Federal Judge Percy Anderson has tossed out a lawsuit against Starbucks. The lawsuit alleged that baristas put too much ice in cold drinks. Judge Anderson wrote: “As young children learn, they can increase the amount of beverage they receive if they order no ice. If children have figured this out, then a reasonable [adult] customer will not be confused that an ice tea contains ice. My recommended remedy: State a preference for no ice when ordering.” Leaders know what a reasonable employee request looks like—and when in doubt, the “young children” standard can be a good one. ─ Ken Chapman ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

Leaders create a good day for those around them with their positive spirit, their sense of purpose and their decisive actions. Leaders don’t leave a good day to chance; they choose to make it happen. Make today a great day for your team. ─ Deb Miller ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

The 2014 edition of The Leader’s Code by Dr. Ken Chapman has been published and is now available. The previous edition, originally published in the late 1990’s, has been completely updated by Dr. Chapman with new content, new case studies, and includes leading-edge neuroscience relevant to high performing individuals and teams in today’s workforce. This edition features a re-designed cover and interior artwork. Anyone interested in the new edition can contact Ken Chapman and Associates, Inc., or may purchase the book through major bookstores and online sellers, such as Amazon.

By Ken Chapman, Ph.D. Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc. Delegating work properly does a lot more than make your life as a leader easier. It builds teamwork, increases efficiency, develops careers, raises morale, and boosts productivity. But it is not always easy to do. Here are some simple strategies to get you started. 1. Delegate responsibility, not work. Too many leaders confuse delegating responsibility with dumping work on someone. Team members know the difference. Do not assign a project and insist a team member do it your way with no room for personal initiative. 2. Allow employees to take turns running staff meetings. This does three things. First, it shows that you respect and trust their abilities. Second, it builds their confidence and leadership skills. Finally, it gives you a chance to see how someone handles a group in case you ever consider promoting that person to a managerial position.…

Leaders master the art of patience. Impatience breeds fear, discouragement, and failure. Leaders know patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which given time, leads to success. ─ Ken Chapman ─ 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.

Leaders know you have to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction. Tradition is not a god to be worshipped—but a useful record of experiences. Time should bring improvement while recognizing not all old things are worthless. We are well served by the old and the new. Leaders cling to the best in the old and welcome all that is helpful in the new. ─ Ken Chapman, Ph.D.

By Ken Chapman, Ph.D Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc. Two men were traveling together through a forest when, without warning, a huge bear came crashing out of the brush near them. One of the men, thinking only of his own safety, shoved the other aside and scrambled up a tree. The other, unable to fight the bear alone, threw himself on the ground and lay very still. He remembered reading somewhere that a bear would not touch a dead body. It must have been true. The bear sniffed at the man’s head for awhile and seeming to be satisfied that he was dead, walked away. The man in the tree climbed down. “It looked just as if that bear whispered something in your ear,” he said. “What did he say?” “He said,” answered the other, “that ‘playing possum’ was clearly a better strategy than counting on you.” Well-founded confidence in…

Rumors spread around the workplace are often sensational. Despite the adage, smoke is not always accompanied by fire when it comes to rumors. Sometimes there is just a smoke screen of jealousy, insecurity, misinformation, or confusion. A leader separates rumor from truth, does not spread rumors, and holds accountable those who do. ─ Derek Conrad Brown ─ Ken Chapman & Associates

W.C. Fields said, “The best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep.” Leaders know Fields was stating more than the obvious. Fields was affirming a great truth: The most responsible thing a tired person can do is rest. ─ Ken Chapman ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.