I’m dazzled when I run across people who produce enormous amounts of work with seemingly little effort. This requires focus and attention, a challenge in our distraction-laden environments.
It also requires prioritization, because simply put, you can’t do it all.
The phrase “emotional intelligence” makes most people’s eyes glaze over. It sounds like something from a leadership seminar that everyone will forget by Friday. But the concept behind it—understanding yourself and working well with others—is crucial for any successful team.
The trick is discussing these skills without resorting to buzzwords that make people tune out.
Leadership is often portrayed as empowering and rewarding—and it is. But what’s talked about less is the isolation that can come with it. The higher up you go, the fewer people you can confide in. Decisions carry more weight, and the pressure to appear confident and in control can make vulnerability feel like a risk.
This sense of solitude isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a reality for many in senior roles. But it doesn’t have to be a permanent or paralyzing condition.
In today’s fast-paced and complex work environments, technical skills and strategic thinking are essential — but they’re no longer enough. The real differentiator between good leaders and great ones? Emotional intelligence (EQ).
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions be aware of the emotions of others. It includes self-awareness, empathy, self-regulation, motivation, and social skills. Leaders who excel in these areas don’t just get results — they build trust, loyalty, and high-performing cultures.
Have you thought about what inspires you to achieve greatness? Does the thought of it excite and drive you, or does it overwhelm?
Napoleon Hill said, “If you can’t do great things, do small things in a great way. Don’t wait for great opportunities. Seize common, everyday ones and make them great.”
We often talk about the importance of knowing when to say “no”, especially if you’re someone who says “yes” almost indiscriminately.
When you focus on when to say “no” your decision is tactical. You’re typically managing your time – and yourself – so that you don’t over commit.
Have you ever gotten so wrapped up in a project that you completely lost track of time? It feels great when that happens – you’re working “in the zone” and are usually in a peak productive state.
But how can you replicate that feeling on a regular basis? You need to learn to create your own momentum. What you’ll find is that although it’s a little different for each person, certain factors are universal.
Have you ever faced a problem that was so complex that you found it difficult to solve?
Of course, you have. Everyone goes through this from time to time. I’ve noticed that people go into a state of spin as they try to solve them. This is because typically they only address the issues on the surface. They don’t take that “deeper dive” to get to the core issue.
I had just settled into my seat on a crowded Amtrak train, when I realized that the public address speaker was uncomfortably close to my head. I discovered this because it was sputtering an annoying static sound.
It seemed like a long time before a conductor appeared, and of course, for every moment that passed, the noise seemed to get louder. Eventually, someone responded to my request and took care of the problem.
Fast. Faster. Fastest. We live in a world where speed is valued highly. If you’re not going fast enough, how can you stay in the race?
I’m all for speed; in fact, if you don’t pay attention to it, you can be left behind in a heartbeat. I also know that you need to manage speed, because if you whiz along constantly at high speed without taking a breath, someone else or something else will slow you down.