Russ Powell
The Knower Trap: How Certainty Sabotages Problem-Solving
In this post, I explore how the "knower trap" hinders problem-solving and offer strategies for recognizing and getting out of it.
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Russ Powell
- Jul 20
- 4 min
Becoming a Better Forecaster: Insights from the Pros
In a world filled with uncertainty, the ability to make accurate predictions is a valuable skill. What do superforecasters have to teach us?
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Russ Powell
- Jul 13
- 5 min
Developing a Learning Organization: Five Principles for Improving Performance
Cultivate a workplace where the practices of continuous learning and growth thrive—with these five principles.
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Russ Powell
- Jul 6
- 3 min
A Surprising Secret: How High-Performing Teams Transform Conflict Into a Competitive Edge
HPTs embrace an inherent paradox—that creation and innovation is often impossible without some friction.
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Russ Powell
- Jul 2
- 6 min
The S-Loop Problem-Solving Framework: A Primer for Business Leaders
The S-Loop is a cyclical, four-stage problem-solving framework that can help you tackle complex problems in human systems.
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Russ Powell
- May 1
- 3 min
A Caution Against Using DiSC and Myers-Briggs When Making Hiring Decisions
DiSC and MBTI can be useful for team-building and personal development, but I strongly recommend against their use in the hiring process.
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Russ Powell
- Mar 1
- 11 min
Peer Coaching: A Surprising Solution to Faster, Better Leadership Development
Unlock potential in your startup or small business with peer-coaching. Develop your leaders and solve problems better, faster, and cheaper.
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Russ Powell
- Oct 3, 2023
- 7 min
"We know a lot about organizations; they’re not as mysterious as they seem." –Bill Daniels
Four systems outlining the relationships between leaders and their teams to help you understand productivity, progress and how to improve.
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Russ Powell
- Jan 24, 2023
- 3 min
Cowboys, Pit Crews, Doctors and Checklists – A Physician's Take on Systems-Thinking
In a TED video, Atul Gawande summarizes what we do at RPC every day—we help managers learn to analyze and solve problems in human systems.
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Russ Powell
- Oct 18, 2022
- 5 min
Six Rules of Training Every Manager Should Know
Skill alone is not enough to guarantee performance. You must also have opportunity to perform, self-efficacy, and a supportive environment.
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Russ Powell
- Jun 27, 2022
- 2 min
Three Steps for Having Better Difficult Conversations
To have productive difficult conversations take the perspective of the other, think about what you truly want, and don't take it personally.
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Russ Powell
- May 9, 2022
- 3 min
Dunbar's Number and the Limits of Friendship
A few excerpts from an article by Maria Konnikova about Dunbar's number, the nature of friendship and the limits of social media.
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Russ Powell
- Feb 23, 2022
- 5 min
Systems Thinking and the Juggling Girls of Berlin
A troupe of jugglers from Berlin helps us apply a simple, powerful framework for thinking about and diagnosing problems in human systems.
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Russ Powell
- Feb 23, 2022
- 4 min
Three Things High Performing Teams Do Differently
A study from psychologist Ron Friedman suggests high-performing teams find success by making better, stronger social connections.
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Russ Powell
- Feb 22, 2022
- 2 min
Sometimes a Leader Needs a Good Poet
As leaders, we don't often think much about poetry, until it becomes a necessity.
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Russ Powell
- Feb 17, 2022
- 2 min
Working on Building Empathy Skills? Here are Four Best Practices
An overview of the ways in which you can better express empathy on the job.
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Russ Powell
- Feb 14, 2022
- 5 min
Five Ways to Get More Quiet Time
In this time of constant-distraction-as-norm, leaders need quiet time for reflection and discernment more than ever.
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Russ Powell
- Feb 11, 2022
- 1 min
What Makes Relationships Thrive
A little snippet of a helpful podcast I found on one of the most essential leadership (and life) skills.
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Russ Powell
- Feb 10, 2022
- 1 min
6th Grader Saves the Lives of Two People on the Same Day
The simple act of doing the right thing can make a huge impact.
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Russ Powell
- Feb 5, 2022
- 1 min
To Get Ahead, You Need Both Ambition and Humility
Balance is a vital skill in leadership and in life - specifically the use of confidence and humility.
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