Every decision starts with a belief. That is, we base our decisions on what we know to be true—what we believe. Sometimes, however, we believe something that isn’t true. Intellectually and emotionally, beliefs and unconscious bias influence our behavior when facts and reason alone do not. Our early relationships, experiences, and events create and controlRead more
Blog
Theorists, authors, and speakers offer leadership advice to anyone who will pay attention. Some of it makes sense and helps leaders improve their performance and that of their teams. However, it perpetuates stereotypes just as much and does more harm than good. One body of work criticizes leaders whom they characterize as rigid, dogmatic Vulcans.Read more
In 1957, Leon Festinger introduced “cognitive dissonance”. Cognitive dissonance is research-based theory that posits that internal psychological consistency helps us function in the real world. Cognitive dissonance refers to a situation that involves conflicting attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors. The theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and behavior inRead more
People bat around the word “culture” as though it were a conversational shuttlecock. When an individual, merger, or organization fails, culture takes the blame. We use the word fairly arbitrarily, citing it to explain why things don’t change, won’t change, or can’t change. It’s that subtle yet powerful driver that leaders strive—often futilely—to influence. “Culture”Read more
From the time you started work, and actually from the time of birth, you have been solving problems. By definition, problem solving involves the process of finding a solution to something that needs to change or a deviation from what you expected to happen. It involves a multistage process for moving an issue or situationRead more
