Results matter—a lot. But here’s the paradox: the harder we focus solely on achieving results, the more elusive they can become. True leadership isn’t about choosing between caring for people and demanding excellence—it’s about mastering both.

Take the example of David, a project director who built strong relationships with his team long before challenges arose. When unprecedented rains put his project behind schedule, he didn’t rely on pressure alone; he called on the trust he had built. The team responded with extraordinary commitment, making up for lost time without compromising safety.

Great leaders, like Phil Jackson in sports and Paul O’Neill at Alcoa, understood that genuine care and high expectations go hand in hand. When people feel valued and supported, they rise to the challenge—not out of obligation, but out of commitment.

So, ask yourself: Are you creating an environment where people feel both deeply valued and inspired to achieve their best?

Every time I find myself in an obsessive pattern of bettering myself, I am quite literally the most miserable version of myself.

It wasn’t always this clear to me. In my younger years, I often found myself grappling with the multitude of relationships I navigated - family, friends, clients, and more.

Are my objectives ambitious yet attainable? Am I equipped with the necessary resources and support to make them a reality?

Have you ever considered the impact you have on the people around you? Whether you're aware of it or not, your actions can create a significant difference in your workplace, social circles, and even within your family. The key question to ask yourself is, "Is the impact I'm making a positive one?"

We have developed a culture in which effort is considered a success, not only in parenting but in the corporate world. I do believe that this was born out of a genuine desire to be more positive, supportive, and encouraging than previous generations were thought to be. But have we taken it too far?

There was no note, no vase, no one there to tell me what was going on. Just the flowers in their plastic packaging…

“The only way out is through,” but I ask, “what about when the path through resembles a brick wall?”