In the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, leadership isn’t about titles or corner offices; it’s about survival, sacrifice and the strength of the team. While the Netflix Show Stranger Things, captivates us with 80s nostalgia and supernatural thrills, it also gives us a masterclass in modern leadership.
Lesson 1: Fueling the “Energy Bus” with Positivity
Leadership expert Jon Gordon often teaches that “pessimists don’t change the world.”In Hawkins, the stakes couldn’t be higher, yet the characters who thrive and survive are those who maintain a vision of hope. When Will goes missing, Joyce Byers refuses to accept the “logical” conclusion She builds a communication system out of Christmas lights, fueled by what Gordon calls The Power of Positive Leadership.
Leaders must be the “Chief Energy Officer” of their teams. Like Joyce, you must confront negativity and stay focused on the vision, even when others think you are “crazy” for believing in a breakthrough.
Lesson 2: The Power of “One More”
Ed Mylett champions the “Power of One More”, doing one more rep, making one more call or stay one more minute. This relentless pursuit is what transforms a group of kids into a formidable team. Think of Steve Harrington. He didn’t start as a hero. (In fact, according to the Duffer brothers, he was supposed to be killed off at the end of the first season but they all loved him so much they kept him). Steve consistently chooses to do “one more” brave thing - one more swing of the bat, one more protective stand for the kids. He moved from being a self-absorbed teenager to a selfless protector by maximizing his moments.
Leadership is a “Max Out” game. As Mylett says, you are always “one decision away” from a completely different life, personal or professional result. Are you willing to go “one more” round for your team?
Lesson 3: Raising the Lid on Potential
John Maxwell’s Law of the Lid states that leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness. In Stranger Things, we see characters constantly hitting their “lids” and breaking through them. Eleven (El) begins with immense power but zero leadership skills. Through her “found family,” she learns the Law of Connection, that leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand.
Your technical “superpowers” will only take you so far. To increase your impact, you must raise your leadership lid by intentionally adding value to others (Maxwell’s Law of Addition).
The ultimate lesson of Stranger Things is that “friends don’t lie.” In leadership, this translates to transparency and trust. Whether you are navigating a department or an interdimensional rift, you cannot lead people who do not trust you.
As Gordon, Mylett, and Maxwell all agree: your culture is not what you say; it’s what you live. When the “Upside Down” of Athletics hits, it is the strength of your connections and the clarity of your vision that will bring your team back into the light.
We've all heard it: "Go big or go home!" It's a mantra often shouted from motivational posters and entrepreneurial podcasts, promising that only the grandest, most boldest leaps lead to success. But what if this seemingly empowering phrase is actually a subtle trap, pushing us towards an unsustainable pursuit of perfection and leaving us feeling deflated when our massive efforts don't immediately pay off?
The "go big" mentality can breed a kind of all-or-nothing perfectionism. If every endeavor has to be a home run, a game-changer, or a viral sensation, then the fear of falling short becomes paralyzing. We postpone projects, hesitate to start new habits, and procrastinate on important tasks, waiting for that elusive perfect moment or revolutionary idea. The pressure to "go big" can be so immense that we end up "going nowhere" instead, stuck in analysis paralysis or the quicksand of self-doubt.
So, what's the antidote to this "go big or go home" trap? The quiet, powerful truth of incremental progress. Yep. Progress instead of perfection. This is the power of small, consistent steps. Whether you're learning a new skill, building a business, improving your health, or writing a book, the most sustainable and impactful progress often comes from the compound effect of tiny, manageable actions.
Here's why incremental progress is better:
- Reduces Overwhelming Feelings: Breaking down large goals into small, achievable steps makes them less daunting and more approachable.
- Builds Momentum: Each small win provides a psychological boost, fueling your motivation to continue. This positive feedback loop is crucial for long-term engagement.
- Encourages Learning and Adaptation: Small steps allow for course correction and refinement along the way. You can learn from your experiences without having invested everything into one huge, unchangeable strategy.
- Fosters Consistency: It's far easier to commit to a small, daily action than to a sporadic, monumental effort. Consistency is the secret sauce for lasting change.
- Cultivates Resilience: When a small step doesn't go as planned, it's easier to recover and adjust than when a massive, all-consuming effort falls flat.
So, the next time you feel the pressure to "go big," remember that true, lasting impact is often forged in the quiet dedication to small, consistent steps. Don't be afraid to start small, to make incremental gains, and to celebrate the journey rather than just the destination. Because it's in those seemingly tiny efforts that the truly grand achievements are made.
In today's fast-paced world, it's all too easy to get lost in the whirlwind of responsibilities and distractions, especially social media. But imagine a life where every moment feels rich and fulfilling. A life where you are fully present, savoring each experience and truly enjoying your surroundings.
Welcome to the art of being present.
When you choose to be present, you unlock a myriad of benefits:
- Enhanced Well-being: Feel more connected and in tune with yourself and your environment.
- Improved Relationships: Foster deeper, more meaningful connections with those around you.
- Greater Appreciation: Discover the beauty and joy in the small things that often go unnoticed.
This topic resonated with me this week as I am heading on an Alaskan cruise with family. The beauty of nature and taking in all the surroundings is really about enjoying it and being where your feet are. So whether it is a conversation or a vacation, be where your feet are.
Achieving your ambitions isn't just a distant dream—it's within your reach! All you need is a solid system to get there. Let's make the remaining six months of this year count by establishing powerful routines and leveraging the magic of habit stacking and creating those bookends. Habit stacking is a simple strategy. It involves linking new habits to existing ones, making it easier to build positive routines without overwhelming your schedule.
Why Morning & Evening Routines?
1. Set the Tone: Your morning routine primes you for a productive day.
2. Reflect & Recharge: Your evening routine helps you unwind and prep for tomorrow's success.
3. Consistency is Key: Routines create consistency, and consistency breeds success.
4. Within Your Control: This is usually the only time of day that is within your control so make it work for you!
Here’s How to Create Your Perfect System:
1. Identify Key Habits: What do you want to achieve? Choose habits that align with your goals.
2. Morning Routine: Example: Wake up → Drink a glass of water → 5-minute meditation → Quick workout → Review daily goals.
3. Evening Routine: Example: Dinner → 10-minute tidy-up → Plan for tomorrow → Read for 15 minutes → Bedtime.
4. Stack Your Habits: Seamlessly add new habits onto existing ones.
- Wake up → (new) Drink a glass of water.
- Water → (new) 5-minute meditation.
Ready to Commit? Here’s Your Step-by-Step Plan:
1. Set Clear Goals: Outline what you want to achieve in the next six months. Make them specific and measurable.
2. Design Your Routines: Create morning and evening routines that support your goals.
3. Start Small: Begin with just one habit stack for each routine, then gradually add more.
4. Track Your Progress: Keep a journal or use a habit-tracking app to monitor your daily progress.
5. Adjust as Needed: Regularly review your routines and adjust them to better fit your goals and lifestyle. We suggest trying these out for the month and then review two weeks in and then four weeks in and make adjustments as needed.
Get started now and unlock your potential. Six months is all you need to make a lasting impact!
Leadership success transcends mere statistics. While data and metrics are invaluable, the true essence of effective leadership lies in the less tangible, yet equally critical, key performance indicators. These include, but are not limited to, team morale, employee engagement, growth opportunities, and the overall work culture you cultivate.
As a leader, it’s crucial to check your ego at the door. Remember, it’s not about you – it’s about your people. Your ability to inspire, support, and empower your team ultimately drives the collective success of your organization. When you prioritize their well-being, development, and satisfaction, the positive impact on your bottom line will follow naturally.
So, let's focus on building meaningful relationships, fostering an environment of trust and collaboration, and celebrating the unique strengths and contributions of each team member. Together, we can achieve remarkable things that no set of numbers alone can fully capture.
