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Is he Thinking About Commitment, or is it Just Me?
If you have ever been in a relationship with a man, you have probably also asked yourself: Is he thinking about commitment? It’s normal to wonder if you are latching onto someone who sees you as a passing fling. And it’s not wrong to want commitment. In fact, wanting commitment is natural and healthy. Commitment gives you a sense of stability and security. In addition, it is a pathway to deeper emotional intimacy. When you commit, aligning your goals and values becomes easier. Plus, when you have a committed partner, you have someone to motivate you to be the best version of yourself. Most of all, commitments give you a…
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Are You a Leader? You Need A Second in Command
I never thought I would embody the ‘it’s lonely at the top‘ stereotype. But it’s because I thought I would have no friends—I still did—so I thought it did not matter. That is until I realized I was alone in all aspects of leadership. I never thought I would need a second in command. You know that there are some problems other employees will never be able to understand. There are some challenges unique to leadership roles. Worst of all, they are problems you cannot share with the rest of the team because again…they are leadership challenges. With time, maintaining your energy can become challenging. Not only do all leadership…
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Travel as Education? How Travel Has Made Me a Better Husband and Leader
For the last four years, my wife and I have been gallivanting around the world as full-time digital nomads. We sold our home and all our belongings, got online jobs, and left the U.S. in 2020. Full-time travel has affected me in ways I never expected. It has reshaped my understanding of the world and developed my skills as a husband and leader. Cross-cultural travel is very eye-opening. It challenges you in every way—from trying to assimilate into different cultures to handling frustrating financial, situational, and social situations. I’m certainly a different man than when I left, and while I haven’t processed it all yet, here are a few things…
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Balancing Empathy and Authority: The Sweet Spot for Leaders
Who is the best leader? The following example will show you why balancing empathy and authority is necessary for good leadership. The first kind of leader follows a cutthroat style. He turns the heat up, expects no mistakes, or else there will be consequences, does not take any excuses, no matter how valid, and is only focused on getting things done for the company. To him, employees are and should be replaceable. The second kind of leader is considerate and nice. He accepts all mistakes, takes excuses despite validity, and is focused on making sure that employees are happy. He never puts an employee in uncomfortable situations and agrees to…
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He Won’t Discuss Money, And Here’s Why
The other day, I was having a conversation with a friend about how his parents were going through a rough patch—let’s call them Mr. and Mrs. Smith. As it turns out, Mr. Smith lost his bedroom privileges because he was never willing to discuss money. At least, that’s what I got from the story. According to my friend, Mr. Smith was going through a tough financial crisis. He had made a bad investment, lost money, and kept silent about it until Mrs. Smith found out from someone else. Dramatic, I know! The thing is, Smith Junior was siding with Dad, saying that the lie did not warrant Mom’s reaction. He…
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Instill Confidence In Your Team As A Servant Leader
If you have ever had problems with being and building confidence in others, I am envious. Confidence is one of those things that you will need throughout life. Whether you are pitching a meeting or lying through your teeth. In addition, as you step into a leadership role, you must instill confidence in your team. There are two things to unpack here. First, as a new leader, your team may have little to no confidence in you. It’s alright, though. Why wouldn’t they be skeptical of someone who just earned their first team leader or managerial position? Second thing—servant leaders can sometimes be seen as ‘weak’ or ‘not authoritative enough’…
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Male Loneliness: Why Aren’t Today’s Men Making Friends?
Friendships are a cornerstone of a fulfilling life, yet many men find making and maintaining close friends particularly challenging as they age. The “friendship recession” is real, and it’s not just about having fewer friends; it’s about the quality and depth of those relationships. Whether you’re fresh out of college or noticing your circle has shrunk over the years of your career, understanding the dynamics of male bonding can transform your social life and stave off the pain of loneliness. In this article, we will cover practical tips to foster meaningful male friendships and insights on navigating the complexities of friendship in modern American life. Why are friendships important? Men…
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Bad Employment: When to Walk Away
Years of employment have exposed me to a lot of things. I like to dwell on the good stuff, or at least I try to. But it’s hard to forget all the bad, too. In fact, more than 50% of people lose jobs because of bad bosses, not bad employment. Another 37% think about leaving because of managers. Basically, everyone has a story to tell about bad bosses and toxic employment. You probably have the same experience. But now, it’s different. You are on the fence, wondering if you are the problem or if it’s just them. It’s good that you are asking yourself this question. You can never go…
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What Management Has Taught Me About Dealing With a Difficult Employee
There came a time when I stopped being an employee—at least, that’s what it felt like when I was promoted to management. My plan was to be a good manager; nobody really plans for less. My goal was to help the team I managed with no problems. I had never considered dealing with a different employee. Actually, any employee can feel a little difficult from time to time, depending on the situation. But there are some that you can’t help but feel are out to get you. As I learned, managing a difficult employee is one of those things about management you can never escape. It could be someone who’s…
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Is Happiness Really That Complicated?
What is happiness and joy? Are these actual concepts we can truly understand, and if so what would be the importance of understanding them? I’ve often compartmentalized these concepts, and wondered if truly understanding them is worth spending mental energy on. After all these are personal emotions that only impact our own person right, or maybe not? I was at a conference several years ago. I had to step outside for a brief moment to take a phone call and on my way back inside I crossed by someone sitting just outside the conference door on a bench, seemingly staring into space. They were literally right by the door so…
