JMH 6/8/26 JMH 6/8/26

Why Leaders Solve the Wrong Problem

Most failed initiatives are not failures of execution. They are failures of problem definition that execution then faithfully carried out. Week 1 of The Right Problem explores why experienced leaders consistently solve the wrong problem, and what it costs when they do.

JMH 5/18/26 JMH 5/18/26

How Feedback Actually Lands

Most feedback dies in the silence after the conversation. The giver delivered the message and assumes the work is done. The receiver, even if they took the feedback well, drifts back to the old pattern within a week. Three things decide whether feedback actually lands and turns into change. None of them happen in the moment of the conversation.

JMH 5/10/26 JMH 5/10/26

The Conversation Itself

Most leadership content treats the feedback conversation like the whole game. Pick the right framework. Use the right words. The frameworks aren't wrong, but they aren't the answer most leaders think they are. Four mechanics decide whether the conversation actually does its job, regardless of which acronym you use.

JMH 5/2/26 JMH 5/2/26

The Leader's Inner Work

Before you give feedback, there's a question most leaders never ask. What did I contribute to the situation I am about to talk about? Three areas of inner work most leadership content quietly skips.

JMH 4/27/26 JMH 4/27/26

The Conditions That Make Feedback Work

Most feedback fails before the conversation even begins. This post breaks down three research‑backed conditions—psychological safety, clear expectations, and frequent conversations—that leaders must create so feedback leads to learning and performance instead of defensiveness.

JMH 4/22/26 JMH 4/22/26

One-on-Ones: The Most Important Meeting You're Probably Doing Wrong

Most managers know they should be doing one-on-ones. Fewer are doing them in a way that actually builds trust, opens communication, and develops their people. Here's a simple framework that makes them consistent, purposeful, and worth thirty minutes of your week.

JMH 4/13/26 JMH 4/13/26

The First Day Matters

The first day shapes the entire year ahead—for both new hires and managers. Discover what both sides need to know to create a strong start, backed by research from Harvard, MIT, and SHRM.