The Leadership In Focus: Weekend High Five - October 12th, 2024

We’ve made it to October, and for those of us in Canada, it’s Thanksgiving weekend—a perfect time to hit pause, reflect, and take stock of what truly matters. ????

You might be wondering why Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October, ahead of our American neighbors. Our holiday is rooted in the harvest season. Traditionally, we celebrate earlier because the northern harvest wraps up sooner, given our cooler climate. It’s a time to give thanks for the abundance of the season, and more importantly, to come together with loved ones.

This year, I’m particularly thankful for something deeply personal: the chance to celebrate with my family. After spending the better part of the last 13 years apart—separated by life, work, and circumstances—being together now feels like a gift. Having my parents, siblings, daughters, niece, and nephew all under one roof reminds me of what really matters. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of work and goals, but these moments are priceless.

For everyone, whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend or not, this time of year is a reminder to pause, appreciate the present, and reconnect with what’s important—before the rush of the year-end sweeps us up.

Take a moment this weekend to reflect on what you're grateful for, enjoy the little moments, and set yourself up to lead with a refreshed sense of purpose.

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians, and welcome to this week’s Leadership In Focus: Weekend High Five!

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Quote of the Week: “If a leader can’t recognize their flaws, they have the most dangerous flaw of them all; a lack of self awareness” - Rob Dance

Takeaway: Leaders who lack self-awareness are missing one of the most critical leadership skills. Without it, they are blind to their own weaknesses and the negative impact they may be having on their teams. This gap in understanding can contribute to employee disengagement, as teams struggle under leaders who are not open to feedback and personal growth.

Action Item: This week, reflect on your leadership style and seek out hard, honest feedback from your team or peers. Focus on identifying one key area where your blind spots might be holding others back, and commit to making a change based on that feedback.

Interesting read: “How Trust Saved KFC” By: David Novak

In this article, David Novak, former Yum! Brand CEO, shares his experience taking on the challenge of turning around KFC during a time of deep mistrust between the corporation and its franchisees. The key to his success? Embracing "Theory Y" leadership, which centers on trusting that people are creative and capable, rather than needing to be controlled. Novak extended trust first, fostering collaboration, and shifting the company culture from combative to cooperative. This trust-based approach led to swift progress, culminating in a turnaround for KFC and long-lasting success rooted in shared goals and mutual respect.

As we continue on this leadership growth journey together, here are the 5 big ideas we discussed this week at Leadership In Focus:

Monday: ?? Let’s Talk About STP – Something to Prove We all have something to prove—whether it's to an ex, a former boss, or even ourselves. But STP can be the fuel for growth if used right. We shared how to turn resentment into a motivator, unlock hidden powers, and flip the script to prove others (and yourself) right about your potential. ??

Tuesday: ?? When life keeps handing you lemons, become the next Tropicana We all know that one friend who bets it all with a bad hand—because confidence often beats caution. When life hands you lemons, are you complaining about the sourness, or turning them into something bigger? It’s about using life’s challenges to level up, not stay stuck.

Wednesday: ?? What Diet Books and Performance Reviews Have in Common We dove into why so many goals and reviews fail to stick—and how the Weight Watchers model can offer some surprising strategies for hitting your performance targets. We explored clear goals, support systems, and the importance of accountability.

Thursday: ??? Google, Lamborghini, and the Leadership Illusion I shared a picture of me in front of Google... but it wasn’t real (just like some of the advice you see floating around LinkedIn). The truth? Real leadership advice comes from walking the floor, talking to your team, and validating assumptions. It’s about management by walking around, not by standing in front of logos.

Friday: ?? 7 Productivity Hacks That Keep You Stuck We had fun exposing the fake “productivity hacks” that actually hold you back—like hitting snooze four times or filling your day with back-to-back meetings. Instead, we shared real ways to flip the script and take back control of your time and focus.

Closing Thought: This week, we talked about proving ourselves, making the best of life’s lemons, taking control of our goals, and staying grounded in reality. As we move into the busy fall season, how will you make sure you’re focused on what really matters—both for you and your team?

Check out our LinkedIn and Instagram pages tomorrow for our new “Leadership In Focus, Not So Funny, Funnies”

From Sunday, October 6, 2024: The Ivory Tower: Watching from Above as Things Fall Apart ??

In last Sunday’s Leadership In Focus, Not So Funny, Funnies, we took a closer look at the classic “ivory tower” mindset—where leadership becomes disconnected from reality. Historically, the term "ivory tower" symbolized isolation from the real world, and it’s no different in today’s workplace. When leaders stay holed up in head office, detached from the frontline and customers, things start to unravel.

True leadership means staying connected, asking questions, and validating assumptions with those who are closest to the action. Key steps to avoid falling into the ivory tower trap include working alongside frontline employees, mystery shopping your own services, making field time mandatory for the team, and validating initiatives before rollout.

At the end of the day, it’s not about impressing the boss—it’s about serving the customer.

Tools & Resources of the Week: Leadership In Focus, Not So Funny, Funnies Greeting Cards

We’ve launched our Leadership In Focus, Not So Funny Funnies greeting cards! Celebrate new beginnings with a touch of humor. Each card from this collection playfully blends everyday workplace scenarios with a personalized message of encouragement. It’s the perfect way to mark significant life events with a mix of wit and heartfelt sentiment.

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