Today's leadership tip: Ask one more question before making one more statement. When something doesn't make sense, our instinct is often to explain, correct, defend, or solve. Today, try something different. Ask one more question. Instead of: “Why didn't you do this?” Try: “Walk me through what happened.” Instead of: “I already explained this.” Try: “Tell me how you're understanding the expectation.” Instead of immediately solving someone's problem, try: “Would it be helpful for me to listen, or would you like us to think through some solutions together?” One more question may uncover information you didn't have. What question could you use more often with your team?

You receive an email that immediately frustrates you. Your first instinct is to respond and correct what was said. Here's today's leadership tip: Don't type from the emotion. Pause. Read it again. Ask yourself: “What outcome do I actually want from my response?” Then write toward the outcome—not the irritation. 💬 What helps you slow down when something gets an immediate emotional reaction from you?

It's a new month, and we're beginning a new conversation inside Creating Culture on Purpose. Our October focus is The Leadership Pause, that small but important space between what happens and what you choose to do next. Let's start by noticing where that pause can be hardest. Which situation is most likely to get an immediate reaction from you? No judgment here. We all have situations that get our attention faster than others. The first step is simply noticing the pattern.

Something happens. Then, almost immediately, our minds begin filling in the rest of the story. “They didn't care.” “They weren't listening.” “They're resisting.” “They should have known.” Sometimes we're right. Sometimes we're responding to an assumption as though it were a fact. This week, practice separating the two. When something gets your attention, ask: What do I actually know? Then: What am I assuming? That small distinction can completely change what happens next. 💬 Where do you find assumptions sneaking into your leadership most often?