Making better decisions is both an art and a science. In our fast-paced world, we often rely on gut instincts, but these snap judgments can lead to missed opportunities or unforeseen consequences. Drawing on insights from the book Think Twice by Michael J. Mauboussin, here are seven strategies to help you approach decision-making with greater clarity and confidence.
Category Archives: Leadership
15 Sentences That Will Enhance Your Innovation Skills
Innovation isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s a skill anyone can cultivate with the right mindset and habits. It’s not just about following a process; it’s about how you think, how you approach challenges, and how you see the world around you. By shifting perspectives, asking better questions, and embracing curiosity, you can unlock creative potential in ways you never imagined.
Invert, Always Invert: Unlocking Solutions with Reverse Brainstorming
Invert, always invert. This simple yet powerful phrase, often attributed to the 19th-century mathematician Carl Jacobi, is the key to unlocking a new perspective when tackling complex problems. When we get stuck, sometimes the most productive approach is to flip the problem on its head. Reverse brainstorming is a tool that helps us do exactly that.
The 7 Deadly Sins of Innovation (And How to Avoid Them)
If you’re not sweating, you’re not innovating! Most ideas die in analysis paralysis inside large, established businesses. A few weeks ago, I was talking to the President of a large utility company in Mexico. This company is a former client who I have consulted for in the past.
Injecting New Thinking into Your Business: Why It Matters and How to Do It
In today’s rapidly changing world, staying ahead means continuously adapting and innovating. It’s not enough to simply do what has always worked; businesses need fresh ideas, diverse perspectives, and innovative approaches to thrive.
Why You’re Losing Talent
Some industries have more turnover than others. Manufacturing is one of those high-turnover industries still stuck in the industrial era mindset of command and control, which poses a challenge to the younger generation of talented employees.
When Your Team Fails, Look In The Mirror
“It was Jaime’s fault,” said the supervisor. “No, it was yours,” I replied. Shortly after, I fired him. Not because the mistake happened—mistakes are inevitable—but because he chose to point fingers rather than take ownership. At that moment, I sent a clear message to all my managers and their supervisors about the importance of personal accountability.
I wasn’t joking, and it worked. The next time a big issue arose, a different supervisor stepped forward. He took responsibility for his team’s error and, in front of everyone, offered to work the rest of the week without pay as a way to make amends. I accepted his offer, but more importantly, I thanked him for owning up to the mistake. His willingness to be accountable set the tone for the entire team.
Leadership is hard because it starts with you. The kind of leadership I expect from myself and my team is about taking extreme ownership—being responsible for everything that happens, good or bad. It’s not normal, and it’s not always easy, but it’s essential.
When something goes wrong, the natural instinct might be to shift the blame, to find fault somewhere else. But true leadership starts with a simple act: looking in the mirror. Instead of pointing fingers at others, you ask yourself, What could I have done differently? Where did I fall short in guiding my team?
People who point fingers aren’t leaders—they’re bystanders, passengers in a vehicle they claim no control over. A real leader takes the wheel and accepts that every bump in the road is part of the journey.
Your job as a leader is not to find scapegoats; it’s to eliminate obstacles and clear the path for your team. Sometimes that means making tough calls, and sometimes it means standing up and admitting, “This one’s on me.” It sets a powerful example, one that builds trust, respect, and ultimately, a culture of accountability.
When your team sees you take responsibility, they understand that accountability isn’t about punishment—it’s about learning, growing, and preventing the same mistakes from happening again. They start to adopt that mindset themselves, not out of fear but out of a commitment to excellence.
So the next time your team fails, resist the urge to look outward. Look inward, own the problem, and work to make it right. Leadership is a mirror, and the reflection it shows is up to you.
Bottom line: Remember, there are no bad teams only bad leaders. When something doesn’t go according to plan, point to yourself before pointing to others.