Succession Planning: Grooming the Next Manager
Topic Quick Take What is succession planning? A simple system to prepare the next manager before you actually need them. Biggest benefit You avoid chaos when someone leaves and your team keeps moving. Biggest risk Promoting the wrong person because they are loyal or loud, not ready. Time horizon Usually 12 to 36 months of
Sabbaticals: Why Paying People to Leave Recharges Them
Factor Short-Term Impact Long-Term Impact Cost to business Higher payroll + coverage costs Lower turnover, better retention, steadier growth Team workload More pressure, short coverage gaps Stronger systems, better delegation, cross-training Individual performance Short pause in output Higher creativity, energy, and focus Culture & loyalty Visible signal that people matter Deeper trust, easier hiring, fewer
The CEO’s Schedule: Time Blocking for Deep Strategy
Time Block Type Primary Goal Typical Length Best Time of Day Who Gets Access Deep Strategy Blocks Thinking, direction, big decisions 90-120 minutes Morning Only you Leadership Blocks 1:1s, hiring, culture 60-90 minutes Late morning / early afternoon Direct reports Execution Blocks Reviews, approvals, key ops 45-60 minutes Afternoon Core team External Blocks Investors, partners,
Performance Reviews: Why Annual Reviews Are Dead
Topic Old Annual Reviews Modern Performance Reviews Frequency Once a year Ongoing (weekly / monthly / quarterly) Timing Backwards-looking, delayed Real-time or near real-time Focus Judgment, rating, salary Growth, coaching, course-correction Emotion Anxiety, fear, surprise Clarity, shared goals, fewer surprises Impact on performance Low impact, often demotivating Higher impact, tied to current work Most annual
The ‘Bus Factor’: What Happens If You Get Hit by a Bus?
Topic Quick Take What is “Bus Factor”? How many people can vanish before your business or life stops working. Good Bus Factor 3 or more people can disappear and things still run. Bad Bus Factor 1 person holds all the keys (often you). Main Risk Business stalls, revenue drops, family stressed, brand damaged. Big Win
Cybersecurity Training for Non-Technical Staff (Link to Tech)
Aspect What It Means Why It Matters for You Main Goal Teach non-technical staff to spot and stop common cyber threats Reduces risk of data loss, downtime, and reputation damage Key Focus Email, passwords, devices, remote work, messaging habits Targets where breaches actually start in day-to-day work Approach Simple, story-based, role-specific training tied to real
Personality Tests: Myers-Briggs vs. Disc in the Workplace
Myers-Briggs (MBTI) DISC What it measures Cognitive preferences (how you think, decide, relate) Behavior patterns (how you act and communicate) Main use at work Self-awareness, career fit, communication styles Team dynamics, sales, leadership styles, conflict handling Output 16 personality types (e.g., ENTJ, INFP) Four factors: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientiousness Complexity Higher: multiple letters and combinations
Diversity & Inclusion: moving Beyond the PR Statement
Aspect PR Statement Only Real Diversity & Inclusion Impact on People Short-term morale bump, then skepticism Safer culture, better retention, deeper trust Impact on Performance Little to no real change Better decisions, fewer blindspots, stronger teams What It Requires A press release and a slide deck Hard conversations, data, systems, long-term work Risk Profile High
Unlimited PTO: Scam or Benefit?
Question Short Answer Is unlimited PTO a scam? Sometimes. It depends on culture, workload, and norms, not the policy name. Who benefits most? Companies that want flexibility and cost control. Employees win only when boundaries are clear. Average days actually taken Often less than traditional 15-20 day plans, unless managers set strong examples. Key risk
Team Building Events That Aren’t Cringe-Worthy (Link to Escape Rooms)
Type of Event Cringe Level Builds Real Trust? Good for Remote / Hybrid? Best Use Case Escape Rooms Low High Yes (virtual & in-person) Problem solving, collaboration, leadership Forced Icebreakers High Low Yes Quick intros, one-off meetings Happy Hour / Drinks Medium Medium Hard for remote Informal bonding, celebrating wins Workshops & Training Medium Medium
