Every year during award season, we watch person after person excitedly rush on stage, clutch the trophy, catch their breath—and recite from a long list of people to thank. (Cue the wrap-it-up track.) Whether those acknowledgements are delivered out of obligation or genuine gratitude, it can be a real snooze fest for the audience. More than that, it’s a lost opportunity. Imagine you have the undivided attention of millions of people around the globe for…
There’s a war going on for our attention. Each day we get hundreds of ads and asks. We get sponsored social posts and e-newsletters. We watch TV commercials. We see product packaging and pop-up ads. Companies compete hard to make you look. The desire to win awareness extends to our co-workers, business partners and clients. There’s a lot of people craving a piece of that pie. People are constantly tapping us to tackle problems, develop…
It’s perfectly normal to obsessively check the rearview mirror when we’re sharing the road in bumper-to-bumper traffic. But when we keep checking the rearview mirror on the path of life—it can seriously slow us down. Or even bring us to a grinding halt. In the fast-moving, fast-changing world we live in today, it’s easy for leaders and teams to get stuck peering into that rearview mirror. As human beings, it’s in our nature to contemplate…
Every year my family loves the act of giving and receiving holiday cards. But this season, several folks told me how they hate getting cards because they think the people sending them are trying to portray some kind of perfect life. See, they know that some of the people sending those cards are actually really struggling in their lives, so their cheerful messages can feel fake. But I believe there’s an opportunity to think about…
I recently realized I’d rather think more like an infomercial than a political ad. Nearly one billion dollars is spent during every major election cycle—much of it on negative ads. You know those sinister spots, blaming and shaming the opposing candidate. But infomercials are all about solutions. Sure, infomercials can be over-the-top tacky. But we’re still drawn to them. Why? Because they’re selling a solution—to clean our floors better, make our food healthier or help…
Jason Barger reflects on a dynamic Season 1 of The Thermostat podcast and reminds us about how the messages from each episode connect, build upon one another and nudge us forward in our own leadership development and journey to build compelling cultures. He also answers a few questions sent in from listeners throughout the season and looks ahead to Season 2. Thank you to all listeners who continue to help amplify these messages in the…
The mind and heart need brief moments of hibernation. They help us recover, restore, heal and prepare for what’s next in the pursuit of our vision. How can leaders and teams “slow down to power up?” — ABOUT THE THERMOSTAT Conversations and micro-thoughts to engage your mind and heart. A thermostat is proactive. It sets the temperature in a room. Controls the temperature. Regulates the temperature. But in today’s distracted, fast-paced and digital world,…
What does it look like when our most coveted beliefs and values are witnessed in person? What ripples do our actions create along our path? In the incessant rush of the holidays and hectic times in life and business, how do we want to move with those around us? — ABOUT THE THERMOSTAT Conversations and micro-thoughts to engage your mind and heart. A thermostat is proactive. It sets the temperature in a room. Controls…
There is a war for our attention every single day. We’ve never lived in more distracting times, where the messages are coming from every direction, trying to persuade us to think, look and act a certain way. How do you choose what to give your attention to—and how do you weed out the rest? — ABOUT THE THERMOSTAT Conversations and micro-thoughts to engage your mind and heart. A thermostat is proactive. It sets the temperature…
Cameron Mitchell evolved from a dishwasher to a restaurant founder who now runs more than 60 restaurants. His new book, “Yes is the Answer! What is the Question?” explores his winning culture. And the excerpt below is a powerful insight on putting associates first. I’m thrilled to welcome Cameron, founder of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, to Thermostat Cultures Live in Columbus on Nov. 5. We’ve sold out the past two years and expect to sell out…
