Old Blogs
These blogs were migrated over here from the old website, www.leavenodoubtmindset.com. Enjoy the reading!
A Moment in a Roll
In The Power of Moments, Chip and Dan Heath describe a defining moment as a short, memorable experience that often comes from courage, bold decisions, or moments of vulnerability. These moments are rarely by chance; they often result from conscious decisions we make.
My son, Gabe, has been practicing Jiu-Jitsu for two years, starting at age 9. Anyone who has practiced Jiu-Jitsu will tell you to leave your ego at the door. Being humbled on the mat is part of the process. At a recent local tournament, Gabe was set to roll with a much larger, older, and more experienced opponent. As they shook hands, Gabe smirked, as if to say, "You all seeing this?"
The bigger opponent quickly put Gabe in a chokehold, turning his face purple. Gabe reached up to tap out, but the pressure was so intense he couldn’t get his hand high enough. Instead, he grabbed his opponent’s wrist. Just as I thought, "You should tap, buddy," Gabe decided to try one more move and managed to free himself. The two rolled around and eventually stood face-to-face. In that moment, I saw Gabe experience a defining moment that he would remember for life.
At the start, Gabe thought, "I have no chance," and his opponent thought, "I’m going to choke him out." But halfway through the match, as they stood toe-to-toe, their mindsets shifted. Gabe thought, "I have a chance," while his opponent thought, "I’m in a fight." That moment—when Gabe realized his own potential—was more important than the result. Despite losing by a point, Gabe learned that it’s better to have fought and lost than to have not fought at all. His professor praised him, saying, "Breakthrough. Way to not give up!"
This moment wasn't by chance. It came from Gabe's decision to step into the arena, just like the bold decisions we make in life and business. Whether it’s starting a new business or solving a problem, it’s better to take action, even if it means risking failure. The criticism you fear often comes from people who don’t matter. The ones who’ve been in the arena will only offer encouragement.
Mastery – The Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 is an iconic car—timeless in design, performance, and charisma. Its design has remained remarkably consistent, and its functionality has stood the test of time. A visit to the Porsche museum in Stuttgart, Germany, opened my eyes to the brand and its history, especially the 911.
In the late 1970s, Porsche almost replaced the 911 with the 928. The 911 SC wasn’t as desirable as some other air-cooled models, but it was the 911 that saved Porsche. The decision to extend its production helped solidify the company’s legacy. The 911 remains the flagship product, a car built with precision and passion.
Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers presents the 10,000-hour rule: to master something, devote 10,000 hours to it. Whether it’s musicians or racing drivers, mastery comes from focused dedication. In business, we often get distracted by the latest trends, losing sight of our core passions and competencies. My challenge to you is to find your "911"—something you can master, even if it means failing along the way.
Better Than You Found It – Hall of Fame Follow-Up
When you leave your organization, will you leave it in better shape than when you arrived? If I were nominating someone for the Hall of Fame, I’d look for someone who didn’t just dominate but improved their team or organization. Michael Jordan’s impact on the Chicago Bulls transformed the NBA and basketball globally. His influence goes far beyond his individual performance.
Think about your role in your organization. What are you doing to leave it better than you found it? Whether you’re a photographer, teacher, CEO, or recruiter, each of us has the opportunity to make a lasting impact. As leaders, our goal should be to elevate those around us. This mindset can transform not just the organization, but the world.
Are You a Hall of Famer?
What makes someone great? In Good to Great, Jim Collins explores the characteristics of companies that make the jump from good to great. These traits can also apply to individual performance.
To be a Hall of Famer, you need to stand out. Your talent, work ethic, and impact must be undeniable. People with Hall of Fame status don’t just perform—they influence the game, shape industries, and leave a legacy. They also have the respect of their peers and competitors. So, ask yourself: would your colleagues vote you into the Hall of Fame?
The Struggle Bus
There is a phrase for when people are struggling: “The struggle bus is real today.” I used this phrase during a recent town hall meeting to be transparent about my own struggles. Mental health is often overlooked in leadership, but it’s vital to address.
Mental health affects everyone—veterans, teachers, CEOs, pastors, and entrepreneurs. We need to recognize when we're struggling and talk about it openly. I recently experienced a mental health setback, triggered by stress and illness. Talking to friends and seeking support helped me get back on track. It reminded me that even the strongest people experience struggles.
To manage stress and improve mental health, we need to prioritize rest, small victories, gratitude, and balance. It’s essential to take care of our minds, bodies, and spirits.
Instead of…
Perspective is everything. As leaders, we often face challenges, but how we respond determines our success. Instead of criticizing, offer solutions. Instead of focusing on mistakes, highlight potential. It’s about shifting your mindset and focusing on what really matters.
Leaders should prioritize connection over correction. Build people up before pointing out areas for improvement. This creates a positive, healthy organizational culture.
Connect the Dots
Leadership is about connecting people—both to each other and to the bigger picture. In my business, we’ve worked hard to create connections across teams and subsidiaries, promoting unity and shared purpose.
As 2022 approaches, commit to connecting your team, your customers, and your stakeholders. True leadership is about bringing people together to create a shared vision for the future.
Doing vs. Being: Quit Doing Things, Start Being You. A Good Friday (Easter) Special
Being a CEO is hard, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. The key to avoiding burnout is finding purpose in what you do. Mother Teresa said, "It is not a matter of doing but being." This concept is especially important for leaders. It’s easy to get lost in tasks and obligations, but true fulfillment comes from aligning your work with your purpose.
Take a moment to reflect on who you are and what you’re truly meant to do. Leaders like Peter from the Bible faced identity crises, but they found purpose through their struggles. Find your purpose, and your actions will follow.
Save Strategy! Eat More Culture! Better Yet, Feast on Both!
Culture is critical to an organization’s success. But does it "eat strategy for breakfast," as Peter Drucker suggests? While culture is vital, it should complement strategy, not overshadow it. Culture and strategy must align to create a high-performing organization.
A successful organization recognizes the importance of both: a healthy culture that supports the strategy, and a clear strategy that drives the culture. Together, they create a powerful force that can dominate the competition.
Game Changing Email – 8 Tactics to Messages that Matter
In a world flooded with emails, how do you make yours stand out? When communicating with your team, make sure your emails tie into something meaningful. Share stories, offer insights, and provide sincere praise. Be personal, but keep the focus on them, not on yourself.
Here are eight considerations to make your emails more impactful:
Tie your email to something that matters
Share relevant stories
Use Grammarly or a proofreader
Provide insights into company performance
Include personal touches
Offer sincere praise
Create emotional connections
Align your messaging with broader strategies
Remember, your emails are a tool for engagement, not just communication.
Go Get Em’: 3 EMs of Leadership Part III – Emotional Intelligence
“Hey! I think the stove is on fire!”
“Ok, one sec, let me finish this coffee.”
Some accuse me of not showing enough urgency in crises. It's ironic since I spent nine years as a bomb technician. There are times when I need more intensity, and times when I need a lot less. I don’t think she’s wrong, though. I often question whether something is truly urgent, and I sometimes determine its urgency myself. This mindset has its risks.
Humans are complex. For instance, I react only when I confirm that something is urgent, while others jump into action before knowing the severity. In life-threatening situations, you might want those who act first. Our physiology and experiences play a significant role in how we react to different situations. What we know and how we feel both impact our leadership success.
The brain functions in three layers: instinct, emotion, and cognition. Traditional intelligence (IQ) isn’t the only factor for success. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is just as crucial. John Maxwell sums it up: “Leaders with emotional intelligence outperform those without it.”
Daniel Goleman defines emotional intelligence as the ability to recognize and manage our own emotions, and the emotions of others. While many associate EQ with empathy, it's also about decision-making, productivity, and corporate success.
Leaders with high EQ understand their emotions, their influence on decisions, and how to manage them effectively.
Why does EQ matter in leadership? It helps us make rational decisions and navigate challenging situations. EQ consists of five areas: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. I’ll focus on why emotional intelligence is key for effective leadership.
Let’s take the 2017 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears traded up to select Mitch Trubisky, a quarterback with just 13 college starts, instead of more accomplished players like Patrick Mahomes or Deshaun Watson. This decision, based on biases like confirmation bias and conviction bias, shows how emotional intelligence—or the lack thereof—can impact major decisions. Leaders with low EQ might be blind to their biases, making irrational choices that can hurt organizations.
Emotional intelligence also plays a significant role in mergers, talent hiring, investments, and even entrepreneurship. Leaders who recognize their biases and emotional triggers can avoid costly mistakes.
The story of Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky in the 1972 World Chess Championship illustrates how emotional intelligence can impact outcomes. Fischer used his understanding of Spassky’s emotional state to manipulate the match and win.
In leadership, emotional intelligence is about understanding others, staying calm under pressure, and making rational decisions. It’s about using both intellect and emotional control to make the right choices for the team and the organization.
Go Get Em’: 3 EMs of Leadership Part II – Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It’s essential in leadership and business. One of my friends in Alaska, an exceptional attorney, displays empathy through his work. He connects deeply with clients, understanding their needs while also grasping the business objectives. His empathy, cultivated through family experiences and global travel, has made him a successful leader.
Empathy is crucial not only in personal interactions but also in business. It’s the foundation for building trust and understanding, both internally with teams and externally with clients. Businesses with empathetic leadership experience more engaged employees and lower turnover.
Empathy is not weakness. It’s strength, humility, and leadership. Leaders who can balance empathy with accountability foster positive work cultures. On the other hand, failing to hold people accountable in the name of empathy can lead to organizational dysfunction.
Being empathetic doesn’t mean agreeing with everyone or avoiding tough decisions. It means understanding where others are coming from and addressing challenges with care and consideration. Empathy can lead to improved relationships, better customer experiences, and more productive teams.
Empathy is not just about emotions—it’s about understanding the other person’s perspective. Whether in personal life or business, this ability can be the difference between success and failure.
Go Get Em’: 3 EMs of Leadership Part I – Empower
In leadership, empowerment is a game-changer. Empowering others doesn’t mean relinquishing control—it means providing the resources, trust, and authority for team members to take ownership. General (R) Stanley McChrystal’s book Team of Teams highlights the importance of decentralization and empowerment in leadership. When the U.S. military shifted to a decentralized command structure in the Middle East, it allowed for faster, more flexible decisions, and led to greater success.
Empowerment comes in two forms: structural decentralization and motivational empowerment. Structural decentralization allows teams to make decisions on the ground. Motivational empowerment inspires and motivates individuals, increasing their sense of ownership and commitment.
When done right, empowerment leads to increased morale, innovation, and performance. But it must be done with responsibility. Leaders must avoid shirking their duties and ensure that empowerment doesn’t lead to neglecting accountability.
Empowerment doesn’t mean avoiding responsibility. It’s about giving others the power to act while remaining accountable for the overall success. Leaders who embrace empowerment trust their teams, provide them with the right tools, and hold them accountable to high standards.
Empowerment is about filling others with strength and confidence. When leaders empower the right people, they unlock their full potential, leading to organizational success.
Inspiring Storytelling: Unlock Your Best Leadership and Organizational Potential
Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in leadership. Whether you’re leading a business, a community, or a nation, storytelling can inspire, motivate, and connect people to your vision. Leaders who can effectively tell stories create a sense of purpose and direction, engaging their audiences on a deeper level.
Stories transcend data and facts, creating emotional connections. They help people visualize a better future, understand complex ideas, and empathize with others. Great leaders like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Oprah Winfrey use storytelling to connect with their audiences and share their vision.
In business, storytelling can help you connect with clients, employees, and stakeholders. It’s not just about your story—it’s about how your story impacts theirs. Every business has a story to tell, and the way you tell it can inspire others to join you on your journey.
Storytelling also helps you create a meaningful connection with your team. It turns abstract goals into real, tangible achievements that people can rally behind. As you tell your story, you’ll inspire your team to act with purpose and passion.