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Author: Jeff Mcmanus

We all know that one coworker—let’s call them the Dramanator. You’re just trying to refillyour coffee, and suddenly you’re caught in a soap opera about Janet’s missing stapler.Again. Dramanators aren't always villains—they're often just energy vampires in businesscasual. They magnify molehills into mountains, complain like it’s cardio, and somehowmake every meeting about their feelings. As Gary Chapman wisely put it, “When aworkplace becomes toxic, its poison spreads beyond its walls and into the lives of itsworkers and...

“To say that a person feels listened to means a lot more than just their ideas get heard.It’s a sign of respect.” – Deborah Tannen Over the years, I’ve become a big fan of high-fiving folks for a job well done.Recognition lifts morale and keeps the wheels of the organization turning smoother thana greased mower deck. But here’s the deal: behind every pat on the back is somethingmore important—listening. Not the "uh-huh, sure, got it" kind of listening. I...

Charlie Munger didn’t just talk about resilience—he lived it. Known to most as Warren Buffett’s right-hand man, Munger's path to success was far from a smooth ride. While his achievements are well-documented, fewer people recognize the personal hardships he endured along the way. After serving in the military, Munger faced a painful divorce, the heartbreaking loss of a son, and financial difficulties. But perhaps one of the most challenging moments came in his early 50s when a...

"Trust the Process" became a popular phrase in sports over the past 10 years, especially whenteams faced rebuilding years. The Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Astros, enduring toughseasons while reshaping their teams, urged fans to trust the long-term vision. Leadersreassured investors and supporters: “Things may seem bleak now, but we have a plan in placeto make it better.” This idea extends beyond sports—it applies to business, organizational change, and evenpersonal challenges. Focusing on what you can control—the process—can...

What is Leadership Focus, and Why Does it Matter? Studies show the average attention span of humans in the 21st century has dropped to just 8.25seconds—less than that of a goldfish. This shift has led experts to declare that focus and concentration arenow the true superpowers for professionals, more critical than skills or IQ. For leaders, focus means more than just “keeping an eye on the ball.” It involves understanding yourorganization’s mission and vision, identifying the most important...

You’ve likely heard the story of four people—Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. Itillustrates what happens when leadership is absent: Everybody looks to Somebody or Anybodyto take responsibility, but with no leader to guide the process, Nobody steps up. The result ischaos, finger-pointing, and failure. Sadly, this scenario plays out in organizations every day.Accountable leadership should be standard practice, but too often, it’s not. What is Accountable Leadership?Accountable leadership means leaders take responsibility for their actions and those...

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” ~ Charles Dickens, GreatExpectations March. It’s the “madness” month—and not just because of basketball. Theunpredictable weather that defines March is notorious. As the Weather Channelexplains, the month often sees an atmospheric clash between winter and spring. Expecteverything from tornadoes and winter storms to heavy rain, lingering cold, teasingwarmth, and...

"Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing towards what will be." — KhalilGibran We all remember the elementary school progress report — the periodic evaluation that offeredinsights into our academic performance, work habits, and social/emotional development. Itcovered everything from how well we “worked and played with others” to how we wereprogressing toward our potential. Teachers and parents valued these reports, as they provided atangible way to track how we were advancing. But once we left...

"To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not theobstacles." — T.F. Hodge Ah, air travel—the modern-day test of patience and resilience. The weather neverchecks anyone’s schedule and airlines never consult their passengers before makingdecisions, so, yes, everyone traveling via air must find a way to remain calm and carryon even as their personal schedules disintegrate before their eyes. Recently, thanks to some overly ambitions rain clouds I found myself caught in a classicairport delay....