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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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Separating In A Relationship: Getting Through It With Pride
Do men talk about getting separated from their partners? With the high rate of divorces, they really should. That, and separating in a relationship, is harder than it sounds. You’re not just about losing a partner; you’re also dealing with changes in your daily routine and social life. Dealing with a separation isn’t about wallowing in sadness or pretending everything is okay. It’s not about stalking your ex or saying bad things about them. Going through separation is about facing the situation and using it as an opportunity to grow stronger emotionally. But how do you go through all of it without losing your pride? Mistakes are bound to happen.…
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What My Parent’s Late Divorce Taught Me About Life and Relationships
It wasn’t an event I anticipated, nor something I thought would shape my understanding of life and relationships as deeply as it has. But, life teaches us the most through unexpected experiences. You see, my parents got a divorce after 30+ years of marriage! My brothers and I were all in our late twenties and had wives and families of our own. So, it was quite a shock! It’s not like the signs weren’t there. While all is forgiven now, let’s just say my Dad thoroughly earned those divorce papers. My mom only kept it together for my brothers and me to grow up in a two-parent household. Once we…
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The Importance of Social Fitness For Men
One thing I have noticed is that men love to talk about fitness. They share gym routines, food calendars, protein intake and recipes, and more. Bros always try to get their fellow bros fit and healthy. The only fitness guys rarely pay attention to is social fitness for men. But I get it. Social fitness is not something that comes up during social interaction. It’s not like someone will ask you how social you have been and if you are spending enough time with your family or friends. But maybe we should. Social fitness for men is just as important as physical fitness—maybe even more if you consider the effects…
