quiet. After a long silence, I gently asked, “Is everything okay?” He hesitated, then whispered, “I’m a little scared...
Effective delegation is more than offloading tasks—it’s a strategic leadership tool that helps you trust your team, empowers them to take ownership, and, with the proper functions, helps them grow. As a leader, you shouldn’t monopolize the cool or impactful projects for yourself. Instead, delegating these important tasks fosters career growth for your team members and signals that you care about...
A tiny seed of bad leadership can bring down even the best teams. Over time, toxic leadership can transform an entire culture, ultimately molding teams, organizations, and even countries into mere reflections of flawed leaders. Sounds extreme, I know; bear with me. One of the fastest ways to become a good leader is to avoid being bad. The Slow Poison of Bad Leadership The detrimental dangers of...
In leadership and life, kindness isn’t the same as niceness. Niceness often means avoiding hard truths to keep the peace. Kindness, however, is built on honesty and genuine care. It means sharing honest feedback and encouraging growth—even when uncomfortable. Actionable Tips 1. Encourage Open, Honest Conversations Let your team know that honest dialogue is welcome. Remind them that discussing...
Every team faces challenging personalities. Handling these interactions with empathy eases tension and builds a stronger, more positive culture. Here’s how: Understand First: Pause and listen. Ask open-ended questions to uncover stressors or unmet needs, then respond with empathy rather than frustration. For Example: If a team member seems short or disengaged during meetings, instead of labeling...
If you want to receive certain qualities from those around you, you must start by living the mantra: Be what you seek. In other words, if you desire better friends, a supportive partner, more love, or even a better boss, you must first embody those qualities yourself. At least, that’s my theory. I’m trying this paradigm in a few areas of my life, so I thought, why not share this...
Conflict is inevitable because no two people see the world in the same way. This stems from the Theory of Mind (ToM)—the ability to understand that others have thoughts, feelings, and perspectives different from your own. While it’s a hallmark of human intelligence, it’s also the reason for misunderstandings and disagreements, making conflict resolution an essential skill for leaders...
Two quotes, one New Year resolution: Choose what we pay attention to. 1. What you pay attention to grows. The other day, my son and I were talking about cars. He was trying to decide which was his favorite and picked a BMW. As we ran errands that day, he suddenly said, “Papa, does the universe know that the BMW is my favorite car? I’m seeing them everywhere now!” So, I...
Are you a junior professional looking to fast-track your career growth? The 80/20 rule can be your game-changer: focus on the 20% of actions that drive 80% of results. The concepts below apply to transitioning from a junior developer/worker/entrepreneur to a senior one. They also apply to most, if not all, jobs and careers. The strategies we will cover are no shortcuts or “fake it till you...