In praise of the thoughtful middle

When it comes to leadership, aiming for the extremes - 0 or 100 - is rarely effective.

Take "attention to detail" as an example.

A zero means overlooking critical elements, while a 100 means risking analysis paralysis.

Sure, sometimes 100% is required, but in day-to-day life, often not.

The sweet spot? Perhaps somewhere around 70, where leaders stay sharp on key details without getting bogged down.

It's the same with "being busy". Neither extreme benefits productivity; balance does.

Strive for a thoughtful middle, allowing enough engagement to drive progress without micromanaging.

In leadership, finding the ideal spot on the scale is the art of making impactful choices, not chasing perfection.

If you’d like some help as you seek the thoughtful middle, get in touch!

Until next week, take care of yourself and others

Madeleine

I help accomplished professionals untangle difficult career questions so they can thrive in work and life.

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