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Making The Tough Calls

I recently had to make a really tough call. One I had put off for longer than I should have. But making the call had to be done.

One of my favorite online mentors mentioned a man’s name I knew. A man I had once been friends with. I consider this mentor to be a great man of integrity.

Distraught woman laying next to couch holding a rotary phone

Photo by Anthony Tran

When I heard him mention my former friend’s name, I knew I had to reach out to my mentor. To make a tough call.

The man my mentor mentioned could be considered a success in the world’s eyes. He’s built up an online business that brings home a nice chunk of change. That’s awesome. I’m actually happy for my former friend that he’s reached monetary or worldly success.

Making the tough calls in life and leadership will hurt. We have to do them anyway

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Quotes And Leadership Lessons From The Call Of The Wild

A Reel Leadership Article

Jack London’s classic literary story of Buck and his journey was originally released in 1903. This past weekend, it was brought to the big screen.

I have to be honest, I didn’t have huge expectations for this movie, much like last week’s Sonic The Hedgehog. However, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the great story they told through the new film.

The Call Of The Wild tells the story of Buck and the hands he passes through as he hears the call of the wild. He had a posh lifestyle living with a judge… Until he was kidnapped and sold to sledders. One of the hands he passes into is Perrault (Omar Sy).

Harrison Ford as John Thorton in The Call Of The Wild

Perrault is a mail delivery person. He treats his dogs well and cares for them. When he receives news his mail route is going away, Buck passes once more into the hands of someone abusive until John Thorton (Harrison Ford) steps in and frees him.  Read more...

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A Compassion Mindset Is The Secret For Engagement

What is Engagement?

Engagement is all the rage. Why? Because engaged employees are happier and more productive. Gallup defines engagement as “A belief among employees that they’re doing meaningful work in a climate that supports personal growth and development.” Dan Pink, in his New York Times best-selling book, Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us, analyzed four decades of engagement research to identify three key drivers; autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

Three ingredients for engagement:

At a practical level, engagement means:

  • employees have influence over how they do their work,
  • are learning and growing every day, and
  • are connected to something bigger than themselves.

Companies with the most engaged employees see real business results, such as reduced turnover, improved productivity, lower safety incidents, increased wellness, higher customer satisfaction, and up to 21% higher profitability[1]. Jim Harter, a chief scientist at Gallup Research summarized it this way, “Engaged employees are more attentive and vigilant. They look out for the needs of their co-workers and the overall enterprise, because they ‘own’ the result of their work and that of the organization.”[2]  Read more...

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How To Create An Affirming Culture

When you first hear about an affirming culture, you may think the culture will be weak or timid. You may think your organization doesn’t need to affirm the abilities of your team.

If this is your line of thinking, you would be incorrect. Your team needs to be affirmed. You need to tell your team “Good job on completing the project ahead of time” or “You know, you’ve been on time for a full year. You are awesome.”

Man standing in front of mountain range

Photo by Axel Holen

What Is Affirmation?

You may come from a culture where affirmation isn’t common. You may not even know what affirmation is.

If you’re wondering what affirmation is, wonder no more. Affirmation is the act of validating or confirming a person or their actions.

Affirmation isn’t pandering to someone. Instead, it is recognizing what they’re doing or who they are and choosing to say something positive.  Read more...

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Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Sonic The Hedgehog Movie

A Reel Leadership Article

I have fond, fond memories of Sonic The Hedgehog. From the SEGA startup sound to the blur of blue on the screen as you raced through the levels, Sonic was the video game character with spunk and attitude.

Sonic was a stark contrast to the Mario and Luigi’s Nintendo offered up. He was fast, had attitude, and began to kick butt for Sega and their Genesis system.

Sonic the Hedgehog live action movie clip with sonic skidding on the street

Had the original Mario movie not bombed in the theater, I’m sure we would have had a live-action Sonic The Hedgehog movie well before now. Thankfully, they waited.

Sonic The Hedgehog’s new movie is a fantastic blend of nostalgia and newness, of adult and childlike humor… Dare I say Sonic The Hedgehog has become my favorite movie of 2020 so far? I think I will.

But Sonic The Hedgehog does more than entertain. Sonic The Hedgehog can help you become a better leader.  Read more...