Passionate about leadership development to help others realize their full potential and on a journey to learn and grow more every day
This week, guest author Mitch Watson joins us to talk about multiplying growth.
Leveraging Hermann Hesse’s short story, Journey to the East, Mitch takes us on a trip from Marine Corps Basic training to mountain goat trails where a traveling party seeks to understand where true leadership lies: in the guide or the servants?
His message of serving others and multiplying leadership is a key component of successful human beings.
This is one you don’t want to miss!
Be great today!
Steve
Have you ever been in the wrong conversation? I have.
I thought we were talking about one thing, but the other person was expecting something completely different out of our engagement.
This happens to people more than they care to admit. So, this week we look at the three types of conversations and make sure we’re in the right one!
Be great today!
Steve
This week, we have first-time guest author RJ Johnson joining The Maximum Standard. He brings an outstanding narrative on how leadership is comparable to a blacksmith forging a sword.
The five-step forging process mirrors leaders developing their organizations. Trust me, you will think about leading differently after this insightful article.
Be great today!
Steve
Have you ever noticed that on a failed project, some people immediately deflect blame while others take responsibility for their actions?
There’s a theory about this called the Accountability Ladder. This week, we dig into the eight rungs of the ladder and the different levels of accountability each person may admit to owning.
This theory will help us understand why some people make excuses and others find solutions. It’s a great way to assess our team… and ourselves.
Be great today!
Steve
In today’s texting culture, phone calls have become annoying to many. But when that phone rings, we have an opportunity to truly assist the person on the other end.
Tom Console is back with his eighth article on this platform. Today, he articulates the importance of capitalizing on the small moments in life, such as a ringing phone, to have big impact.
Be great today!
Steve
I’d like to think there is a back room where people are ready to swoop in and solve all my work problems. But the reality is, no one is coming to save us.
This week, we unpack the mindset that we are accountable to our lives and must make decisions with the assumption that our bosses or co-workers won’t rescue us. At the same time, we should always be on the lookout for opportunities to help others.
These two mindsets are powerful.
Be great today!
Steve
We can’t ever forget that leadership is more than transactional. Guest author Mike Posey is back writing for The Maximum Standard with his fourth article on the site.
This time, he looks into how trust, purpose, and endurance are all requirements for leading others. You do not want to miss his exceptional narrative!
Be great today!
Steve
Welcome to 2026 where many people are focused on their New Year’s goals.
This year, I went a different route. Instead of trying to accomplish “things,” I want to try to “become” a better person. This article is about “doing” less things and becoming more.
We hope this puts a new spin on future goals without having to abandon them.
Be great today!
Steve
The Maximum Standard