by Larry Dressler | Mar 19, 2019 | In My Tool Bag
Most high performing teams run fast and furious. Moving at that kind of pace we often walk into our meetings and jump right into the agenda. While hitting the ground running may feel productive, something gets lost: We fail to look up from our devices and to-do lists,...
by Larry Dressler | Mar 13, 2019 | On My Mind
In my free time, I carve wooden spoons. The process of carving a spoon is quite simple: Draw a spoon on a piece of wood and then carve away the extraneous material. Unlike art forms that are additive, spoon carving involves incremental subtraction — gradually...
by Larry Dressler | Mar 6, 2019 | From My Bookshelf
Conformity – going with the established ways of doing things — is a reasonable strategy when it comes to navigating your career. It’s the path of least resistance. But according to author Adam Grant, if you want to change the world, you must pursue the path of...
by Larry Dressler | Feb 20, 2019 | On My Mind
There are many versions of “really awful” at work. Your boss is absent or worse – an unappreciative, narcissistic bully. Or maybe you’ve realized that the philosophy or direction of your organization just doesn’t fit your values and you feel out of integrity. Perhaps...
by Larry Dressler | Feb 12, 2019 | In My Tool Bag
Recently at a senior executive team retreat, one member of the team questioned the necessity of the two-day off-site gathering. The executive rationalized that: “We are a group of department heads paid to run our own shows. If I’m honest I’m not sure why I need to be...
by Larry Dressler | Feb 5, 2019 | On My Mind
Over the past 25 years, I have facilitated about 300 strategy conversations across more than 70 industries. When I think about the client organizations that went on to be most successful, one insight stands out: They were more focused on the quality of their...
by Larry Dressler | Jan 23, 2019 | From My Bookshelf
“True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.” Brene’ Brown Most of us want to belong. We want to be accepted, liked, and admired. Sometimes we feel that the only way to get this external validation is to silence an...
by Larry Dressler | Jan 16, 2019 | In My Tool Bag
One of my favorite writers, Margaret Wheatley, wrote: “You can’t hate someone whose story you know.” I would add that when you learn a person’s story you can’t help but see part of yourself in them. Our stories reveal parts of us that transcend resumes and elevator...
by Larry Dressler | Jan 9, 2019 | On My Mind
When Linda and I lived in the state of Washington we planted a small orchard of apple and pear trees on our property. About three years after planting I began to notice discoloration on the leaves of the trees. I responded by spraying, dusting, and trimming back the...
by Larry Dressler | Dec 18, 2018 | Who I Read Online
In an expression of gratitude, I am sharing about some of my favorite bloggers, writers, and thinkers while taking a break from writing my own blog. For me, reading Parker Palmer’s blog often feels like I am reading a letter I wrote to myself – one that reminds me of...
