Leadership Articles

Insights, tips and more from David & the world's top leaders.

The Lesson in Every Leap. Reframing Risk as Its Own Reward

As leaders we like to focus on outcomes: I took a chance—and look how well it paid off. We think of risk as the means to an end. No pain, no gain. No risk, no reward. I think this is a missed opportunity. Sure, we know that growth and innovation can only happen when we’re willing to […]

Five Barriers to Creating a Growth Culture and How to Overcome Them

Have you ever noticed how fast the language of leadership changes? It seems like every day there’s a new word or phrase to add to your vocabulary. One I didn’t like when I first heard it was “culture.” To my ear, it sounds like a germ! Yet, I’ve spent my career cultivating that very thing. […]

Three Ways to Cultivate Creative Thinking in a Data-Driven Workplace

Businesses love to say they’re “data-driven,” and investors love to hear it. Data makes them feel safe, because “numbers don’t lie.” But let’s be honest, numbers don’t speak either. Only a human being can turn information into ideas. And that requires creative thinking. No matter what investors say, it’s creative thinking—not data alone—that drives business breakthroughs. And […]

Are Hybrid Environments the Future? Wrong Question.

Lately, there’s been a lot of debate about hybrid work models that blend time at the office with remote work. Which is better: the hybrid approach or a more traditional model, where the entire team is in the same place most of the time? I think that’s asking the wrong question. The right question is: […]

Let Them See You Sweat – Leaders who exercise make their whole teams healthier

So much has been written about the importance of regular exercise for one’s own physical and mental health, you’d have to be living under a rock not to recognize the benefits. And yet—some of us still struggle to commit to a regular exercise routine. Maybe we’re prioritizing other commitments. Or we’re just so stressed and […]

Walking Away From Your Desk is Critical—But Easier Said Than Done

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how great ideas can arrive at unexpected times and places. You’ve probably experienced this yourself: hammering at a problem for hours—or days—only to have the answer pop into your head while you’re washing the dishes or walking the dog. Stepping away from work also recharges your batteries, giving […]