I asked this skilled leader (who I would describe as an out-of-the-box person) to share with me any problem she is currently facing. What she shared was a very common problems in her industry. She then described the problem in a way that would be an in-the-box-way of framing it. Meaning that she located the problem outside of herself. Outside of the leadership team. The problem, she said, was with the frontline workers. If only they could be doing things differently, then this problem would go away!

Many leaders often indicate that people are their greatest asset. I want to take it one step further and say, "No, it's not necessarily the people in their companies, but the relationship/responsiveness between these people that makes the difference." You may technically employ the best people, but if the relationships between them are poor, you are more likely to have mediocre teams and produce mediocre results.

"We can't control our destiny, but we can control who we become." (Anne Frank)

"Those who are at war with others are seldom at peace with themselves." (Unknown)

"I learned that it is better, a thousand-fold, for a proud person to fall and be humbled, than to hold up their head in pride and fancied innocence." (adapted, George MacDonald)

"Maybe it isn't about others' mistakes, but only my need for someone to blame." (adapted, Toba Beta)

"I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice." (Abraham Lincoln)

"The souls of emperors and cobblers are cast in the same mold ... The same reason that makes us bicker with a neighbor creates a war between princes." (Montaigne)

"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." (Mahatma Gandhi)

"Above all, avoid falsehood, every kind of falsehood, especially falseness to yourself. Watch over your own deceitfulness and look into it every hour, every minute. Avoid being scornful, both to others and to yourself. What seems to you bad within you will grow purer from the very fact of your observing it in yourself." (Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov)

Who wouldn't say this is true?

"Others feel genuine respect and concern from me. They sense that my concern is to help them, not to prove something about myself."

In order to help things go right, what is my right next step?

"Beware of people who are anxious to tell you how you ought to live. Instead, test everything - against your own thoughtfully considered experience. If you are honest about that experience, what is true will ring true - you will not have to rely on my say-so or anybody else's." (Bonds That Make Us Free)

Who wouldn't say this is true: "Because I am energetically engaged in helping others meet their objectives, we enjoy working together."

In light of that answer, and in order to help things go right - What is your right next step?

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it - always." (Mahatma Gandhi)

Who wouldn't say this is true of you - "Others are confident that they receive all information and assistance at my disposal to help them succeed"?

In order to help things go right - what is the right next step?

Using ruthless self-honesty ask yourself this question today - "Do others feel free to talk to me about their challenges, realities, and ideas, including how I am a problem for them, knowing that I will eagerly learn from them and change to help?"

Then ask yourself these questions -
1. Who wouldn't say this is true?
2. In order to help things go right, what is my right next step?

"When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self." (Confucius)

"Hypocrisy cannot be rooted out by attacking the hypocrisy of others; it can only be rooted out by attacking the hypocrisy of oneself ... What alone opposes hypocrisy is a compassion for others." (The Arbinger Institute)

"If you feel you can judge the arrogant, it's a sign you are far from humbleness." (Toba Beta)

"You can spend your whole life building a wall of facts between you and anything real." (C. Palahniuk)