The best leaders aren’t peacemakers. They’re truth-seekers. Most people say they value honesty, but when the moment for honesty comes, they dodge. They sugarcoat, they soften, they hide. Why? Because truth-telling feels awkward, risky, even dangerous. Our survival wiring favors

If you want breakthrough innovation, comfort isn’t your friend. In fact, it’s your enemy. If you want to build something truly extraordinary, you need to embrace what I call truth-driven leadership: a culture where debate, disagreement, and honest feedback aren’t just tolerated,

My new film "The Dragon's Prophecy" opens in select theaters Monday Oct. 6 and Wednesday Oct. 8. Streaming and DVD starts Thursday Oct. 9.

One of the most powerful acts of leadership is naming what you see. Too often, I see leaders keeping their judgments to themselves, even when those insights could unlock growth and alignment. But silence breeds misunderstanding and missed opportunities. When you give voice to

Who’s in your circle, and are they lifting you up or holding you back? Your life is the sum of the people you let in. Friends, partners, collaborators, mentors… and each one shapes your happiness, success, and growth. That’s why developing a good “Picker” is critical. Your

Want respect from your team? Stop delegating the hard conversations. Swing your own sword. Leadership is hard. Really hard. And one of the most overlooked tests of leadership isn’t strategy or vision, it’s willingness to have the hard conversations. Layoffs. Tough feedback.

Most of us avoid anger. But repressing anger comes at a cost: blocked boundaries, chronic stress, and even physical illness. I learned the hard way. For years, I ignored anger, and it leaked out in migraines, autoimmune issues, and frustration in relationships. Only when I

Triggered by a text, email, or Slack? Escalate the conversation, don’t escalate the conflict. Stop writing that reactive email, text, or Slack message. Here’s the rule for high-drama situations: no important or emotional conversations via digital messages. Ever. When you’re

The #1 problem I see in startups? Leaders who can’t have hard conversations. Avoiding conflict feels easier in the moment, but leaving issues unaddressed creates dysfunction that snowballs across teams and organizations. When feedback is avoided, chaos fills the vacuum. Junior

The difference between good leaders and great ones is daily discomfort. Boldness is one of the most underutilized leadership skills. Ask yourself: how many uncomfortable, bold moves did you make today? Bold moves aren’t reckless. They’re actions that stretch you past discomfort

Need to have a tough conversation? Here’s what works:. Digital communication makes life fast and can increase efficiency. But it’s terrible for hard conversations. Email, Slack, or text might be convenient, but they lack nuance, empathy, and real-time feedback. This results in

Leaders often struggle with high standards. How do you get results without being a total jerk? The answer is in both ownership and accountability. Start with clear communication. Communicate with your team, and get on the same page with each other regarding what success looks

Top performers are separated from the rest by a superpower: compartmentalization. Life is messy. Work deadlines, personal drama, global news, and your own emotions all compete for attention. Elite leaders navigate this chaos by mastering compartmentalization: acknowledging

The mirage of compassion is real. In the workplace, comfort and perks replaced accountability… but the world is calling leaders back to performance. The last decade brought a wave of perks, trauma-aware policies, and social accountability. Leaders chased their employees’

Your blind spots are holding you back. Here’s the fastest way to see them: Instead of going it alone, invite a small group of credible, trusted people to give you honest feedback. They help you see blind spots, patterns, and behaviors you can’t spot on your own. By bringing

Chasing the next big thing won’t make you happy. Here’s how I know. For years, I chased the “next big thing.” • A better career • A better partner • A better house I believed that attainment would finally bring happiness. I was a maximizer, constantly striving to achieve

Want to get your point across without burning bridges? This 3-step formula will change how people listen to you. Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a game-changer for starting a difficult conversation. Developed by Marshall Rosenberg, it helps you express yourself honestly,

Business advice works in business. Don’t try it in your personal life. Business advice is often treated like life advice, but the two are not the same. Business frameworks reward assertiveness, risk-taking, and measurable outcomes. Life, relationships, and personal fulfillment

Leadership isn’t supposed to feel good. Not for you. Not for your team. If you’re doing it right, there will be pain. There will be discomfort, and you’ll piss people off. But that’s what leadership is. It’s telling the truth, even when it hurts. It’s putting the mission

Struggling to get your team to deliver high-quality work without being a jerk? The secret isn’t micromanagement, it’s ownership, accountability, and trust. Start by having open conversations about what success looks like in each person’s domain. Let them own the goals, and

Stop pretending emotions don’t exist at work. It’s much better to control them and use them than to ignore them. Business and emotions don’t mix. That’s the conventional wisdom. Stoic leaders, straight faces, “keep your feelings out of it.” Here’s the truth: the