Right Attitudes

Ideas for Impact

Getting Ahead

The Best Investment of 2025

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Invest in Yourself, It Pays the Best Not Nvidia. Not Berkshire Hathaway. Nor cryptocurrency.

Not your house. Nor a rental property near the beach.

It’s you.

Your best investment? You.

The future you.

It always was. It always will be.

The future you should outshine the current you.

Keep learning. Keep leveling up.

Become edified. Gain wisdom.

Believe in yourself.

Strengthen your self-awareness and the energy around you.

Broaden your perspective. Hold onto your beliefs, but don’t hesitate to explore other viewpoints.

Fortify your cognitive foundation.

Strive to be a better citizen.

Make wiser choices in your personal life.

Have the courage to stand by your convictions and challenge them too.

Expand your intellectual wellness.

Find peace. Be kind to yourself. Set healthy boundaries.

Open your mind. Refine it. Empower it to know, digest, restrain, govern, and use its wisdom effectively.

This journey is as noble as cultivating virtue.

So, make the smartest bet of all.

Bet on you.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Plan Every Detail or Ride the Wave of Serendipity
  2. Some Lessons Can Only Be Learned in the School of Life
  3. Great Jobs are Overwhelming, and Not Everybody Wants Them
  4. Looking for Important Skills to Develop?
  5. Beyond Money’s Grasp: A Deeper Drive to Success

The Jerk Dilemma: The Double-Edged Sword of a ‘No Jerks Here’ Policy

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The Jerk Dilemma: The Double-Edged Sword of a 'No Jerks Here' Policy Many organizations swear by a no-jerk rule to project an image of a respectful and collaborative workplace. However, implementing this rule isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

First, defining “jerk” behavior is as subjective as choosing your favorite ice-cream. This leads to misunderstandings and people getting unfairly labeled as jerks due to personal conflicts or misinterpretations—even genuine disagreements. Some might even use the rule as a shield to deflect well-deserved criticism.

Then there’s the spectrum of jerkiness. While outright jerks should be shown the door, they’re quite rare. The real challenge lies with the “bit-of-a-jerk” types and situational jerks who often have no clue that their behavior is disruptive. With a little feedback and clear boundaries, these individuals can usually improve.

Consistency is another obstacle. Perceptions of jerk behavior can vary wildly based on personality and workplace dynamics. What one person finds acceptable, another might view as offensive, creating an environment where employees feel constantly scrutinized, leading to defensiveness or resentment.

Idea for Impact: While the no-jerk rule seems favorable in concept, implementing it requires a bit more finesse than simply slapping a sign on the door!

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  1. Why Your Employees Don’t Trust You—and What to Do About it
  2. Bringing out the Best in People through Positive Reinforcement
  3. How to Conquer Cynicism at Your Workplace
  4. Fire Fast—It’s Heartless to Hang on to Bad Employees
  5. How to Hire People Who Are Smarter Than You Are

How to … Identify your Strengths

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How to ... Identify your Strengths Identifying your strengths involves some self-reflection, feedback, and a bit of exploration:

  • Tune into the buzz. Ask colleagues, friends, and family when they’ve seen you at your best. Don’t shy away from your toughest critics; their feedback often highlights how your skills truly shine.
  • Spot what feels effortless. What tasks come naturally to you while others struggle? Reflect on the skills you use to tackle challenges with ease.
  • Track what makes time fly and energizes you. What activities have you so engrossed that you lose track of time? Which roles or tasks make you feel alive and engaged? If you’re in school, think about the subjects you ace.

By piecing together these clues, you’ll uncover your core strengths and turn them into your secret weapons for success.

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  1. Some Lessons Can Only Be Learned in the School of Life
  2. Five Ways … You Could Elevate Good to Great
  3. Even the Best Need a Coach
  4. Looking for Important Skills to Develop?
  5. How to … Be More Confident at Work

How to … Deal with Stinging Criticism

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Handle Criticism with Grace: A Guide to Growth Through Honest Feedback It’s tough to extract valuable insights when you feel attacked. Here’s how to sift through the sting and find something useful:

  1. Acknowledge your feelings. Let the emotions settle before analyzing the criticism. Even if delivered poorly, there may be something to learn.
  2. Consider the source. Is it from someone you respect and who wants the best for you? Or is it from a habitual complainer, revealing more about them than about you?
  3. Listen openly. Criticism is just another opinion. Ask, “What’s valid here? What do I agree with, and what should I dismiss?”
  4. Pinpoint the objection. Was it constructive, meant to help? Or was it unjustified and meant to hurt?
  5. Remember your value. Criticism doesn’t define your worth. Ask, “What can I learn from this?” If it reveals a blind spot, use it to grow.

You have the power to reject unkind words. Protect your well-being by setting clear boundaries. When someone speaks disrespectfully, let them know their words are hurtful and unwelcome. Communicate your limits confidently, and reinforce them when necessary. Assert your right to be treated with respect and maintain your emotional safety.

Idea for Impact: Criticism, though painful, can teach you something valuable—even if it’s to disregard the source. Let it shape, not shatter, your resilience.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. How to … Care Less About What Other People Think
  2. How Smart People Undermine Their Success
  3. Be Comfortable with Who You Are
  4. Let Others Think What They May
  5. Could Limiting Social Media Reduce Your Anxiety About Work?

Let Others Shine

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Let Others Shine Got a brilliant idea? Share it freely and let others get in on the action.

Let them win. Let them look good.

Let them steal the spotlight and snag some of the credit.

Let everyone get a piece of the glory and bask in the collective success.

You’ll be amazed at how quickly things get done.

You’ll create a culture of collaboration that drives even greater achievements.

Idea for Impact: Help others win—when they shine, your own star rises faster.

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  1. The Double-Edged Sword of a Strong Organizational Culture
  2. Buy Yourself Time
  3. The Curse of Teamwork: Groupthink
  4. Why You May Be Overlooking Your Best Talent
  5. The Never-Ending Office vs. Remote Work Debate

The World’s Shortest Course in … Delegating

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The World's Shortest Course in Delegating Delegation is crucial but tough for new managers. Here’s how to nail it:

  • Pass off tasks that aren’t your core job. Focus on what matters most. Delegating stuff you enjoy is the real challenge.
  • Trust your team. Let them handle tasks without micromanaging. Set clear goals and back off.
  • Match tasks with the right people. Hire experts, but also give team members chances to learn new skills. Build a strong team.

Always stay accountable for the final result, even if someone else does the work.

In short: Pick the right person. Define the task. Set clear standards. Stay responsible. Be patient and learn from mistakes. That’s how you delegate like a pro.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. A Guide to Your First Management Role // Book Summary of Julie Zhuo’s ‘The Making of a Manager’
  2. What Knowledge Workers Want Most: Management-by-Exception
  3. Ideas to Use When Delegating
  4. Leaders Need to Be Strong and Avoid Instilling Fear
  5. How Can You Contribute?

How Smart People Undermine Their Success

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How Smart People Undermine Their Success Intelligence is a double-edged sword: sure, it’s got its perks, but sometimes it trips up even the brainiest of folks. Brainiacs may find themselves falling short of their goals due to inadvertently undermining their own efforts. Making it big in most jobs needs more than just smarts.

Bright minds often view their success as inevitable, sometimes overlooking the importance of other skills. For example, they may dismiss workplace diplomacy as an annoyance rather than recognizing its importance. No matter how tactful they are, their braininess can still put a damper on slower teammates. They get antsy dealing with processes and people who are not on their level. They might choose to work solo, thinking they can get things done faster that way. Additionally, they may be less receptive to feedback, especially when they feel confident in their approach.

Focusing solely on what you’re good at, especially if it’s brains, can backfire big time if you ignore your weak spots. Seek a caring mentor who can clue you in on how people see you, dial down that ego, and adjust your expectations—try to become the respected star of the team, not the reviled know-it-all.

If you find yourself always toning down your smarts to fit in, maybe it’s time to find a workplace where they actually dig your brainpower. Look for employers who value intellect, such as think tanks, universities, investment banking firms, law and consulting companies, and professions where they’re all about flexing those mental muscles.

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  2. “But, Excuse Me, I’m Type A”: The Ultimate Humblebrag?
  3. Avoid Trigger Words: Own Your Words with Grace and Care
  4. The Trouble with Accusing Someone of Virtue Signaling
  5. ‘I Told You So’

Champion Positives, Sideline Negatives

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Warren Buffett's Advice: Champion Positives, Sideline Negatives Investor Warren Buffett’s wisdom isn’t just about making money. He’s known for his simple yet powerful life advice, often told through folksy metaphors. One of his biggest teachings is about investing in yourself and striving to be the best you can be. Buffett advocates surrounding yourself with top-notch people and learning from them: he famously remarked, “It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.”

It’s all about picking up their good habits and making them your own. Buffett has offered a practical approach: create two lists of qualities. First, write down what you love about your role models. Then, jot down the stuff you can’t stand about those you don’t vibe with. Then, aim to adopt the good and steer clear of the bad.

Idea for Impact: Be more like the people you admire the most. This exercise can help you level up and become the best version of yourself.

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  2. Some Lessons Can Only Be Learned in the School of Life
  3. Five Ways … You Could Elevate Good to Great
  4. Don’t Be Deceived by Others’ Success
  5. Book Summary: Jack Welch, ‘The’ Man Who Broke Capitalism?

Beware of the Leadership Trap: Losing Moral Bearings

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Some leaders fall into a dangerous trap, succumbing to temptations along their paths. These leaders deviate from their ethical responsibilities and shield themselves from fair criticism, considering themselves exempt from the rules. Such behavior can stem from an inflated ego or narcissism, a lack of self-awareness, a fear of vulnerability, or an intense emotional attachment to their ideas or beliefs.

These leaders often operate within a culture of flattery, where disagreement is seen as disloyalty, and no one dares to challenge or bring attention to issues within the organization. The leader’s circle of enablers grows as time passes, making honest dialogue impossible.

Idea for Impact: Steer clear of these pitfalls by establishing a clear “inner compass”—your values and priorities that revolve around serving a purpose. Live by these values, advocate for them, and ensure they are deeply ingrained in the fabric of your team.

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  2. Power Corrupts, and Power Attracts the Corruptible
  3. Power Inspires Hypocrisy
  4. Why Groups Cheat: Complicity and Collusion
  5. Ethics Lessons From Akira Kurosawa’s ‘High and Low’

The #1 Tip for New Managers to Succeed

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New managers are under pressure. Most managers are underprepared for the transition into new roles—and undersupported during them. In fact, the revolving door is turning more swiftly as companies are seeking quick results. New managers must immediately tackle challenges and demonstrate their competencies instead of having a grace period to find their footing and mull changes.

When taking on a new management position, adaptability to the unique culture and ways of doing things is the key to success. You must quickly throw yourself into the work and learn who’s who, who does what, and how your company operates.

Idea for Impact: Balance the pressure to show results quickly, understanding what significant changes are needed. First, talk to your constituencies (internal and external customers, competitors, leaders, employees) and lay out a road plan for the next three months, one year, and three years. Manage expectations and don’t overcommit.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Five Rules for Leadership Success // Summary of Dave Ulrich’s ‘The Leadership Code’
  2. A Guide to Your First Management Role // Book Summary of Julie Zhuo’s ‘The Making of a Manager’
  3. Some Lessons Can Only Be Learned in the School of Life
  4. To Inspire, Pay Attention to People: The Hawthorne Effect
  5. How to Manage Smart, Powerful Leaders // Book Summary of Jeswald Salacuse’s ‘Leading Leaders’