by Gene Crawford | Aug 4, 2025 | Podcast
After earning a red card at a youth soccer game, Aaron and I reflect on emotional control, brutal honesty, and the power of self-censorship. Inspired by Jefferson Fisher and “Self-Censorship Is Actually Good,” we role-play ways to speak truth with empathy. From sideline chaos and parenting stress to stoic communication principles, this episode blends humor, humility, and hard-earned lessons. Learn to navigate social tension, say “no” with confidence, and speak wisely—especially when emotions run high.
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by Gene Crawford | Oct 7, 2024 | Podcast
Join us as we explore micromanagement in leadership, examining its causes, effects, and how to handle it. We question whether micromanaging stems from a need for control, sharing personal stories that show how anxiety over performance and pressure from higher management can contribute. We discuss its negative impact on creativity and respect, with examples from project management where excessive oversight hurt productivity. Through relatable scenarios like home remodeling,
we reflect on leadership, trust, and lessons from Jocko Willink’s Echelon Front, debating if trust must be earned from micromanaging leaders. We also consider the practicality of decentralized leadership and the responsibility to not enable micromanagement, challenging the idea of overcompensating for a controlling boss. The episode highlights the importance of communication, accountability, and trust, with personal stories emphasizing the benefits of autonomy and a trusting boss. We end with a humorous call for micromanagers to trust their teams—maybe even try a karate class to let go of control—and offer insights on improving leadership to create more respectful, effective work environments.
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