Henry Ford invented the modern charcoal briquette from sawdust and scrap wood generated in his automobile factory. Ford encouraged people to use their cars on picnic outings by offering barbecue grills and Ford Charcoal at his dealerships. Leaders are open to the possibility that what others call “scrap” may carry the seed of an innovative idea. ─ Ken Chapman, Ph.D

Excellence Versus Perfection by Ken Chapman, Ph.D. Listen to an audio version of this article by clicking here: Ken Chapman and Associates, Inc. · Excellence Versus Perfection The discussion usually begins with this statement: “I’m not perfect, but I’m doing my best.” The statement implies human imperfection is a barrier to excellent performance. Most people are surprised to learn the acceptance of their inability to provide flawless performance is where excellence begins! Once I let go of the idea excellence means flawless performance, I am free to focus on achieving excellence. You see, perfectionist tendencies lead me down a rabbit hole. No amount of planning, practice, or commitment will (can) produce flawless performance. Imperfect creatures do not produce perfection. However, they can achieve excellence. A helpful way to think about excellence is to view human performance as a “saw-tooth.” Note in the illustration below the trend is generally upward, but…

Whitney Tate tackles the perplexing myth that leaders are born, and not developed. She takes a look at all the negative and damaging implications for individuals and for organizations who operate under the assumption that people are either 'naturally born leaders' or 'not.' Where does this come from? When people are asked to identify a leader they admire, why is a distant celebrity so often a response, instead of a leader they know personally who lives next door? Is the myth perpetuated by mo...

The nature of change is that it produces fear──fear of losing the familiar and fear of the new and unknown. So change requires courage. Leaders know that courage is not the absence of fear. It is the judgment that something is more important than fear. ─ Ken Chapman ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

Ken Chapman and Associates, Inc. · The Role Of Trust In A Safety Ownership Culture The Role of Trust in a Safety Ownership Culture By  Ken Chapman, Co-Author of Safety Beyond The Numbers When asked, most people list trust as the “must have” of personal and professional relationships. For most people, it is hard to overstate the value of trust. And in a safety ownership culture, trust is indispensable. In fact, nothing matters more! In a safety ownership culture, trust has all the characteristics we usually associate with it — and much more. Telling the truth, accepting full responsibility for one’s self, keeping ones promises and talking to others not about them are obvious ways of earning trust. But in a safety ownership culture the less obvious ways of earning trust are just as essential. The less obvious ways of earning trust begin with a particular way of thinking about…

Leaders embrace change because they know opportunity resides within every change. Without change, there would be no prospect for growth, development or advancement. Leaders help others accept change and grow through it. ─Deb Miller─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

Charlie Chaplin once lost a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest. He failed to make even the top three. Leaders know the obvious is not always obvious. Leaders compensate by asking at least a question or two about their own assumptions. ─ Ken Chapman

Leaders understand that people matter. Even when a team member requires guidance or a reprimand, a leader remembers the team member’s value and treats him/her in a way that affirms that value. ─ Christy Beem ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

A friend recently shared a simple reminder with me. It was “The first place we lose the battle is in our own thinking. If you think it’s permanent, then it’s permanent. If you think you’ve reached your limits, then you have. If you think you’ll never get well, then you won’t. You have to change your thinking. You need to see everything that’s holding you back, every obstacle, every limitation as only temporary.” Leader’s know that our thinking impacts the outcome—for good or bad. Thinking positively means we accept accountability for the outcome. ─ Christy Beem ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

When faced with life’s disappointments, you have two choices. You can be bitter or you can get better. Leaders know time wasted thinking about what might have been is a losing game. Instead, they invest their energy in a better tomorrow. – Deb Miller