How “the latitude of acceptance” explains change at work

Latitude of Acceptance

Here’s how to conceptualize the idea of a “latitude of acceptance.” Take any idea that has two distinct sides. There’s a cluster of people all the way at one end (“Abortion is terrible!”), then a cluster of people all the way… Continue Reading

We should stop viewing leadership as a destination

Leadership ISN'T a destination

I’m about to write probably 300-400 words and use a lot of fluffy terms like “leadership” (hard to define, if inherently simple), “destination,” and “journey.” It might make you gag. If it doesn’t, come along with me for a hot… Continue Reading

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Senior business leaders mostly fear incompetence. Cue the trickle-down.

CEOs facing fear

Cool story here on “what CEOs are afraid of,” based on data from 116 CEOs and other executives (including 27 in-depth interviews afterwards). 116 isn’t a lot of people by any means — there are over 2 million CEOs/top executives in… Continue Reading

Your job isn’t supposed to be fun. But it can have purpose.

Work doesn't need to be fun

There’s nothing in your contract about fun, but you should know how your work relates to the broader purpose. Continue Reading

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To-do lists may actually be holding people back

To Do Lists Ineffective

I feel like the “to-do list” has been a staple of (at least first world) individual organization attempts since maybe the dawn of time. Definitely in the last 20 or so years, they’re everywhere. Outlook and other e-mail platforms have… Continue Reading

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Don’t confuse accountability with scaring someone

Managers and Accountability

Common problem at work: a unit has goals. The unit doesn’t hit those goals. The manager of that unit is stressed, and probably on the hook to a higher manager (who’s also pissed about those goals not being met), and… Continue Reading

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The future of work: Is your manager orthopraxic or orthodox?

Work and Orthodoxy vs. Orthopraxicy

For a while, I was thinking that the essence of “future of work” discussions was this whole maximizer vs. satisficer issue. That means you can either have a hard-driving, professionalism-demanding, results-oriented boss who wants perfection (a maximizer) or someone who is… Continue Reading

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Increase productivity, contentment: Seek the ‘Four-Way Win’

Personal Productivity Four-Way Win

I almost titled this “Increase productivity, happiness…” but then I remembered happiness is bullshit and one should chase contentment, so I re-titled it. There are six million and five approaches to being more productive and more happy — entire sections… Continue Reading