People move so fast to find and produce answers to unknown questions. Our world moves fast, people move fast, answers come quickly… nobody stops to think of the question. We tell ourselves we’ll stop and reflect later, but now it’s time to produce. That “later” never comes. When it does come, it usually comes with a healthy dose of “blame” and “why didn’t we think about this, that, and the other thing.”I wrote the below a few years ago. I believe it’s worth pausing and giving it a read:###You cannot be the answer if you cannot see the question.My last boss once asked me: “David, what are you trying to solve?“I had no idea.I was trying my best to advocate on behalf of a learning strategy that I, and my team, felt we needed. But, we didn’t know the question to which we were trying to answer, we didn’t why we needed a new strategy. Consequently, I did not get what I attempted to achieve.  I failed to know the question. I only saw an answer. You cannot be the answer if you cannot see the question.See the question by:Empathy: Learn to see the world from the other’s view.Consider: Understand the impacts of the other’s needs not being met.Realize: Deeply feel the importance of the other’s need.Assert: Verbalize and write out the problem that needs to be solved.Look: Look at what you wrote out. Internalize the message.Share: Let the other(s) know that you’re aware of the problem, share what you understand, andAsk: Ask for validation. If you’re off, seek to understand what you missed and then re-share.If you go through these steps, you will see the others.  If you go through these steps, you will better understand the others.If you go through these steps, you will know the question.If you know the question, you have permission to be the answer.###

I believe I have a happy life.I don’t own much - lots of books, piano, keyboard, a mattress, a couch, things to cook with, and only the food I need. I appropriately struggle with myself and other humans. I’m not perfect, I deal with people who aren’t perfect, and I never stop finding occasions to learn from others and myself.For the balance of the year, I’ve maintained a belief that “life is absurd… so why take it too seriously.” I laugh off things a bit easier. I am thankful for the life I have. For all the goods and the bads, it’s mine… for the time that I have it.

I wonder if managers/leaders actually develop their teams. I don’t know if I believe that.I’m still learning, but my working idea is that great leaders don’t develop people. Instead, they make opportunity for people to stretch themselves, fail without serious consequence, and win. Great leaders are like great party hosts. They make it possibility possible.

My interest in things changes with my energy. At one point I could be interested ABC, and then my energy changes and now I’m thinking of 123. The challenge, for me, is not the changing interests. The challenge is keeping my interest for those interests in check — not to let myself get too excited. Skepticism, cynicism, and a dose of realism are helping me keep myself in check.For now, I think I’m okay with that.

Random thought as you start your day. Hospital and healthcare seem like the only fields where you can have a whole convo with four words - in, out, over, and under.“His BP is over”“Are they going in?”“Yes, they put him under.”“Let me know when he’s out.” They

How you welcome someone into an organization, team, or family is important. You have seconds to make a positive first impression. That first impression must tell the newbie that they will be safe with you. They must believe you have their best interests at heart. It’ must be obvious to them that you care about their success first and foremost. They believe you are their biggest fan.Be it a band, a team, family, business, or any other type of communal organization — how you welcome people matters.

Two of the most important events in person’s professional life may be when they get their first job, and when they get fired.You can read tons of books about how to hire people. Not a lot of books on how to fire.Being great at letting people go is a skill. I’m not the best at it, but I like to think I’m okay. The most important part, for me, is to acknowledge the truth of the matter.This conversation is stressful and painful; no words will make it better.You are a person, and I care about you as a person, that’s why I’m speaking the truth to you.We need different work than the work you do. What you do matters, and you need to go find the people who need your work. We’re not them.You’re not alone. We are with you as you transition. Here’s where you go next.If ever you need to say goodbye to people who work for you or that you work with, do it with love.

You’re only going to get better at the thing you’re trying to do if you keep at it. Incremental effort produces results.

Sometimes your eyes are bigger than your mouth. Life brings you tons of opportunity, and you jump on each one. It’s okay to have those moments when you over indulge, but… it’s better to savor and enjoy moderately. “It’s a marathon, not a race.” — too many people.

I’m subbing for a show in town called “Country Sunshine.” I received the music two days before my first show. I never had a chance to rehearse the show with others.I show up quietly. I don’t try to make too much of an impression, just enough to let others know that I’m here for them. When I play, I must play like I’ve played the show my whole life. I must not hesitate. If I make a mistake, I make it big. When I finish, I must leave just as quietly as I arrived. When the regular returns, the others should believe that person never left. So what’s the life lesson here? How do we relate to customers like a sub?Your customers, students, donors, fans have a life outside of you and your work. Your job is not to dominate their life. Instead, you jump in at certain points, make your mark effectively and with intention, and then leave just as quietly as you arrived.