To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to find the best in others and build on the best in ourselves; this is to have succeeded (Ralph Waldo Emerson paraphrased). Leaders seek to do all of the above and more. ─ Ken Chapman, Ph.D.

It’s nice to be important. It’s more important to be nice. Leaders know civility is a sign of character, not a sign of weakness. ─ Ken Chapman ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

By Ken Chapman Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc. A man took his young daughter to a carnival and she immediately ran over to a booth and asked for some cotton candy. As the attendant handed her a huge ball of it, the father asked, “Sweetheart, are you sure you can eat all of that?” “Don’t worry Dad,” she answered, “I’m a lot bigger on the inside than on the outside.” The little girl didn’t necessarily mean to, but she gave us a memorable image of the importance of leaders being adults — being “bigger on the inside” regardless of their external size. One of the indicators that leaders may not be as “big on the inside” as they need to be is if the leaders, unconsciously and sometimes consciously, sabotage their own teams. Team leaders support and enjoy the teamwork experience for the most part. But for some, giving up…

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

Leaders know you create opportunities by performing, not complaining—though complaining is the easier path and the one complainers applaud. ─ Ken Chapman, Ph.D.

The person most likely to get hurt on the job is experienced and well trained. They know what to do and how to do it. They have had extensive safety training and most of the time they follow safe work practices. The person most likely to get hurt on the job is someone just like your co-worker. Do you have his back? ─ Deb Miller ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

Leaders know courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the judgment that something is more important than fear. ─ Ken Chapman ─ KC&A

When Admiral Mike Mullen became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he recalls receiving this warning from his predecessor: “You’ll eat some very good food, but be prepared never to hear the truth again.” The higher the leader is in the organization, the more reluctant others are to risk the leader’s displeasure by voicing a dissenting opinion or sharing bad news. Leaders know the value of receiving candid and timely input. A leader’s success may well depend on how safe an employee feels speaking truth to power. ─ Deb Miller ─ Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

The sandbox tree grows pumpkin-shaped fruit that explodes when ripe. The explosion launches the seeds as far as three-hundred feet at speeds up to 150 mph. Its nickname is the “dynamite tree.” Leaders know business, just like nature, often confronts us with the strange and unexpected. The best strategy for minimizing the dynamite tree effect is thoughtful planning. ─ Ken Chapman, Ph.D.

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