When I first stepped into a leadership role, I quickly realized that communication was not just about talking or sending emails. It was the lifeblood of every successful project, team, and organization. Without clear, consistent, and purposeful communication, even the best strategies can fall apart. So, what exactly makes communication effective in the workplace? How can we harness it to boost productivity, morale, and overall success? Let’s dive into the world of workplace

A Lesson from History and The Case of Brigadier General William ‘Billy’ Mitchell In today’s fast-paced business and leadership/followership environment, we often laud disruptive thinkers, grand strategists and outside-the-box innovators. But we sometimes forget how uncomfortable, even dangerous, those roles can be for the person performing them. The story of Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell offers a powerful example of this dynamic, and a cautionary tale for organiz

Abstract The mirror neuron system (MNS) provides a neurobiological foundation for understanding human connection, learning, and social behavior. Discovered in the early 1990s, mirror neurons activate both when an individual performs an action and when they observe another performing that same action. This dual activation underlies empathy, imitation, and observational learning. Albert Bandura’s social learning theory (1977) complements this neuroscience by explaining how peop

In today’s fast-paced work environment, effective communication is not just a nice-to-have skill; it’s a must-have. Whether you’re leading a team, collaborating with colleagues, or managing clients, how you convey your ideas can make or break your success. But what does it really mean to communicate professionally? And how can we sharpen these skills in a way that feels natural and impactful? Let’s dive into the world of professional communication tips that will help you con

When I think about what truly sets transformational leaders apart, it’s not just their vision or communication skills. It’s something...

In the private sector businesses or non-profit organizations, leaders are expected to keep organizations functional, efficient, and...

Building a successful team is like nurturing a garden. You start with seeds - individuals with unique skills and personalities. Over...

Collaboration is the heartbeat of any successful team. But how do we truly enhance it? It’s not just about working together; it’s about...

Comparing Human vs Animal Violent Behavior: Not Motivated by Need for Food Introduction People don’t usually eat or kill each other for...

When organizations struggle with leadership challenges, the immediate assumption is often that the leader’s style is at fault. We hear...

Wait…How praise can become demotivating?  We’ve all been taught to “ Praise in public and criticize in private,”  this is a very famous...

Preface: I wrote this in 2012, shortly after starting my cancer treatments at UCSF. This is what happened on the first day of my UCSF...

In a recent interview I was asked by a Financial Advisor who helps train other Financial Advisors how they can prepare for their own...

Ethical behavior is widely promoted as essential for organizational health, personal integrity, and societal trust. However, what is...

Abstract  Law enforcement officers operate in an environment where constant external threats and societal scrutiny create unique...

Introduction: Fear is deeply embedded in nearly every aspect of media, from advertising and news stories to social media posts and...

Introduction Leadership has long been studied through various theoretical lenses, each offering unique insights into how leaders...

Having spent over 40 years working within government systems, I’ve always been amazed at how government finances are “inverse” in nature...

Introduction How do winning sports teams utilize repeating patterns of behavior to achieve success? How do military units leverage...

In November of 2011, after having retired a little over a year from law enforcement, I was watching the evening news and saw the video of...