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How We Work

Stories and thoughts about the things we do that (sometimes) work

Education
Learning Is Supposed to Feel Uncomfortable

Peter Bregman on September 3, 2019

“I don’t want to be harsh,” I told her. “But honestly, I wouldn’t trust you as a leader if I didn’t see you learning as a participant.”

“I don’t want to be harsh,” I told her. “But honestly, I wouldn’t trust you as a leader if I didn’t see you learning as a participant.”

Leadership
Develop Leadership Skills In a Low-Risk Environment

Peter Bregman on April 5, 2019

Successful people rarely become better leaders because they know more. They become better leaders because they follow through on what they know.

Successful people rarely become better leaders because they know more. They become better leaders because they follow through on what they know.

Rationalization
13 Ways We Justify, Rationalize, or Ignore Negative Feedback

Peter Bregman on February 15, 2019

Since feedback often uncovers our blind spots, it’s especially jarring because, in many cases, we thought we were doing a good job. So we don’t immediately agree with it.

Since feedback often uncovers our blind spots, it’s especially jarring because, in many cases, we thought we were doing a good job. So we don’t immediately agree with it.

Leadership
Discover Your Leadership Blind Spots

Peter Bregman on February 14, 2019

Geoff has a blind spot. His version of the world looks different than his team's. He doesn't see what the people around him sees. Which colors everything.

Geoff has a blind spot. His version of the world looks different than his team's. He doesn't see what the people around him sees. Which colors everything.

Leadership
The 3-Step Plan for Making 2019 Your Most Productive Year

Peter Bregman on February 1, 2019

When I teach time management, I always start with the same question: How many of you have too much time and not enough to do in it? In 10 years, no one has ever raised a hand.

When I teach time management, I always start with the same question: How many of you have too much time and not enough to do in it? In 10 years, no one has ever raised a hand.

Leadership
Why the Best Leaders Don't Ignore Others

Peter Bregman on January 24, 2019

The discussion was impassioned and heated. And while I had not initiated the debate, I unconsciously slid into an old habit of jumping into the fray.

The discussion was impassioned and heated. And while I had not initiated the debate, I unconsciously slid into an old habit of jumping into the fray.

Leadership
The Best Leaders Aren’t Afraid to Ask For Help

Peter Bregman on January 23, 2019

Dazed, bloody, lying on the street, I couldn’t think. Some people asked if I was OK, but I didn’t know. They asked if I needed water, but I didn’t know.

Dazed, bloody, lying on the street, I couldn’t think. Some people asked if I was OK, but I didn’t know. They asked if I needed water, but I didn’t know.

Career
Ask This Essential Question Now to Save Time Later

Peter Bregman on August 6, 2018

How often have you put your heart and soul into something—a sales pitch, a presentation, a letter, or a conversation—only to find that it misses the mark?

How often have you put your heart and soul into something—a sales pitch, a presentation, a letter, or a conversation—only to find that it misses the mark?

Leadership
The Four Elements of Effective Leadership

Peter Bregman on July 16, 2018

No matter your age, your role, your position, your title, your profession, or your status, to get your most important work done, you have to have hard conversations.

No matter your age, your role, your position, your title, your profession, or your status, to get your most important work done, you have to have hard conversations.

Cognition
The Right Way to Respond When Someone Makes a Poor Decision

Peter Bregman on June 28, 2018

“What were you thinking making those trades?” He asked her. Everything after that went downhill. With that first question, it would be hard for it to have gone any other way.

“What were you thinking making those trades?” He asked her. Everything after that went downhill. With that first question, it would be hard for it to have gone any other way.

Fear
How to Lead When You’re Feeling Afraid

Peter Bregman on June 19, 2018

I’d known Jeff (not his real name) for many years, as a client and as a friend, but I’d never seen him so thrown. I could feel his fear and his sense of uncertainty.

I’d known Jeff (not his real name) for many years, as a client and as a friend, but I’d never seen him so thrown. I could feel his fear and his sense of uncertainty.

Environment
What If You Could See What's Coming?

Peter Bregman on December 4, 2017

Discover your seventh sense for perceiving tipping points, why there’s no “second place” in the connected world of the future, and what you can do to prepare your business.

Discover your seventh sense for perceiving tipping points, why there’s no “second place” in the connected world of the future, and what you can do to prepare your business.

Resilience
What Makes Someone Incredibly Successful?

Peter Bregman on November 20, 2017

Discover the five essential qualities of an Extremer, how to tell if you’ve found the career you’re best suited for, and a practice to overcome your fear of failure.

Discover the five essential qualities of an Extremer, how to tell if you’ve found the career you’re best suited for, and a practice to overcome your fear of failure.

Career
How To Be a Great Boss Without Losing Your Humanity

Peter Bregman on November 6, 2017

Learn how to make your critical feedback land, navigate the perilous boundary between honesty and obnoxious aggression, and embrace the power of radical candor.

Learn how to make your critical feedback land, navigate the perilous boundary between honesty and obnoxious aggression, and embrace the power of radical candor.