The aspiring villager approached the master and asked, “Master, what must I do to lead well?”
The master said nothing. Instead, he handed her three items: a broom, a seed, and a ledger.
Confused, she asked, “What do these objects mean?”
The master replied, “The broom is for creating space and clearing obstacles so others can do their best work.
The seed is for guiding meaningful change, you must plant it, protect it, and trust it to grow.
And the ledger is for tracking outcomes—not to obsess over numbers, but to ensure your efforts create results.”
The aspiring villager looked at the simple objects again. “Is that all?”
The master smiled. “That’s not all. That’s everything.”
Thank you for the feedback, ideas, and inspiration so many of you continue to share; this month’s learning impulses are drawn with you in mind.
Regards,
Dan
“Relevant & pragmatic ideas, tools and insights to play at your best.”
For You
Over the past four years, I have downsized from a large, energizing office – think people, exchanging ideas, meeting corners, and an ample supply of pin boards and flip charts – to a solo room built for focus. It’s been great for thinking. Less great for letting go.
I still have boxes of highlighters, file folders, and “important” papers that haven’t been important since the London Summer Olympics. Some days, it feels like the stationery aisle at a sad pop-up museum of my professional past.
Why is it so hard to toss this stuff? It’s not about the paper. It’s about the part of me that still thinks, “Maybe I’ll need this… just in case.” The reality is, I won’t.
Letting go sounds simple. But whether it’s old roles, outdated habits, or ten pounds of unused binder clips, it takes a surprising amount of honesty to say, “This doesn’t serve me anymore.”
Sometimes growth isn’t about adding more – it’s about clearing out. When we let go of what’s no longer essential, we create space for what truly matters to arrive, breathe, and take root.
Here’s an idea – Take ten minutes to scan your workspace, physical or digital. Find one thing you’ve been holding onto “just in case”. Ask yourself honestly, “Is this helping me move forward – or just holding space?”
If it’s the latter, let it go. Small releases create big room.
For You & Your Team
When leaders speak about growth and ownership, their messages often sound like these are annual events, something you switch on once a year, like flipping a light.
Yet my experience, working with hundreds of leadership teams, shows otherwise. Ownership and growth are not one-time declarations. They are daily disciplines.
Here are five ways to bring more traction to your ownership for growth:
- Start with a self-check. Ask yourself, “What am I responsible for today, not just in task, but in tone?”. This reframes your day from reactive to intentional.
- Step into one avoided conversation. Growth often hides behind discomfort. Waiting will not make it easier. Ownership means creating clarity—even when it starts awkwardly.
- Reclaim your time language, swapping “I didn’t have time” for “I chose not to prioritize it.” Language shapes mindset. Growth begins where excuses end.
- Make your learning visible by share one insight you gained this week with your team or a peer. This models growth and normalizes continuous learning.
- Close the day with a micro-reflection, ask yourself, “Where did I lead by example today—and where did I fall short?” The best leaders learn by noticing themselves.
- Bonus Question – What is one behavior you are choosing this month that reflects your commitment to your own development?
For You, Your Team & Your Business
Leadership should not, must not be complicated; yet many attempt to make it so. Endless models, checklists, and theories can cloud what truly matters. Strip it all back, and just three things deserve your full attention:
- Engaging others to play at their best.
- Leading meaningful change and strategy.
- Creating results that matter.
Everything else is noise, distraction, or ego in disguise. What is one thing you can stop doing—so you can double down on what really counts?
People, Places & Technology
If you’re searching for a remarkable venue for executive gatherings, I can highly recommend Stradom House, Autograph Collection in Krakow. I recently moderated a European leadership meeting with 50 executives here, and the experience was exceptional. Housed in a stunning historical building between Wawel Castle and the Jewish Quarter, Stradom House brings together old-world charm with state-of-the-art facilities. The meeting spaces worked perfectly, the service was exceptional, and the atmosphere was energizing and upbeat, perfect for this executive leadership exchange. And best of all, it’s very reasonably priced.
Thought for the Day
“Growth doesn’t happen when you have time.
It happens when you take ownership.”
-Dan Norenberg