The foundation of solving problems is primarily the ability to recognize and identify what the problems actually are. Given this, we always need to make sure we’re making sure that we are causing the problem. Because if we’re not owning our decisions, speech, and actions, then we’re never going to […]
Category: business
Does A Bolt Matter?
An extra bolt that serves as redundancy in the roughshod, over-secured wood shed you built that will withstand a tornado is probably not so important. A single piece of unsecured metal in a MRI machine is extremely important as it could literally kill someone. Trivial things in one context are […]
Rule-Breaking
If you find that people are constantly breaking rules that you’ve set, the first reaction is usually anger or frustration. It’s easy to blame the rule-breaker, the ruckus-maker, the person who is exploding the boxes, pushing boundaries, and experimenting with edges. Perhaps, however, you should be thinking about whether or […]
Ostrich Syndrome
I know my zoologist friends are going to get angry at me for this one, but I’m pushing ahead regardless. The phrase “burying one’s head in the sand” is based on the common misperception that an ostrich buries its head in the sand to hide from predators. While upon a […]
Rewarding the Messenger
We often hear the phrase “Don’t shoot the messenger” and I feel like it’s not enough. While it’s true that many people are terrible at this in practice, we need to push for a culture where the harbinger of bad news is actually rewarded. After all, they’re the ones courageous […]
Watch What You Say, Traitor!
We often throw around words like “traitor” and “betrayal” when someone does something to betray us. We often feel like their disloyalty is upsetting. But how often do we ask if we’re being loyal to them? Loyalty is actually a two-way street, a relationship that must be nurtured and fostered […]
Multitudes of Costs
I’m sure you’re familiar with the phrase “Everything costs something.” This is true. While it might not always cost money, it will cost something. Time. Attention. Psychological safety. Trust from others. Reputation. Health. Freedom. Other opportunities. Spending all of these things sometimes makes sense. Just be aware of what you’re […]
The Teeth of Culture
Your teeth are pretty durable, are incredibly important, and can go a pretty long time partially damaged. Preventative care is usually the best route, but we often put this off. Why? Cavities grow and can become painful, but it might take years before you’d damage them so bad that even […]
Can You Handle the Truth?
When we have traditional power in terms of the ability to fire someone (or generally make their life miserable), do you think that when you ask for feedback that person will be 100% honest with you? Or do you think that they’ll likely tell you what you want to hear? […]
Acute Vs. Systemic
I think a common sticking point when we’re talking about things like sexism, transphobia, racism, ableism, etc., is confusing the systems of oppression with the acute expressions of these systems. Using an ableist slur is an acute expression. Falling prey to implicit biases and not looking into more inclusive hiring […]