The 3 Circles of Influence

Control what you can, and let go of what you can’t.

The 3 Circles of Influence Model:

We have between 12,000-60,000 thoughts a day.
80% are negative (National Science Foundation)

Why?
Because we often worry about what we can’t control.

This leads to:

↳ Overthinking
↳ Increased Anxiety
↳ Low…Read More

10 signs you’re smarter than you think:

(even if you take them for granted)

Your intelligence shows up far beyond test scores and degrees.

1. You enjoy learning:
↳ You’re always curious and love diving into new topics, even without immediate reason.

2. You’re good at noticing patterns:
↳ You spot connections and trends others oft…Read More

A toxic culture can kill your company in 90 days.

But a strong one? That’s your secret weapon for
lasting success.

Building a great culture isn’t complicated.

The secret lies in these 7 daily practices:

1. Turn Values into Action
↳ Skip the fancy posters and mission statements
↳ Make your values guide real decisions daily
↳ Let the…Read More

7 Reasons Why Strategies Fail to Get Executed

“You know Jakob, we’ve worked hard on becoming a cohesive leadership team and align on a great strategy, but…”

“…we’re finding it real hard to get everyone else on board.”, a leader said to me recently.

That’s quite a paradox. I like to insist on top being aligned. Otherwise, silos…Read More

This isn’t taught in schools but it should be👇

10 Acts of Kindness at Work.

Creating a positive work environment:
– Increases productivity
– Increases job satisfaction
– Increases employee retention

Here are 10 ways to support your colleagues:

1. Offer assistance: See someone stuck? Lend a hand.

2. Share knowledge: Organise q…Read More

6 Rules to Be Charismatic

6 rules to be charismatic (I wish I knew these sooner):

When I was 12…
a close relative said I sucked at communicating.

I believed them.
So, I carried that limiting belief with me for 12 more years.

But then I learned about “behavior modeling.”
And I began to improve.

You see, behavior modeling is a…Read More

Steve Jobs’ 6 Rules of Presentations

99% of people are forgotten after their presentations.

Here’s how the legendary Steve Jobs became unforgettable when he spoke:

1. Keep it simple
→ Jobs spoke in simple, clear words that a primary school student would understand.

2. Facts Tell, Stories Sell
→ His presentations were crafted as emoti…Read More

12 Time Wasters

Time is the canvas on which we paint our lives.

Yet, we often let it slip away, caught in traps
↳ that hinder true growth and empowerment.

Here are 12 common culprits that disguise as comfort
↳ but are really time wasters:

1. Lack of Priorities.
→ Without clear priorities, everything seems important,
↳ l…Read More

4 Most Common CFO Personalities

CFOs play diverse roles in driving business success.

Here are the four most common CFO personalities
Each with unique strengths and challenges.

1. Catalyst
Drives change and innovation, focusing on business transformation and process improvements

Strengths: Highly innovative, forward-thinking, and an…Read More

The 80/20 Rule

Steal this cheat sheet to achieve more with less effort!

This 1 simple trick can help you get 80% more done.

➡️ Introducing: The 80/20 Productivity Cheat Sheet.

This guide contains 30 real-world examples of the
Pareto Principle in action.

See how the 80/20 rule can help you and your team
accomplish more by doing…Read More

Leadership challenges don’t have to derail you.

Smart leaders know it’s not about avoiding problems.

It’s about navigating them strategically.

Here’s your roadmap through tough times:

1. Listen First, Then Lead
↳ Talk to your team before deciding
↳ Their insights light the path forward
↳ Turn feedback into focused action

2. Maste…Read More

Master Continuous Improvement to keep your business ahead in 2025.

Go from zero to pro through the Kaizen way.

Here is an acronym that captures the essence of Kaizen:

K – Knowledge
➟ Continuous learning and skill development

A – Adaptability
➟ Embracing change and flexibility

I – Incremental Changes
➟ Making small, consi…Read More

Speak Like a Great Manager

How to be a great manager isn’t a mystery –

It’s a skill anyone can learn.

But too much management advice focuses on what NOT to do:
↳Don’t micromanage
↳Don’t blame others
↳Don’t choose favorites

To be more helpful, we should discuss what TO do.

Great managers use these 19 phrases,

And you can put t…Read More

Your title doesn’t make you a leader.

How you choose to communicate with your employees does.

Stop speaking like a boss and start communicating like a leader.
By using these 30 leadership language shifts:

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲.
❌ Sorry for the delay.
✅ Thank you for your patience.

𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.
❌ What…Read More

How to Restart Yourself: A Step-by-Step Guide

Feeling stuck and apathetic?

I know that feeling all too well:

↳ Work is fine, but motivation is nowhere to be found.
↳ You don’t feel like you’re growing in life or in your career.
↳ You’re going through the motions, but something’s missing.

That’s a sign — it’s time for a reset.

You…Read More

How to Master Your Body Language

Your body language could undermine your reputation.

This is how to fix it:

The way you stand.
The way you move your hands.
And even the way you make eye contact.

It can make or break your message.

Here’s how you can master your body language:

→ On camera:

Make eye contact with the c…Read More

Four Toxic Personalities to Avoid in Strategy Meetings

You know them: colleagues in a meeting who don’t really add anything. Or worse, who disturb your meeting through their toxic presence. Avoid these four types.

My general attitude toward people is very positive. I always assume people want the best, not just for themselves but also for o…Read More

4 Levels of Strategy

I’ve helped 250+ companies with their strategies.

Here’s a concept you can’t ignore:

Did you know there are several levels of strategy?

Corporate, business, functional, and operational.

Understanding these different levels is essential for every business leader.

Whether your business is large or small, the f…Read More