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Communication Leadership Learning Qualities Self awareness

Simplifier or Complexifier?

I’m not a finance guy.

But I’ve done enough finance in my life to understand the principles when I put my mind to it. My brain can build many connections fast, but when it comes to finance, I need to think.

That’s why I’ve always admired people who can make complex stuff easy to understand. … Read the rest

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Communication Feedback Life Reflection Self awareness

The brutal truth about Intention and Impact

Nearly twenty years ago, I had my first conversation with a mentor who helped me shape who I am today.

I was running supermarket operations at that time, working for a CEO who, in my eyes, was not meant to be CEO. 

He was a former CFO who never transitioned from being a CFO to become a CEO.… Read the rest

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Growth Habits Learning Mindset Purpose

Five Years! Really?

A friend of mine asked me recently whether I was happy with my progress over the past five years. 

For some weird reason, my mind went to Lenin and his New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921.

I don’t remember many things from my primary education, but I remember the NEP from Lenin.… Read the rest

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Discipline Habits Mindset Purpose Reflection

The power of every day

You want to make the best of your life, right?

Right!

Does that also mean you want to make the best of every day?

Or do you occasionally skip a day because, in the grand scheme of things, what difference can one day make?

I understand that skipping a good day is not your intention in the morning.… Read the rest

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Impact Leading Self Learning Self awareness

The merciless difference between intention and impact? Your social context.

Last week, the Netherlands’ royal family decided to spend the autumn vacation in their summer house in Greece. They departed on Friday with the governmental plane.

Only the prime minister was aware of their plans as he bears the governmental responsibility for the royal family.

While they were in the air on their way to Greece, hell broke loose at home.… Read the rest

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Leadership Team effectiveness Trust

The indisputable power of Trust

The past blogs I wrote primarily about self-development and awareness. Understanding self is the critical foundation for building better relationships at work and in our personal lives.

Those relationships only thrive when there’s trust between people. Without trust, no relationship, team, or business performs according to its potential. Billions (pick your currency) are wasted every year because there’s no trust between people.… Read the rest