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Hope vs. Realism: The Stockdale Paradox
Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
In the movie A House of Dynamite, an unidentified nuclear missile is inbound…
Sheril Mathews
I am an executive/leadership coach. Before LS, I worked for 20 years in corporate America in various technical & leadership roles. Have feedback? You can reach me at sheril@leadingsapiens.com.
163 posts
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The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition — A Deep Dive
The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition is one of the most enduring explanations of how human beings develop mastery. We…
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Experiential Learning Cycle
It’s easy to assume that you learn from all experiences. Not always. Those who adapt and learn the fastest…
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ICs vs Managers vs Leaders: Why Real Leadership is Rare
It should be considered that there is nothing more difficult to handle, more doubtful of success, or more dangerous to…
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How's Your Adaptive Capacity?
In nature, species that survive aren't the strongest or smartest. They're the most adaptive. When the…
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Transformative Learning in Leadership Coaching
Leaders today face complex challenges that can't be solved through skill development alone. Jack Mezirow's transformative…
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Core Practices of Adaptive Leadership
The hardest part of adaptive leadership is practicing it when the system pushes back. Over decades of studying leaders in…
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Adaptive Leadership: What It Means and Why It's Essential
Most leadership models sound good until they’re tested in the wild. A crisis, a reorg, or conflicting loyalties can…
On fishes, frames, and messes
Knowing what they like
I am very fond of strawberries and cream, but I have found that for some strange…
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McChrystal on Leadership Myth and Reality
General Stanley McChrystal commanded forces in one of the most results-driven environments imaginable — yet his deepest insight about leadership has…
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Competing Languages of Leadership
Leadership advice often focuses on communication style: how to be clearer, more persuasive, etc. While valuable, these tactics eventually hit…
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Career Myths: Lies We Are Sold
I recently wrote a piece on leadership myths. While writing, I realized these weren’t just organizational myths. They’re…