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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.

Russ Powell
May 1, 20243 min read


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.

Russ Powell
Mar 1, 202412 min read


My new favorite word – phronesis
Phronesis, or practical wisdom, is the greatest virtue a leader can have. If you have a project, hire a leader with abundant phronesis.

Russ Powell
Dec 10, 20231 min read


"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.

Russ Powell
Oct 3, 20237 min read


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.

Russ Powell
Jan 24, 20233 min read


Live-virtual Training – How to Create and Maintain Engagement (Part 2)
Tips on how to be a better, more engaging facilitator of live-virtual training. Part two of two.

Russ Powell
Dec 15, 20225 min read


Live-virtual Training – How to Create and Maintain Engagement (Part 1)
Tips on how to be a better, more engaging facilitator of live-virtual training. Part one of two.

Russ Powell
Dec 7, 20225 min read


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.

Russ Powell
Oct 18, 20225 min read


If You Pit a Good Performer Against a Bad System, the System Will Win Every Time
Most “training problems” are system problems. Clear expectations, solid processes, helpful feedback, and the right tools shape performance far more than training alone. When leaders fix the system first, people succeed—and training finally sticks.

Russ Powell
Oct 4, 20224 min read


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.

Russ Powell
Jun 27, 20222 min read


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.

Russ Powell
May 9, 20223 min read


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.

Russ Powell
Feb 23, 20225 min read


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.

Russ Powell
Feb 23, 20224 min read


Sometimes a Leader Needs a Good Poet
As leaders, we don't often think much about poetry, until it becomes a necessity.

Russ Powell
Feb 22, 20223 min read


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.

Russ Powell
Feb 17, 20222 min read


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.

Russ Powell
Feb 14, 20225 min read


What Makes Relationships Thrive
A little snippet of a helpful podcast I found on one of the most essential leadership (and life) skills.

Russ Powell
Feb 11, 20221 min read


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.

Russ Powell
Feb 10, 20221 min read


How would you say it differently?
A collection of my thoughts on effective communication and why language is so important.

Russ Powell
Feb 8, 20221 min read


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.

Russ Powell
Feb 5, 20221 min read
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