Author: Rachel Hanson

Hedonia is the pursuit of pleasure. The hedonistic lifestyle where decisions are made based on how much pleasure and enjoyment they bring me. Eudaimonia is a little more nuanced. It's the pursuit of happiness via pursuing meaning and/or purpose. Happiness is the lagging output, not the aim. Those who pursue meaning and purpose find happiness … Continue reading Hedonia vs Eudaimonia

KPIs, target goals, quarterly rocks....all are important to have. AND the magic isn't in the actual KPI itself. There are likely other KPIs that would measure success equally well or close to it. The magic is, are you holding each other accountable to hit what we said we'd hit? And then are we learning from … Continue reading KPIs

I was recently sitting at a coffee shop and couldn’t help but overhear the table next to mine. One guy met up with another and they sat down to hash out some difference of opinion or grievance. The problem was, the guy with the grievance wasn’t having a conversation, he was monologuing. He shared what … Continue reading Monologuing

When asked how he created one of his most famous masterpieces, The David, Michelangelo responded that David was there all along - he just chipped away at everything that wasn't David, until David was all that was left. BTL Identity work is much the same. The real you is there, always has been. The work … Continue reading The David

Cut through the noise. Keep the main thing the main thing. Actions speak louder than words. Think outside the box. Break down silos. Etc. We roll our eyes at cliches, and yet there's often a melody line of truth and wisdom in them. Spout them without action and they're simply overused bullshit phrases. Live them … Continue reading Cliches

It's unkind to hold someone accountable to unclear standards. Clarity is kind. Once the standard is super clear, accountability is simple. Did you clear the bar or not? If not, what must be done to get there? Are you willing to do it? What's the timeframe? If the standard is continually not met, then the … Continue reading Clarity is kind

Most people stop right before "the thing" comes out. The Thing your spouse is actually upset about, the frustration that you're actually having with your direct report. We hint around it, tip toe around it...and then hope that's good enough. It never is. Avoiding "the thing" keeps us stuck in rumination, builds mountains out of … Continue reading The Thing

Rules hem you in. They have a hard cap, and they're designed to keep you within the lines. At times that is appropriate, but when over used they develop an atmosphere of compliance, at best. Use them sparingly. Standards elevate you. They beg for you to reach for them, to be and do more. To … Continue reading Rules vs standards