Picture this: You’re driving down a busy highway when suddenly traffic starts backing up ahead. What do you do? You observe the situation, orient yourself to understand what’s happening, decide on the best lane to switch to, and then act by making your move. Congratulations – you just used the OODA Loop without even knowing […]
I’ve been using the phrase “Leadership Powered by Common Sense” for years. It’s been my tagline, my podcast name, my brand identifier. But lately, I’ve realized something troubling: nobody really knows what it means. Including me, sometimes. When I say “common sense leadership,” people nod knowingly. But when I dig deeper—when I ask what they […]
The call came at 11:47 PM on a Tuesday. Sarah, a VP at a fast-growing tech company, was supposed to be celebrating—her team had just closed their biggest deal of the year. Instead, she was sitting in her home office, laptop open, responding to “urgent” emails that could have waited until morning. “Doug,” she said […]
Picture this: You walk into your office and notice something feels off. People are going through the motions, but that spark—that energy that makes a team truly hum—is missing. You’re not alone. Employee engagement has hit a 10-year low, with only 31% of U.S. employees truly engaged at work, down from its peak of 36% […]
Picture this: You’re at a big party, surrounded by people, but you might as well be invisible. That’s exactly how 1 in 5 employees feel at work right now, according to recent data from Harvard Business Review. Despite all the Slack channels, Zoom meetings, and office social events, workers are feeling more alone than ever. […]
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, emotional intelligence (EI or EQ) has emerged as the defining factor that separates exceptional leaders from merely competent ones. As we navigate through 2025, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership has reached unprecedented levels, with studies showing that EI accounts for nearly 90% of what moves people up […]
In today’s dynamic business landscape, small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) face unique challenges that require both effective administration and management. While these terms are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, understanding their distinct functions and how they complement each other can be crucial for business success, especially as we navigate the evolving business environment of […]
There is an invisible wall in the business world. It’s the wall between management and leadership; being a good manager and becoming a great leader. People can spend an entire career and never break through that wall. The wall is not about equal opportunity, hiring practices, promotion or selection. Nor is it about gender or […]
Heart and brain on scales. Balance, love, mind, intelligence, logic concept. Flat style. EPS 8 vector illustration, no transparency ” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/dougthorpe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/51636535_m-scaled.webp?fit=650%2C488&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/dougthorpe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/51636535_m-scaled.webp?fit=847%2C635&ssl=1″ /> As a leader, you have so mnay chocies to make. People, process, product and performance issues surround you. Making the best choice can be difficult. However, nothing can be more powerful than […]
In the dynamic landscape of business acquisition and entrepreneurship, the concept of SMART goals has evolved far beyond its original 1981 introduction. Today’s successful business leaders are reimagining this classic framework to meet contemporary challenges and opportunities. Let’s explore how modern entrepreneurs are leveraging SMART goals to drive successful business transitions and sustainable growth. The […]
