March 31, 2023

Remote Employees Are Team Players

“That’s the great irony of letting passionate people work from home. A manager’s natural instinct is to worry about his workers not getting enough work done, but the real threat is that too much will likely get done.”
― Jason Fried

Contrary to what some poor managers believe, remote employees might be your best team players.

🔥They value teamwork and collaboration because they consciously work for it.

🔥They value thoughtful and clear communication because it’s critical to their success.

🔥They value results because they want to be judged by more than mere attendance.

🔥They value leadership because they have to be self-leaders.

🔥They value culture and respect because they care about their own time and effort and that of their teammates.

Remote employees don’t break the team. They build it, nurture it, lead it, and protect it.

March 24, 2023

The Power of Authenticity

“A true leader is one who is humble enough to admit their mistakes.”
― John C. Maxwell

As a leader, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to be someone you’re not. You might think projecting a certain image or personality will make others respect you more.

But here’s the thing: authenticity is a great strength for a leader. When you’re authentic, people sense it. They trust you more because they know you’re being genuine. It allows you to connect with others on a deeper level. Authenticity isn’t about being perfect, either. In fact, it’s often the flaws and vulnerabilities that make us more relatable and approachable.

So, how do you develop authenticity in your leadership style?

  • Recognize and accept your strengths and weaknesses, and be honest about them with yourself and others.
  • Don’t try to hide mistakes or challenges. Acknowledge them openly and transparently.
  • Admit when you don’t have all the answers or when something is difficult for you.
  • Align your actions with what you believe in, even when it’s not the most popular decision.

When you embrace authenticity in your leadership style, not only will others trust and follow you more, but you’ll also find greater satisfaction and fulfillment.

March 17, 2023

Good Questions

“A prudent question is one half of wisdom.”
― Francis Bacon

Most people believe leaders should have all the answers.

BUT…

The best leaders know how to ask all the right questions.

Good questions help us gain insight, challenge our assumptions, and make informed decisions.

Good questions encourage others to open up and share their opinions and insights.

Good questions lead to good results.

March 10, 2023

You Are Not Your Money

“Don’t just make money, make a difference.”
― Grant Cardone

Too many people feel inadequate or insecure because of how much money they make or how much wealth they’ve acquired. It’s easy to get sucked into that destructive place.

But this habit of measuring your self-worth by financial status is based on lies. In fact:

  • Money is not a measure of your value as a person.
  • Money is not a guarantee of happiness or fulfillment.
  • Money is not a fair or accurate comparison.

So stop comparing based on other people’s money and start appreciating what you have. Change your focus:

  • Focus on gratitude.
  • Focus on growth.
  • Focus on contribution.

Remember: money can never define who you are or what you can do in life.

March 03, 2023

Do a Little More

“Leadership is not a license to do less; it is a responsibility to do more.”
― Simon Sinek

Do a little more.

Improve your skills a little more. Move a little closer to your goals. Go a little faster. Run a little further. Work a little harder. Study a little longer. Write a little more.

Do a little more today than you did yesterday.

You don’t get to the top of the mountain in a single leap. You ascend the mountain step by step. So do a little more, and don’t stop.

February 24, 2023

Benefits of Asynchronous Work

“What if I told you there was a work approach that allowed you to have fewer meetings, solved your time zone issues, and allowed you to get more done uninterrupted? This is the magic of asynchronous work.”
― Marissa Goldberg

Asynchronous work is starting to catch on in more and more businesses. It complements remote work beautifully, and it’s the natural next step. These are just a few of the benefits async workers are already experiencing:

Increased Productivity

Async work allows employees to work during their most productive hours, which don’t always align with traditional working hours. This leads to higher quality work and increased productivity, since employees work when they’re most energized and focused.

Improved Work-Life Balance

Asynchronous work enables employees to balance their work and personal lives. Subtle exta benefit: An async workplace allows you to hire from a larger talent pool.

Enhanced Collaboration

Contrary to popular belief, asynchronous work often enhances collaboration. Async tools like Slack, Basecamp, or even good old email, employees can communicate more thoughtfully and effectively. In turn, this improves teamwork and decision-making.

February 17, 2023

7 Negatives of Forcing People Into the Office

“Technology now allows people to connect anytime, anywhere, to anyone in the world, from almost any device. This is dramatically changing the way people work, facilitating 24/7 collaboration with colleagues who are dispersed across time zones, countries and continents.”
― Michael Dell

I keep hearing about more and more companies requiring their employees to return to the office. Oh, it’s not because of any performance reason. It’s because somebody got the idea their building looks too empty. Or perhaps they feel like they’re wasting an elaborate space they used to brag about to their friends. Maybe they don’t feel comfortable running a distributed team. Perhaps they don’t trust their people.

Whatever the reason, if you force people to work in an office when they could work from anywhere, you’re bound to run into downsides.

Here are the seven biggest negatives of forcing your people to come into the office:

  1. Missing out on top talent. If you’re not hiring remote workers, you’ll miss out on top talent. There are great people who can’t or won’t work in an office.
  2. Higher attrition. People who are not given the freedom to work when and where they are most productive are more likely to look for a job elsewhere.
  3. Lost productivity. Long commutes, distractions, and office politics all add up to less effective employees.
  4. Poor morale. When people feel their employer doesn’t trust them morale plummets.
  5. Increased stress. Limiting time and location flexibility increases employee stress as they try to balance work and home life.
  6. Increased costs. More people in the office means more overhead for space, utilities, furniture, and office supplies.
  7. Lower employee engagement. When employees aren’t given the freedom to work where choose, they end up disconnected from their team and their work.

February 10, 2023

3 Ways to Quickly Boost Energy

“The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.”
― Tony Robbins

We all experience low energy at times. Good sleep and a healthy diet always help, but sometimes, you still need a quick pick-me-up.

Here are my three go-to methods for quickly boosting energy:

  1. Move: Try a few stretches or jumping jacks. A little movement will help increase blood flow and increase your heart rate.

  2. Hydrate: I’m always amazed by how much a glass of water can help. Dehydration can cause fatigue and headaches, so staying hydrated is essential.

  3. Go outside: A bit of fresh air will help you feel energized and refreshed. And even a few minutes of natural light can improve energy levels.

February 03, 2023

Show Me the Results

“Great things never came from comfort zones.”
― Neil Strauss

Was it worth the time?

Was it worth the money?

Was it worth the effort?

Show me the results.

Did you do a good job?

Did you properly prepare?

Did you handle your emotions?

Show me the results.

Are you a good leader?

Are you a good person?

Show me the results.

January 27, 2023

Must Do

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”
― Marcus Aurelius

❌ I want to make more money.
✅ I must make more money.

❌ I want to lose weight.
✅ I must lose weight.

❌ I want to gain strength.
✅ I must gain strength.

❌ I want to see the world.
✅ I must see the world.

❌ I want to learn this new technology.
✅ I must learn this new technology.

❌ I want to spend more time with my family.
✅ I must spend more time with my family.

Turn your “want to” into “must do.”