Leaders do not fear change, nor do they like it merely for its own sake. ─ Ken Chapman, Ph.D.

Leaders know every minute of every day counts. A moment of inattention or less than their best effort can be the difference between success and a close second place. Outcomes count, but so does knowing you put forth your best effort. ─ Deb Miller ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

During her time hiking the Pacific Crest Trail alone, Cheryl Strayed experienced moments of doubt and fear. She states, “Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me.” Be bold. Evaluate whether the story you are telling yourself is working for you or against you. ─ Whitney Tate ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

Sometimes the most courageous thing a leader does is tell herself the truth. Humans have an uncanny ability to color the truth to avoid pain or discomfort. Continuing to say “I am my best self!” does not make it true. Looking at our behavior critically and soliciting feedback from those we trust takes courage. No matter how painful the truth, it is never as painful as a lie. ─ Christy Beem ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

Leaders know that what is best can also be sad. Even good employees can be overwhelmed by the tragedy of their life away from work. Few decisions are more heart-breaking than severing the otherwise good employee, whose personal circumstances have destroyed his/her professional performance. Leaders who feel awful at such times hold on to their humanity, even as they make a necessary decision. ─ Ken Chapman ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

It takes ten times longer to put yourself back together than it does to fall apart. Leaders know the wiser, more efficient, course is to keep one’s head to start with. ─ Ken Chapman ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

By Ken Chapman, Ph.D. Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc. The great American humorist, Will Rogers, once said, “Life is hard under the best of conditions, but it is harder if you are stupid.” I do not think that Will Rogers was talking about people who are terminally dumb. I think, instead, that he had in mind those moments when we make decisions that make our lives more difficult, even complicated. It is probably fair to say that we all go through periods of time when it seems like our lives resemble a soap opera, either through endless crises or confrontations. While crisis and confrontation may be entertaining on television, they make for a frustrating and fairly unsatisfying personal and professional life. Most of us would rather have some peace of mind rather than daily drama. And if we would have more peace of mind and less drama in our lives,…

Once upon a time I heard a good and decent man offer this advice: Make your life your argument. Among leaders it is a shared wisdom. Because leaders know that what I say and how I say it; and, what I do and how I do it will always be my most convincing argument. ─Ken Chapman ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

Leaders know there is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. ─ Ken Chapman ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

Listening is one of the least used strategies for building trust and motivating team members. Listening is caring and team members appreciate an empathetic hearing even when the circumstances can’t be changed. Leaders know the value of listening. ─ Deb Miller ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc