“I never criticize a player until they are first convinced of my unconditional confidence in their abilities.” – John Robinson, football coach This is a follow-up to a separate note I wrote on blame. Another aspect of leadership is the courage and ability to declare reality. Sometimes, reality is hard. Sometimes ugly. Sometimes difficult. It can involve assessing one’s effort, negligence, attitude, or talent. Not done well, it can sound like blame. You could read

A pillar of a great place to work is whether associates believe they are treated fairly. I have been reflecting on fairness. What does “fair” look like? “Fair” listens. It seeks to understand before reacting. Frequently, someone complaining about unfair treatment is frustrated because his version of the truth remains untold. “Fair” is predictable. People don’t like surprises. We create a predictable workplace when we endeavor to clarify expectations, hold people accountable to expectations, and

If you have children or grandchildren who participate in sports or other performances, I saw a sign recently that might be enlightening. It said: Your child’s success or lack of success in sports does not give an indication of what kind of parent you are. But having an athlete who is coachable, respectful, a great teammate, mentally tough, resilient, and tries his very best is a direct reflection of your parenting. I’ve booked a great