Category Archives: Uncategorized

September 29, 2026 by Stephen T. Messenger Visiting the 9/11 crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 last week in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, it was impossible to miss, upon this hallowed ground, the echoes of both the gravity of that horrific event and the heroism of American citizens. The terrorist hijackers were most likely targeting theContinue reading “Let’s Roll: The Three Ways Doing Nothing Makes Things Worse”

I’ve been fascinated by Netflix documentaries lately. If you haven’t watched ones like Washington, Lincoln, and Grant, you’re missing out. All of these leaders accomplished incredible things, and while it’s not explicitly stated, the films depict them as destined for greatness from an early age.

Yes, they had hiccups early on, such as parents who died, childhood sicknesses, depression, and life challenges, but they overcame them to achieve country-changing impact. An early George Washington was described in the documentaries as someone who was about to explode onto the national scene, as if it were preordained.

This makes the Great Man Theory an interesting concept, but it has a number of flaws. When people assume leaders have to be born great, they neglect the ability for a person to evolve and mature over time. A better way to look at greatness is not that we are born great, but that we can become great by our choices, attitudes, and the people around us.

Greatness is not born, but made.

More of the article in the link.

Be great today!

Steve

As the captain of our organizational ship, we have a number of different people on the boat.

Will Mancini breaks them down into four categories: stowaways, pirates, passengers, and crewmembers. Each one comes with a different way of looking at the organization and contributing, and not all of them are good.

This week, we unpack each category, throw in a bunch of ship analogies, and help get out people to be great crewmembers.

Be great today!

Steve

How do you handle a decision made by the boss which doesn’t seem right?

This is a hard question. When the boss makes or is leaning toward a certain decision, and we disagree, there are a number of ways to handle it.

The key is finding a way to convince the boss we’re right (assuming we are) in the most appropriate timing and setting.

If you’ve ever thought about how to convince a boss they’re wrong, this article is for you.

Be great today!

Steve

How many of us have actually read the foundational documents that shape our nation?

I’ve done…okay. If I’m honest, I’ve read many, but have also fallen short on classics like the Federalist Papers. Perhaps you can relate.

For those, I’ve relied on summaries, secondary analyses, or distant memories from early in my career rather than directly digesting the core texts of American strategy.

If we want to be students of our nation and mildly interesting at a dinner party, we can’t afford to outsource our understanding of the American experiment. We need to go back to the primary sources.

This week we look at 20 foundational documents (most short reads) and develop a 30-day plan to get through some of them. Links and summaries included.

I hope you’ll join us for some if not all.

Be great today!

Steve

One out of every three workers is unhappy with their job. That means one in three people could be actively seeking new employment.

Frederick Herzberg identified this problem with his Two-Factor Theory. He found that job satisfaction is based not on extrinsic factors such as pay, policies, and conditions, but on intrinsic factors such as achievement and recognition.

When we focus on the right things, we can improve employee satisfaction which leads to greater benefits.

This week, we explain how to do so.

Be great today!

Steve

“That’s the way we’ve always done it.” I love to question things and hate when I get that answer.

But I found myself using the same phrase recently. Why? Because I became a prisoner of Organizational Stockholm Syndrome and started loving bad ways of doing business.

But all is not lost. This week we explore three ways to break out of the prison and get back to making change that matters.

Be great today!

Steve

The cavalry charge on a battlefield was one of the most feared attacks a defender could face. Hundreds or even thousands of horses, galloping across an open plain, made both the ground and defenders quake.

A “charge” is basically when a military unit decides to go “all in” on their attack. In leadership, we sometimes have to ask ourselves: Should I go all in on this project, investing time, money, and people?

This week, we unpack three famous military “charges,” link them to three business cases, and think about, “Should I charge?”

Be great today!

Steve

This week, guest author Mike Corkum walks us through mentoring others.

Most people think mentoring is a one-size fits all approach: sit someone down and mentor them.

Mike takes his 23 years of military mentorship both to and from others and helps us understand what mentorship looks like at the tactical, operational, and strategic level.

If you are a mentor, want to be one, or are being mentored, this article is for you!

Be great today!

Steve

I’ve listened to hundreds of speeches and presentations over the years, yet I remember very few.

The ones I do remember, I can only recall one or two key phrases. So how do we get our message to stick when talking to other people.

This week we dive into how to make our message memorable. If we want people to remember what we’ve said long after we walk out of the room, this week is for you.

Be great today!

Steve

Have you ever gone somewhere to meet someone new? Honestly, it’s a little awkward, finding the building or room and launching right into a meet-and-greet. You’re on their turf and are feeling it out while they’re comfortable and confident in their territory. But in those initial stages of team building, it’s important to get off on the right foot.

If we flip the script and find ourselves with the home field advantage, a way to make the other person feel more comfortable is by meeting them at the door. I am convinced that taking time to greet someone as far forward as possible is a game changer for building relationships and a skill we should all master.

Full article in the link below.

Br great today!

Steve

If you’ve been watching the World Cup, perhaps you caught Norway’s historic run to the semi-finals.

The interesting part about this team is that they develop young athletes in a completely different way than most countries. Instead of high-performance youth sports, they allow kids to choose their own path.

What this creates are athletes with purpose, multi-dimensional players, and passionate sports participants.

By taking a page out of Norway’s book, perhaps we can develop workers of high quality by leveraging Norway’s theories.

Full article in this week’s Maximum Standard.

Be great today!

Steve

This Fourth of July was amazing, recognizing our Nation’s 250th anniversary. Many of us celebrated with parades, barbecues, and fireworks.

It was awesome! So why don’t we take these same lessons into our workplace to improve culture?

This week, we explore using the Independence Day model of regular touchpoints, food and fellowship, and celebrating wins to build workplace culture. When we start small, it gets a lot easier.

Be great today!

Steve

It’s natural to want to bury our failures. However, the best of us embrace them as learning opportunities and gain a competitive advantage through our mistakes.

This week, first-time guest author to The Maximum Standard, Patrick Mulloy, provides a captivating case study on the challenging birth of the Joint Special Operations Command, his own personal trials, and a practical framework to help us learn through failure.

Check out his memorable R-DEAR framework at the link below.

Be great today!

Steve

The Flow: A state of mind where we are so immersed in the material that everything comes together perfectly. It’s like an athlete that is “in the zone.”

This term came to me through a LinkedIn contact the other day. Digging into the concept, there are 10 things we need to be “flowing.”

While it’s hard to achieve, it’s much easier when we know how to chase it. This week, we talk through concepts to achieve “the flow.”

Be great today!

Steve

There’s usually one person at work who does more than their fair share. Perhaps that’s you.

They’re the movers and shakers of the group, usually having their hands in everything. After a while, however, it’s easy for this personality type to get burned out.

Instead of crushing the workhorse, we must ensure the workload is distributed fairly across the entire team. In doing so, we use our best employees where they are truly needed.

This week, we use the fable of “Stone Soup” to describe how to protect our best and brightest.

Be great today!

Steve

We all want to be resilient. It’s a shame that life has a way of testing that concept.

Just when we survive a winter, the next one comes rolling in. But as a leader, it’s critical that we endure the problems of life and set the example for everyone around us that we can lead through adversity.

This week, we explore this concept through the lens of the Continental Army at Valley Forge, and what we can do to thrive during an emotionally hard winter.

Be great today!

Steve

We all want to be part of a team with a positive and unwavering culture, the glue that holds people together. Organizations that have this consist of people who will do anything to complete the mission and watch out for each other. This should be on the forefront of our minds as we seek to create an enduring culture that survives the good times and the bad.

Few teams demonstrated this more than the 16th Maine Regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg. Their culture endured no matter the difficult mission or circumstances.

We can learn from this unit on how to build a long-lasting culture that remains even in defeat.

Full article at the link below.

Be great today!

Steve

In a military road march, the pace of the entire formation is kept by the person who is struggling at the back of the line. If that soldier falls behind, the whole unit slows down to match their pace.

Most organizations operate the same way, spending the majority of their effort ensuring the bottom percentage can maintain pace.

Netflix realized they couldn’t afford to slow the company down when one person fell back. This week, we investigate their talent density model and see what parts can be used where we’re at.

Be great today!

Steve

This week, third-time guest author RJ Johnson joins us to talk about change.

Changing organizational momentum is hard! A new leader shows up, has great ideas, and tries to implement them all at once – dangerous!

Instead, RJ argues that leading change is like gardening. We need to carefully plant our crop through preparation, nourishment, pruning, and support to produce a harvest.

This is an important narrative from a leader who’s been there.

Be great today!

Steve

We can all agree it feels terrible to fail. It makes us feel inferior, embarrassed, sad, and, well, like a disappointment. It’s something most of us try to avoid at all costs, yet falling short is the key that helps us improve little by little.

I’m currently teaching an elective on this topic. Over the course of five weeks, I challenged students to conduct exercises where they will not be successful. Each exercise is designed to try something, learn from it, and get better.

On the first week, the task was to break the world record for tallest card house.

Full story below to include my house of cards.

Be great today!

Steve

It’s easy to read someone’s biography and stand in awe of their accomplishments. After all, bios are designed to be impressive.

But behind the achievements and success is a flurry of failures. No one has a perfect resume, is batting 1.000, or has stopped every goal fired against them.

As Jack Hughes, U.S. Gold Medal hockey Olympian, who took a stick to the face, lost a few teeth, and scored the game winning goal a few minutes later.

Like Jack, we have to be willing to take the hit in order to get to our victories. Once we can embrace our failures, then we can build a resume to be proud of.

Be great today!

Steve

We all want to be in the in-group, the one where people are “in the know” and making decisions as a small team.

But this is exactly the wrong way to go about our work life. Ironically, when we relinquish the desire to move into the circle of influence and instead work with diligence, teamwork, and ethics, we often find ourselves inside it.

This week we explore a great short story by C.S. Lewis and find influence in letting go.

Be great today!

Steve

The world likes to define our potential. It often measures our performance by observing a few snapshots in time and imposes judgment on what we can accomplish in the future.

However, the world has no idea what our true potential is, and, honestly, neither do we.

This week, we look at Thomas Edison and how he shrugged off the world’s definition of his potential at a young age, thanks to his mom. We also take a quick and harrowing trip into New York City.

Don’t let anyone limit you.

Be great today!

Steve

I am currently gearing up to teach a class on Stoicism and deep into Marcus Aurelius’s book, “Meditations.”

The first chapter is called “Debts and Lessons,” where he references 16 people from his past and what they taught him. These lessons he carried into ruling the Roman Empire, and they helped him become known as the last of the “Five Good Emperors.”

Meditating on people in our lives and how they helped us is an amazing thought exercise. This week, I gave it a try and learned why it’s so important to do this.

Be great today!

Steve

This week, Wes Lewis, a first-time guest author to The Maximum Standard, joins us with an exceptional narrative on transitioning leadership skills throughout our careers.

Wes, a 25-year U.S. Army veteran and now retired, has travelled the globe in volunteer and community service. He brings us an observation on how military leadership is not just a useful construct in the service, but everywhere, from the rank-and-file regiments to the social impact organizations in Bali.

Leadership structure affects organizations, and if you’re not consciously tracking this, you may be missing something. Wes fills in the gaps.

Be great today!

Steve

In an Easter miracle this Sunday, the U.S. military rescued its downed Air Force officer shot down over Iran. For around 48 hours, a weapons systems officer serving as the back-seater in an F-15 Strike Eagle fighter was reported missing by the military, and the nation was praying this person would be found alive and brought home. Frankly, it wasn’t looking good.

Yet in an amazing comeback story, reports of the officer’s rescue graced the headlines on Easter Sunday. I can’t imagine what this service member was going through, evading Iranian hunting parties seeking the bounty put out by their government. What I do know is that the experience was traumatic, terrifying, and potentially deadly. Moreover, I know that this officer never gave up hope.

There’s a reason why we should never quit, even when all seems lost. It’s a great reminder that no matter how dire the situation is, optimism, hope, and endurance always give us a chance to win the day.

Read the rest of the article below.

Be great today!

Steve

“I’d rather be lucky than good.”

People often say or think this when cutting things close. But in practice, it’s flawed reasoning where it’s not a choice of one or the other: lucky or good. Instead, luck happens when we create opportunities by taking action in the spaces around us.

Today, Alex Le join us as a multi-article author with a great narrative on making our own luck centered around the USS Laffey in WWII.

Be great today!

Steve

The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament has narrowed from the 68 teams that started to the Final Four. It has been amazing to watch, knowing that any team, on any given day, can win one of these games. Life is a lot like that. Sometimes we just have to put ourselves out there and try things in which we may not succeed.

This week, we talk about the three big lessons from this year’s tournament, and impress the need for us all to get out on that court and play!

Be great today!

Steve

Last weekend, I wandered the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg. What struck me as I learned more about the battle was how the past informs the future.

Dwight Eisenhower understood this. He came to Gettysburg as a Cadet in 1915, then faced the same challenges during D-Day as some of the 1863 commanders faced.

This week we explore how Pickett’s Charge and D-Day were eerily similar, and how we need to be students of the past to help in future decisions.

Be great today!

Steve

A Nazi guard ripped out the lining of his coat, seized his manuscript, and threw years of intellectual labor into the fire. In that moment, Viktor Frankl had a choice. He could mentally give up on living or choose to wake every day to recreate his life’s work.

Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning is a glimpse into both the best and worst of human behavior. After reading the book (highly recommend), this week we contemplate our purpose in life, why to get out of bed in the morning, and link Frankl’s experience to the Stoics.

Be great today!

Steve

Would you want to sit next to yourself on a bus? That’s the question we ask ourselves today, or to phrase it differently: Are you likable?

Pulling from a social scientist, a podcaster, and Dale Carnegie, we take a look at what makes people exceptionally likable, and how we can be more that way as well.

Being likable is a superpower that we all have the ability to influence. We just have to want it.

Be great today!

Steve

There are countless books on how to lead when we’re in charge… how about when we’re not?

Guest author, Joe McAlarnen, joins us today to talk about leading through “the squish,” the ambiguous middle where leadership is required, but we aren’t officially in charge.

We’ve all been there, and his three categories on mastering the squish are a must for all of us with all the responsibility yet none of the authority.

Be great today!

Steve

Raise your hand if you love meetings. Hmmm, no takers I see.

I agree. It’s never fun to sit in a meeting when we could be productive, but when done right, meetings are a powerful tool to move the organization in a positive direction.

This week we look at the four types of meetings that every organization needs. When we use them right, they are a force for good, instead of a point of frustration.

Be great today!

Steve

This week, new author to The Maximum Standard, Jerel Foster takes us to the airport.

Have you ever watched someone attempt to board with their authorized one carry-on, but actually has an illegal four? This is representative of his ingenious “Carry-on Bag Theory,” where he highlights the importance of everyone playing by the rules, especially when left unchecked.

This clever narrative observes shoppers leaving carts in the parking lot and travelers making carry-on bag violations, and he argues why organizations must correct this by enforcing rules.

This is a lesson we all need to hear.

Be great today!

Steve

What’s your chronotype?

A chronotype is the natural inclination that we all have to sleep, eat, exercise, and engage best during certain parts of the day. There are generally four types: lion, bear, wolf, and dolphin.

If we know our type, we know when we’re most productive during the day. The real question is, are we ignoring this information or harnessing its power?

Read more to capitalize on this important concept.

Be great today!

Steve

RJ Johnson returns today with an incredible narrative on trust. He compares trust in an organization to a bucket that is filled and emptied. This metaphor is incredibly appropriate for any workplace.

My favorite line: “Here is the uncomfortable truth. Most organizations say they value trust but operate on fear.” He then goes on to help us improve.

Thanks, RJ!

Be great today!

Steve

I have a new rallying cry at work: Never eat lunch at your desk.

This past month, I’ve been inviting people to the common area to break bread, and we found that it builds relationships, increases happiness, and makes us more productive.

If you’re looking for a simple work hack to improve your day, this article is for you!

Be great today!

Steve

So what?

These two words are a powerful enabler that allows us to explore issues more deeply. When used right, it professionally challenges those around us to solve problems more effectively.

This morning, Alex Le joins us as a guest author to explain the question we all need to ask more. This exceptional leader with a background of military and educational experience delivers a strong narrative to use “So what” in a useful way.

Be great today!

Steve

Have you heard of Schrodinger’s Cat? I haven’t until this week. But what it taught me was profound!

I learned that we can live in a state of being both right and wrong, and not even know it. Often, it’s a communication problem. We explore some simple remedies in this article to help mitigate our issues.

If you haven’t yet, try the podcast version of this message in the car next time. Audio is at the top of the article.

Be great today!

Steve

How do we transform individual people with all their different backgrounds and biases into one cohesive team? Today, Sean Elwin and Jacob Pattison address this challenge.

Through the lens of basic training, recruitment techniques, and the Heterogeneity Dilemma, these two excellent authors help us all build teams by focusing on culture.

This is Sean’s third article and Jacob’s second. Send us a note if you want to write one as well – we have editors standing by.

Be great today!

Steve

Humans have a tendency to make snap judgments about others based on initial impressions. How do I know? Because I do it all the time.

There’s a scientific name for this: the halo and the horn effect. We assign halos to people based on perceived positive appearances, and devilish horns to those we judge as having negative appearances.

This is dangerous as a story from my initial military training will demonstrate. We all do this, and you won’t want to miss this article.

Be great today!

Steve

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

As we wind down 2025, this last article of the year is about recharging over the holidays while setting conditions for a successful 2026.

These two things may seem opposite, but they actually go hand-in-hand. We have a great opportunity in the next few weeks to be postured on January 1st in a great position.

We hope you’ll take the advice in the article and get ready to rock 2026!

Be great today!

Steve

Have you heard the story about the art teacher who assigned his students into two groups? One to make a perfect vase. The other to make as many vases as they can.

The lesson is clear: when we obsess over perfection, we spend all our energy trying to be flawless. When we focus on repeated attempts, failure, and iteration, we learn through every cycle, and our skills improve naturally.

If you want to learn how to improve at anything, this article is for you!

Be great today!

Steve

This week, we dig into six key lessons from the ancient Spartans in Greece. They earned a reputation as a team to stand against any threat and complete their goals.

Here, we look at their mindset and preparation and dissect lessons that make us all better when we tackle any project.

Be great today!

Steve

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sometimes I (mistakenly) act like this time of year is an internal chance to give thanks.

While that’s one part of the equation, external gratitude is so critical to our success in working with teams at work and home.

Be thankful today!

Steve

Leaders talk often about resilience. But we rarely talk about limitations, those dark, scary weaknesses we like to keep hidden.

But what happens when the world narrows and something we’ve always relied upon disappears overnight?

A shoulder surgery last week and my temporary one-handed life led me to Nicholas James Vujicic and a lesson in overcoming.

If you don’t know this man’s story, you have to read this one!

Be great today!

Steve

One of my most admired attributes in other leaders is character. It often manifests itself in the quiet confidence of knowing that person is acting with utmost propriety.

This week, three-time guest author Alexander Limber writes about the strength of character shown by the great Norman Schwarzkopf we should all strive for: professionalism, self-discipline, and compassion.

Be great today!

Steve

Happy Birthday, United States Marine Corps!

I know many Marines, and today’s author, Sean Elwin, embodies the Corps. He wrote this warfighting love letter to celebrate 250 years of our Devil Dogs service to the Nation.

I encourage you to sing the Marine Corps Hymn today and read this combat narrative on the legacy and character of our Marines.

From basic training to the shores of Tripoli… be great today!

Steve

Communication is only effective when we truly understand our audience. From ancient philosophy to modern crises, the most skilled communicators succeed by tailoring their messaging to who is listening, the emotional context, and the purpose behind their words. When this alignment fails, even well-intentioned messages can backfire dramatically.

This week, we look at the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and how we can all learn to communicate better by planning our words.

Be great today!

Steve

Have you ever heard someone use the word “VUCA”? It’s often tossed around as shorthand for, “Things are crazy out there!”

But VUCA isn’t just a buzzword. It stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, four distinct conditions that challenge every leader.

This week, we’ll break down each one through both military and parenting examples, and explore how strong leaders can steady themselves and their teams when the world turns VUCA.

Be great today!

Steve

“I know what I like, and I like what I know.” While this is a great marriage mantra, it’s terrible for organizations who must constantly make changes to be competitive.

This week we look at John Kotter’s Eight-Step Change Model through the lens of one of my failures… and learn how to do it better.

If you have to drive organizational change, this one is for you.

Be great today!

Steve

In the moment, a major failure seems catastrophic. But hidden inside that collapse is the foundation for something stronger, if we choose to rebuild it.

Today, we’ll discuss how failure is similar to the five stages of grief and argue there’s a sixth phase to processing failure and that is improvement.

Fail up and be great today!

Steve

What is your superpower?

We all have one, but not everyone can readily identify what it is. This week we look at superpowers through the eyes of the Philadelphia Eagles and explore how we can find our own.

When we learn to drive our superpower forward, like the Eagles’ unstoppable push, there truly is no limit to how far we can move our teams.

Be great today!

Steve

What is the identity of your group? If you can’t answer this simple question, it’s one you need to think about.

This week we explore why a shared corporate identity is so important and how to develop one, all through the eyes of the Iron Brigade, one of many heroes at Gettysburg.

Establish your organizational identity and be great today.

Steve

September 23, 2025 by Stephen T. Messenger There truly is only one finite resource we have and that’s time. There are ways to gain more money, knowledge, relationships, information, and more, but we can’t gain or lose time. It simply marches on. That’s why we need to harness the power of the clock to ourContinue reading “The Pomodoro Technique: Managing Time Like a Pro”

September 16, 2025 by Stephen T. Messenger In the bloodiest battle of the Civil War at Gettysburg, Confederate General Robert E. Lee had to make a decision that would change the course of the war. It was a paralyzing choice, one where there was no right answer, and a decision which would have a significantContinue reading “Dealing with Paralyzing Decisions: Pickett’s Charge”

There are few impulses that are more powerful than the urge to criticize someone else’s work. I say that tongue-in-cheek, but leaders who are continuously seeking to complete the mission and make the organization better want to provide advice to help us. When we’re on the receiving end, however, we frequently struggle to view feedback through the right lens and process it effectively…

When someone gives us feedback, it’s a gift. In this present, there’s an art to receiving and using it to advance our personal and professional growth.

Read More at the Link

Be great today!

Steve

September 2, 2025 by Stephen T. Messenger Most of us aren’t taught to say no, yet it may be the most powerful skill we have. Last month, we talked about saying no to things. There was such a positive response, I wanted to dig a little deeper. There are only a limited number of hoursContinue reading “Saying No is Saying Yes to More Important Things”

This week we dropped off my daughter for her last year of college. It made me reflect about the advice we gave her on her first year.

These three pieces of wisdom came from all of us: me, my wife, and my daughter. Usually, the best advice is not what we give, but what we get… and applicable well outside of college…

Be great today!

Steve

Sometimes, we face problems that are brutal to solve. I did last week when I was face-to-face with a swarm of yellow jackets.

Archimedes created a solution. Instead of trying harder to face a problem head-on, leverage the tools around us to make problem-solving easier.

This week we look at four ways how using a lever makes us more efficient.

Be great today!

Steve

Time is the most valuable commodity we have, yet it’s constantly under attack. The real challenge isn’t just managing our time, it’s defending it. And the best defense is simple: say “no” more often.

This week we dig into time vampires, things that drain hours from our lives without a return on investment.

We all have them. We all need to fight them.

Be great today!

Steve

We all have a voice in our heads that keeps a running commentary of our lives. Like a sports commentator, although far less objective or professional, it quickly interprets events around us and makes judgments that feed our story. The problem is, the inner narrator is not always reliable, therefore we need to control the story, so it doesn’t control us.

Read more below and be great today!

Steve

We all experience failure. What matters is not that we failed, but how we recover and learn from our experiences. We must learn to treat failure not as a defining moment, but as one step in a long arc of growth.

Join us this week as we explore one of my personal failures along with a few of our heroes and how we can all grow through them.

Be great today!

Steve

“But did you do your best?” That question was posed to Jimmy Carter during an interview from a Navy Admiral. These six words changed the trajectory of Carter’s path.

This week we use this story paired with another great president, Teddy Roosevelt, to understand why… and when… to do our best.

Be great today!

Steve

This week, we look at one of my favorite stories of Hercules deciding to choose either the easy or hard life.

We all have this choice — to take the shortcuts or put in the effort. Ultimately, this choice is tempting, yet obvious, and Hercules shows us the right answer.

If you haven’t heard this story before, it’s an eye opener.

Be great today!

Steve

There is something uniquely American about the concept of failure. While our nation has seen unparalleled greatness and influence on the world’s stage throughout its history, upon closer examination, we can see that this success is forged in failure.

This week, join Mike Posey walking us through the failures of our foremost founding father, Westward expanders, and space-bound explorers to show how we also achieve greatness even after catastrophe.

We’ve all gotten vague directions from a boss. With the good ones, it’s easy. We ask, clarify, and move out. But with others, we hesitate. Let’s be honest. Sometimes, we’re scared to ask.

Leaders need to cultivate an environment of approachability with their people. Those who are personable, open to questions, and team players create an environment where others feel free to question their boss’s intent without fear of repercussion. Those who aren’t can cripple an organization…

Be great today!

Steve

We are in positions of leadership to plan appropriately and solve problems. This charge is often easy to forget when the volume of small questions becomes overwhelming and all land in our lap. Multiple people asking the same questions can get frustrating, but it’s important to welcome those questions instead of expecting others to know every detail of what we’re thinking.

By listening to and answering these questions as they arise, we can both build confidence in our leadership and show people they’re valued. That lesson hit home for me just last week when I found myself navigating this very issue on two fronts: one leading an event at work and one volunteering at church.

In a follow up to last week’s article, this week we ask, “How many times in our career have we not felt psychologically safe?” Was I ever afraid to question my boss? My answer is uncomfortably high.

This week we dig into psychological safety and how it affects the culture of our organization. This is a must share this with our teams to have an open discussion on where we’re at.

Be great today!

Steve

Have you ever asked the boss this question: What do you need me to do?

If so, it’s time to rethink that ask. What our boss needs us to do is know what needs to be done… without us asking.

This week, with a little help from General Buford at Gettysburg, we explore why that’s the case and how to be an enabler to the boss without asking

Be great today!

Steve

Mike Posey joins us for the second time with an exceptional narrative of generating exponential organizational growth.

Using a “coaching tree” analogy, Mike walks us through sports, military, and educational mentors and encourages us to be the next one to develop others.

You do not want to miss this one!

Be great today!

Steve

True leadership involves embracing challenges rather than avoiding them.

This week, we draw on historical figures and stoic philosophy to highlight the importance of grit, determination, and optimism in overcoming obstacles. Leaders who are eager to confront difficulties underscore that adversity reveals their greatest qualities.

Be great today!

Steve

There’s a reason for the phrase “Patience is a virtue.” Because it’s hard!

This week we discuss the importances and challenges of trusting the process. Real growth takes time, and we need to be all in to make it work.

Be great today!

Steve

Success isn’t just about talent, practice, or luck—it’s about envisioning success.

Join Tom Console in helping us understand how elite performers like the U.S. Navy Blue Angels use visualization to achieve excellence. Today, he walks us through key principles to reach our highest levels.

Be great today!

Steve

Are you a pacesetter?

Pacesetting leadership involves setting high standards and expecting team members to match the leader’s pace. While it can drive efficiency and attract ambitious individuals, it may also lead to burnout, low morale, and a lack of trust.

This week we investigate the time and place to use this style.

Be great today!

Steve

Do you have a personal leadership philosophy? You should!

The week, guest author Chad Maynard argues the importance of developing our leadership narrative and outlines his.

If you haven’t thought about how to communicate your leadership, this article is for you!

Be great today!

Steve

I’m teaching a class on leadership ethics, and this week we jumped into Stoicism. Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome, attempted to live out the four virtues of this practice to improve every day.

This week we talk about the stoic framework on how to become a better leader and person.

Check out more at the link below

Be great today!

Steve

This week we reflect on the complexity of making significant life decisions and argue on the importance of betting on ourselves.

We see this in historical figures like Hamlet, Dwight Eisenhower, and Robert E. Lee that courage, clarity, and action are vital when faced with uncertainty.
Ultimately, we must use personal values and informed choices to guide us through difficult decisions.

Read more in the article and be great today!

Steve

In a world of constant demands and distractions, being organized is often the key differentiator between success and failure. As a leader, the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities without losing focus is a skill that can make or break both us and our organization.

This week guest author Aiden Sullivan brings a powerful message and suggestions for finding order in the chaos.

Read more at the link below

Giving encouragement is a lot like qualifying on a military rifle range. Targets pop up quickly, and we have only seconds to hit them.

Every day, people around us do great things. This week we look at learning how to spot opportunities, take aim, and lift others up in a way that truly matters.

Be great today!

Steve

Discipline. A term we throw around a lot but one hard to define.

This Thursday guest author Benji Patton expertly explains discipline and how two Medal of Honor recipients embody the word and how we can too.

An incredible narrative from another young, up-and-coming future Army officer!

Be great today!

Steve

A key quality is project completion. We all need people around us who are going to close out a task and move to the next one, not leave uncompleted projects in their wake.

This week, we look at closing from the perspective of a Major League pitcher, and work through the four pitfalls of incompleteness.

Be great today!

Steve

Does your team “get it?” Do they truly understand the organizational vision and values?

This was a problem two-time Maximum Standard author Jon Hodgin struggled with. But with a great plan centered around process of repetition, he and his boss turned it around.

If you want to improve your culture, this article is for you!

Be great today!

Steve

Ever managed a team during chaos—or calm? From toasting hamburger buns to leading high-stakes missions, this piece explores how leadership styles shift with the environment.

Learn how the Managerial Grid can help us balance care for people with mission success—and why knowing when to flex our style truly matters.

Be great today!

Steve

This week we welcome guest author Michael Posey with an exceptional narrative on life prioritization:

We all feel stressed at times. Often, this comes from the pressure we impose on ourselves, wishing to conquer the world by taking on multiple tasks and showcasing our talents.

When I feel overwhelmed, I remember the straightforward advice given to me by Retired Vice Admiral Barry Costello…

Read more below.

According to a 2024 Gallup poll, only 21% of employees feel passionate about their work.

This week we look at a theory called the Passion Pyramid and ways to unlock motivation in employees as they go through five stages of engagement.

Be great today!

Steve

Leadership is a lifelong journey that transcends our profession’s environments and borders. No longer confined solely to work life, we need leadership skills in our families, communities, and relationships. It must be cultivated from the time we leave our childhood homes and passed on to the next generation as we practice it for decades. While this concept applies across many professions…

Keep reading about the blending of profession and life below from guest Author Evan Corman, first time writer to The Maximum Standard.

It’s one thing to read about something—it’s another thing to do it. How often do we study up on a topic but never actually experience it? In contrast, the concept of experiential learning uses studying and doing to develop increased understanding, knowledge, and skills. We learn best by performing an activity, reflecting on it, analyzing the results, and doing it again.

Last weekend, I went on a 12-mile hike. It made me realize the difference between studying something and doing something

Read more at the link below.

Have you ever messed up at work? I have. Interestingly, the question is never if we messed up, but how we recover from it.

In another new author to The Maximum Standard, Jon Hodgin addresses this very issue from a point of leadership vulnerability to organizational success.

If you’ve ever erred at work like me, this one is for you.

Be great today!

Steve

Why do we want to quit things? I asked myself this as I climbed through the Appalachian Mountains on a bike, thinking about turning around before the top.

It turns out there are three competing components of our decision to quit or continue. Check it out in this week’s article.

Be great today!

Steve

Guest author Alexander Limber is back with a needed narrative on the importance of credibility. If we say we’re going to do something, trust levels are affected by whether we do it or not.

Another great read, this time from a lens of Douglas MacArthur and broken trust.

Be great today!

Steve

During times of uncertainty, we need leaders who will inspire us to do our best. This week we look at Manfred Kets de Vries 4-H Leadership Model to understand how humor, humility, humanity, and hope are crucial to leading others.

Be great today!

Steve

What soundtrack plays in other people’s minds when you walk into a room? Is the music inspiring? Scary? Depressing?

This morning guest author Alex Licia takes us on a soundtrack tour of different styles of Walk-Up Music and how it sets the stage for our leadership. You don’t want to miss this one!

Be great today!

Steve

I got beat down in ping pong the other week by a bunch of pros — and it was the best thing that could have happened to me!

Join us this week as we explore why hanging out with people better than us ups our game.

Be great today!

Steve

Have you ever faced an intractable problem that everyone else has given up on, but a solution was still needed? You’re in good company with Alexander the Great and everyone who’s ever lived…

This week we look at the Gordian Knot, Play-Doh, and ways to solve hard problems.

Be great today!

Steve

We all have blind spots that will one day humble us, if they haven’t already. Today, new author Tanner Harless joins us to talk about how forced humility can benefit us on our leadership journey.

Tanner uses personal experience and lessons from Tiger Woods to deliver another great message from a young leader in many different areas soon to become a U.S. Army Officer.

Be great today!

Steve

This week, first time contributor Jacob Pattison and I coauthor to discuss the challenge of matching leadership styles to individual employee tasks.

Great article by another new contributor. I’m telling you, we all struggle with this one!

Be great today!

Steve

In a special guest article, first time author Alexander Limber dives into the importance of servant leadership in the Army and any organization.

Servant leaders are more than just nice. They get results, improve performance, and build trust. Don’t miss his exceptional view of leading others.

Be great today!

Steve

The Sweet Spot of life is where our talents, passions, and opportunities converge. This week’s whiteboard fable looks at how to identify and articulate a place in life we all should be seeking and helping others reach.

Oh, and we included a terrible joke at the end you can use…

Be great today!

Steve

On a special Thursday edition, first time guest author Sean Elwin takes us through his experience at Marine Corps Basic Training.

His narrative on discipline helps us reflect on the importance of doing the right thing for our personal well-being, families, organizations, and Nation.

Do not miss this aggressive Marine narrative to inspire us all to get better.

Be great today!

Steve

If you don’t have a stakeholder analysis for your team, you’re missing out! This week’s Whiteboard Fable explores a simple way how to create one and prioritize, then engage more effectively with your most important relationships.

Every organization needs one of these!

Be great today!

Steve

My apologies – two mornings ago I sent out this article with a broken link. Well, it’s back, and it’s working!

Please check out Tom Console fantastic article about seeing life through our dog’s eyes. There is much to learn from our best friends, and today Tom helps us understand how to be better versions of ourselves through the lens of our pets.

Another home run, Tom!

Be great today.

Steve

This week we continue Whiteboard Fables with the Five Levels of Leadership. Just because we have position does not mean people are following.

I encourage you this week to reflect on where you are on the leadership pyramid and where you may need to go.

Be great today!

Steve

In our second week of Whiteboard Fables, we talk about the challenge of change. Hey, we all want to improve, but it’s tough.

The J Curve is a simple method to explain change to other and anticipate and mitigate challenges that come with it.

Be great today!

Steve

We are really excited to begin a series called Whiteboard Fables, a series of simple drawings we can use to coach others told in a short story format.

The first one we tackle is the Johari Window – a way of understanding how other people perceive us. Hope you not just read this but use it with others.

Be great today!

Steve

Happy New Year! After a short two-week break, we are back!

The first article of the year is about goal setting but with a twist. This year’s theme is to lift others up. I hope you’ll join me in a year of being the hype man or woman to those around us.

As a reminder, there’s always a podcast option to the article for a 10-minute car ride.

Be great this year!

Steve

As we look to the new year, I always think about what I want to accomplish in the next 12 months.

One thing is clear, sustained commitment to goals requires establishing habits. This week we explore the importance of small habits and incremental gains to do something amazing by next December.

Be great today!

Steve

This week we end the BRAG+1 Leadership series that started back in January. It has been an amazing year fleshing this theory out!

I encourage you to continue using the five characteristics of leadership that our people need from us to lead them well.

Be great today!

Steve

In our final leader case study, we examine the exceptional warrior-scholar General Stanley McChrystal. His mastery of the changing character of war led to great success.

Sadly, his career ended when he became a little too loose with his words leading to his resignation. This is a fascinating tale of success and struggle, and how even in failure, it’s not over.

Be great today!

Steve

This week we dig into the exceptional leadership of General Douglas MacArthur. This guy was amazing, but like our other case studies the last few weeks, he had one fatal flaw.

So much to learn through emulating these individuals and some things to avoid — in this case, hubris.

Be great today!

Steve

This week we dive into another exceptional military leader albeit flawed — this time through a massive ego.

General George Patton was an incredible BRAG+1 leaders except he bragged too much about himself and not enough about his team. We can all learn a lot through his great qualities while understanding the cautionary tale of Patton’s ego.

Be great today!

Steve

Teddy Roosevelt, one of my favorite presidents, embodied leadership qualities to “get it done!”

But is it possible to be too aggressive? This week we look at where he excelled at leading and where he may have crossed the line, and we use his stories to help us on our journey.

Be great today!

Steve

This week we continue with our second of six case studies on great military leaders with Civil War General William Sherman.

An exceptional leader, we investigate how a career of greatness can be erased with one negatively perceived act, and what we can learn by this.

Be great today!

Steve

This week we bring together all five leadership qualities that we’ve been talking about since January 16th and observe them through great military leaders.

Join us as we start with Ulysses S. Grant and his incredible military leadership at a young age clouded by an alcoholic haze.

Be great today!

Steve

The past 42 weeks we’ve been talking about the BRAG+1 leadership framework and five characteristics to lead well.

This week we set the stage to examine six great military leaders and their application of leadership through the lens of our framework.

Be great today!

Steve

It is so important to never quit communicating the ethical narrative. We must be the ones out front of the moral message to remind everyone that it’s expected to hold the moral high ground.

This week is about holding the line – we can do it! We also talk a little about firebombing campaigns.

Be great today!

Steve

This week, we investigate a case of missing sunglasses and George Washington’s Continental Army to understand that others may not look through the same ethical lens that we do.

Something to ponder and understand as we deal with moral incidents in our teams.

Be great today!

Steve

We all make mistakes. But it’s what we do after we make an ethical error that demonstrates the true character of a leader.

This week we investigate a stolen pen, the David Petraeus Scandal, and the art of an apology.

Be great today!

Steve

Twenty-one years ago, I made a poor lapse in judgment, and someone directly and immediately confronted me with what I did wrong. I have not forgotten it to this day.

Let me tell you my story.

Steve

If you haven’t stood in front of a group of people and laid out your value system, you’re missing out.

It’s important, impactful, and… a little scary. This week we investigate a framework for developing our “Leadership Constitution” and pitching it to our teams.

Be great today!

Steve

If you’ve been following along since January, you know that we’re on our BRAG+1 leadership framework and today starts the fifth leadership quality: Do not have a hint, sniff, or whiff of impropriety about us.

We explore stop sign ethics, broken window theory, and five things to do to reflect positive values.

Be great today!

Steve

Welcome back from Labor Day Weekend!

Today we’re digging into the good and bad of running too far ahead of our team. We’ll discuss my runaway dog, the Battle of Ia Drang, and Space-X, and the lessons we can learn from each.

Be far enough ahead to motivate, but not so far as to discourage others.

Be great today!

Steve

Last month I found myself working alone… and I needed help.

Organizational success is predicated on using teams to accomplish missions. We must all ensure we’re leading the charge, not running up the hill by ourselves.

This week we look at not fighting battles alone and why.

Be great today!

Steve

On a special Thursday edition, Tom Console is back dealing with the mountains and valleys of life.

We all have high highs and low lows, but the best versions of ourselves know how to deal with them.

Tom takes us through his personal journey and leads us all to manage our emotions during tough times.

Be great today!

Steve

Today we’re talking about a challenge we all have – ignoring problems.

I mean, who doesn’t want to hope a problem we don’t want to deal with goes away. But it’s so important we fix bayonets and charge the issue.

I also encourage you to check out the podcast version embedded in the top of the article – a great way to listen in the car!

Be great today!

Steve

This week, we continue our BRAG+1 series with the “G” or gun, and the importance of gaining victories for our team.

Through the lens of a household moving day and the Army’s Battle Drill 2 for platoon attacks, we explore our role in celebrating wins, understanding what that means, and taking more ground.

Be great today!

Steve

Winning is important. Just take the Olympics going on right now. The difference between gold and silver is immense.

This week we continue our BRAG+1 series with the importance of leading a winning team. Our case study with retired Marine Corps General James Mattis dives into three focus areas of strategic thinking, allies and partners, and having the right equipment to continue our winning trend.

Be great today!

Steve

This week we continue our BRAG+1 Leadership Series starting on the fourth quality of leadership close with and destroy the enemy.

Leaders must generate results. Period.

In this article, we look at the importance of establishing clear goals for our people to accomplish with the help of 1800s theorist Antoine Jomini and the 1991 Desert Storm campaign.

Be great today!

Steve

This week’s article is near and dear to my heart: Don’t shoot the messenger.

While I’ve mostly heard it in jest, this concept is so important for us to receive bad news with grace and not rip the messenger’s head off.

This week we look at Genghis Khan and his experience with messengers… and how to do better.

Be great today!

Steve

When in charge, our emotions must be like a great wall made of stone or brick,

It’s so easy to react poorly to bad news. But we need leaders like you who can calmly react to crises with rational response.

This week, we look at Civil War General Stonewall Jackson and his inability to keep emotions in check – and how we can do better!

Be great today!

Steve

How often do we carry baggage from one meeting to the next?

It’s hard to leave problems behind, but so important to be resilient in one area of our lives so it doesn’t affect others.

This week we look at NCAA Coach Bobby Knight and his inability to leave it on the court and how we can do better.

Be great today!

Steve

This week we tackle the storms of life — they’re going to come so it’s best to be prepared.

Muhammad Ali knew this well in his fight with George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle. We look at this boxing war and find lessons in the Rope-a-Dope.

Be great today!

Steve

Life is going to attack us. Period.

Do not miss this week as we put on the armor of leadership looking at Admiral James Stockdale and his eight years in a Vietnamize prison camp.

We learn how he survived life’s attacks, and how to use his techniques to weather our challenges.

Short on time – check out the podcast version embedded with some extra commentary.

Be great today!

Steve

Good morning!

Today we start our six-week series on the Armor of Leadership – being resilient to life’s attacks.

We start with my dog who struggles with it and then transition to the best at bouncing back from hardships – General George Washington.

Be resilient today… and be great!

Steve

Good morning! It’s a great day to lead.

This week we dig into leaders ensuring we use our position for the reason it was intended, to complete the mission and improve the organization – not for personal gain.

We’ll look at a traffic stop, a fired commander, and Band of Brothers to understand it better.

Be great today!

Steve

Today we publish Gerald Eady’s second Maximum Standard article. He recently was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, and I asked if I could share his promotion speech.

Promotion speeches are incredibly meaningful, and Gerald’s was so good, we had to get it out there as an example to others.

Enjoy!

Two days from today is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the greatest amphibious assault in military history.

But the decision to invade or not happened 80 years ago, today!

This week we look at D-Day and pull out some lessons for our own life.

Be great today!

Steve

Humility: A quality we all desire to have yet rarely talk about. This week we’re back from Memorial Day in our BRAG+1 Leadership Series talking about the second “Don’t” of placing service over self.

Today, we dive into Maverick from Top Gun and George Patton to learn what not to do.

Be great today – and be humble!

Steve

It’s so easy to make life about us, after all, we’re the only ones with us every second of the day. But the best leaders know that it’s about other people.

This week, Horatio Gates and Stephen Covey help us understand that life is about others.

Be great today!

Steve

We’re all very comfortable in our own leadership style, but is that always the most effective?

This week we look at how the American military had to completely revamp it’s fighting to gain results in 2007 Iraq, and how we may have to shift our leadership style to be most effective at work.

Be great today!

Steve

The best organizations stand on legacy and heritage. Their people know the history and are proud of their tribe.

This week we look at Ford, Google, NASCAR, and the 82d Airborne Division to understand why it’s so important we teach the history and heritage of our units to generate future success.

Be great today!

Steve

Next time you’re at work, listen for this — are people using the word “we” or “I”?

The best leaders us inclusive language (except when things go poorly–then they take the blame) and highlight “our” organization, not “my” organization.

This week we look at Winston Churchill’s Fight on the Beaches Speech and how he used “we” to save a nation.

Be great today!

Steve

In our final deep dive into putting boots on the ground, this week we discuss the art of never walking by our valued people while still using our time effectively.

It’s so important to stop and engage everyone. But it takes deliberate planning to do it right.

Be great today!

Steve

I fall into this trap.

Often, we subconsciously select “trusted advisors” and gravitate towards their counsel and advice. Yet there’s a danger in solely relying on their counsel.

This week we dive into groupthink, the Bay of Pigs, and how to expand our trusted circle a little wider.

Be great today!

Steve

Leaders,

It’s too easy to hang out in the office all day. Yet by spending all our time behind the desk, we lose the pulse on the ground.

This week we look at the importance of boots on the ground through the lens of the Abu Ghraib crisis in Iraq.

Let’s get out there this week!

Be great today!

Steve

In our third installment of putting boots on the ground, this week we explore the importance of acknowledging others.

Everyone wants to be noticed, and it really is as simple as just stopping and talking to others. Join us as we remember President G.W. Bush setting the example on Thanksgiving Day in Iraq, 2003.

Be great today!

Steve

Battles are won and lost in the trenches. On your team, if you don’t know what’s happening in your trench lines, you’re making decisions in the blind.

This week we dive into organizational trenches framed from World War I, Undercover Boss, and a waste water treatment plant.

Leaders are in the trenches!

Be great today!

Steve

Leaders,

Putting boots on the ground is one of the most important things you can do. This week we dive into U.S. Army General Matthew Ridgeway in the Korean War and how he used battlefield circulation to lead effectively. We talk about him and three essential tools from leading experts in order to do this effectively.

Be great today!

Steve

Leaders,

This week we wrap up our series on BRAG+1 and the five essential leadership qualities to don every day.

In doing so and much like a professional athlete in a post-game interview, we have to highlight others’ accomplishments ahead of our own.

Be great today!

Steve

One of the most important things you can do for your team is to be consistent.

This week we explore how consistency in our behaviors increases psychological safety, trust, communication, and stability.

How consistent are you?

Be great today!

Steve

This week we close out our month-long series on the five characteristics of leadership that we should put on before going into our position every day.

In one of my favorite sayings, a leader cannot have a hint, a sniff, or a whiff of impropriety about them. It’s that simple.

Anything less damages your leadership credibility.

Be great today — and lead above reproach!

Steve

This week we continue our five-week BRAG series with the fourth essential quality of leadership – close with and destroy the enemy.

Leaders are designed to solve problems. Much like we’ll discover at Gettysburg, we all must be the leaders who pick up our proverbial rifle and attack those problems head-on!

You’re not going to want to miss this week – and check out the podcast version in the link!

Be great today!

Steve

In our third of this five-week series on how to BRAG about our team, we put on the Armor of Leadership – Be resilient to life’s attacks.

We have to be the tennis ball and not the egg. Not always easy.

Don’t forget the new podcast version embedded in the article for those who want to listen instead of read.

Be great today!

Steve

Welcome to Week Two of our five-week series on the five essential qualities of leadership.

This week we explore the “R” is BRAG+1: Regimentals and the importance of placing service over self.

Also, check out our audio version at the top of the article if you want to listen on the go.

Be great today!

Steve

One of the first things I was ever taught about leadership was to be present.

This week we explore that concept — “Put boots on the ground.” Be where your people are!

And be great today!

Steve

On a special Thursday edition, Tom Console takes us into the pages of an open book. We’ve all heard that our lives are waiting to be written, but do we really believe this?

This is a great message that we all need to hear!

Be great today!

Steve

We are incredibly excited to start a new series entitled BRAG+1 – five essential qualities of leadership.

In this first week, we explain the concept of putting on the armor of leadership each of us need every day, modelled after a soldier’s combat equipment.

So, let’s suit up and be great today!

Steve

At the beginning of the year, it’s easy to ask ourselves where to focus our time — on our people or the mission.

This year, I encourage you to do both. While many schools of thought force you to choose, the correct one is that you don’t have to.

Join us as we dissect the People-Mission Paradox, with again this week the option to listen via podcast.

Be great today!

Steve

Welcome to 2024!

I’m especially excited this year as we added the option to listen to our articles via audio embedded into the website.

The beginning of the year is my favorite time — because it gives me an excuse to challenge myself with Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs) and then go out and hunt them!

As we discuss in the article, this year I hope you set BHAGs for yourself and allow your team the opportunity to establish their own and achieve your Maximum Standard in 2024!

Fulfill your potential, and be great this year!

Steve

Happy holidays!

In our last article before the New Year, we wanted to thank you for making a difference in others’ lives.

I know it may not always feel like it, but your leadership matters!

This week we talk about the importance of recharging our body battery, and in December is no better time to do so.

Be great today and see you next year!

Steve

Last week my daughter came home from college and her dog greeted her with a heartwarming reunion. It was incredibly sweet.

It made me think about the value of greeting another person. This week we explore how daily greetings can add significant value to your leadership.

Be great today – and greet great today!

Steve

A colleague at work recently shared this with me. She saw it at her former place of employment, and I found it too good not to share.

Upon doing some research, it was written by a gentleman Chris Spencer from Bill Gossling Outsourcing. It’s good!

Be great today!

Steve

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

We all know recognition is a positive leadership attribute. There’s no better time to remember this than as we enter Thursday’s holiday dedicated to thanking others.

This week we discuss how one additional sentence changes the game when giving praise.

Be great today and eat lots of turkey this week!

Steve

Leaders,

This week, Eddie Jenkins joins the conversation with an exceptional article on his leadership journey shaped through one man’s quotes.

His story highlights the amazing the impact you have on those around you every day, and you may not even know it.

Be great today!

Steve

Happy Halloween!

I love how creative everyone gets on October 31st. But why doesn’t this creativity extend into the workplace on November 1st?

This week we look at the importance of creative leadership and how to foster it in your life and those you work with.

Be great today!

Steve

Don’t worry, this article is not about the NFL. But watching Taylor Swift crash onto the Sunday football scene highlights her ability to strategically influence countless followers while simultaneously connecting with individual fans.

Leadership is all about influence, and she’s got it.

This week we look at what it’s like to lead like a Swiftie.

Be great today!

Steve

You are the biggest advocate for your people. Period.

Often, we get wrapped up in our work being all about us. Our careers. Our successes. Our promotions.

Leading truly has nothing to do with that. It has everything to do with celebrating organizational success and lifting others up.

This week we look at two baseball all-stars, the shirts they wore to press conferences, and why it matters.

Be great today!

Steve

Last week in baseball playoffs, Philadelphia Phillies MVP Bryce Harper blew the stop sign.

Lots of well-meaning people in life are going to recommend to you to stop striving for greatness. This week we explore when it’s a good idea to go with your gut and blow the stop sign.

Be great today!

Steve

Have you ever had to make a decision where it feels like there’s just no right answer? We all have.

This week we dive into Dr. Jack Kem’s Ethical Triangle as a framework to make decisions when it seems we have to choose between two right answers.

Be great today!

Steve

Leaders,

You know those people who act one way to their bosses and completely different with peers or employees? Me too.

This week we look at why it’s the inside of a leader that truly matters – how they treat everyone, not just the people in charge.

Be great today!

Steve

For many of us, our identity and our success are closely intertwined. When things are great at work, they’re great everywhere else. When things go bad at work, our professional, home, and social lives can suffer.

While this mindset shows you care, it can also be very dangerous if your highs and lows at work determine your highs and lows of life.

This week we dive into a broken arm, professional football, and mood swings as we examine leadership identity.

Be great today!

Steve

One of my favorite parts of this current assignment can be summed up in four words: Mike Rowe’s Dirty Jobs.

I get to go do what people do and am so amazed at their professionalism every time. Just as important, it helps me make better decisions later on and value them at the same time.

When was the last time you walked in their shoes?

Be great today!

Steve

In his book Creativity Inc., Ed Catmull, President of Pixar and Disney Animation, talks about how our mental models often box us into a singular way of thinking and doing.

When we’ve worked or lived with the same people for a while, our mental models often merge, and we become stuck in performing our tasks the same way over and over.

He argues we should look at how we’re performing tasks and see if there may be a better way.

Last week, a dog attack while running helped me see this.

Be great today!

Steve

It’s official. We dropped our second child at college this week, and she’s off on her own adventure 1,000 miles away from home.

Right before we drove away, we imparted our last shot of wisdom upon her. In the end, my wife and I each gave her one, and she surprised us by giving herself one too.

Read about those three pieces of advice here that applies to us all.

Be great today!

Steve

It’s the busy season for visitors at my work, and we’ve had a lot. After giving my eighth tour of the installation, I got back to the office and sarcastically said, “No more VIPs.”

“Actually,” one of my co-workers chided me, “I feel like you would say everyone you talk to is an important person, whether they’re here for the day or work here all the time.”

He got me! This week we talk about how VIPs and our own people should be treated more the same than different.

Be great today!

Steve

This week, I celebrated my birthday. Now, I’m not a big birthday guy at home—in fact, it comes and goes with little fanfare—but I strongly believe birthdays provide leaders a tremendous opportunity in the workplace to recognize their people. Many fail to take advantage of this.

This week’s article is about tangible ways to recognize people through their birthdays at work – and maybe get some extra cake at the same time…

Be great today!

Steve

Leaders,

This week is a message from legendary baseball coach John Scolinos. He preaches that there is a standard in life, and we must all live up to and enforce that standard.

I encourage you to think about how you communicate your standards and coach people to living up to them.

Be great today!

Steve

I asked myself, “How many times in my 23-year career have I not felt psychologically safe?” The answer was uncomfortably high.

And yet, here I am running an organization, which makes me wonder how safe people feel in the culture I’m creating.

This week we explore psychological safety and how it affects the culture of your organization. I encourage you to share this with your team and see where you’re at.

Be great today!

Steve

This week we explore new leaders coming into our organization. That’s always a little scary because of the unknown. Yet, at the same time it’s wonderful because these new leaders bring fresh ideas and initiatives that we haven’t thought of before.

I encourage you to embrace new people in your organization as we’re in the summer transition phase and harness the incredible potential they bring.

Be great today!

Steve

This week our first regular contributor, Tom Console, is back with his thoughts on being a Dragon Warrior.

Combining three philosophers from as many different centuries–Epictetus, James Stockdale, and Po, the animated Kung Fu Panda–Tom takes us through surviving as leaders through the hard times in life.

In both the good times and bad, our people are watching our every move. We have to act like it.

Be great today!

Steve

Happy Independence Day! Today on our Nation’s birthday, we look at some foundational documents of America and relate them into building culture within our workforce.

Much like those who founded this great country, to lead you simply need to care about other people and then do something about it.

Be great today!

Steve

This week we take a deep dive into adversity. We all want our path to be straight and narrow, but invariably, hardships are lurking around each corner.

Join us in exploring a three-step model to keep driving towards your goals. More importantly, use this to teach everyone around you how to deal with problems when they arise.

Lead well!

Steve