David Martin & Company

Work Smarter. Dream Bigger.

First, I lost my cool. Then, I lost my power.

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Today, I’m re-sharing one of my most popular posts. With just a couple of edits, it seems highly fitting for these COVID19 times. 

If you are feeling any additional stress these days, this could be very useful….I hope you’ll share this with the people you care about.

A few years ago, I witnessed a dear friend (let’s call him Todd) living through the most difficult experience of his life. Over many months, his situation got so bad it seemed almost inescapable to him. The challenges he faced would make even the toughest among us blanch.…[Continue Reading]

What’s the leadership equivalent of don’t touch your face?

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Things can go from hopeful to hateful in no time.
You’ve been watching it unfold in front of you. It just takes one person to show they’re anxious, to worry out loud, to take a hard line, or to lose their cool.

When they do, it’s easy for others to join them in a downward spiral. You’ve probably been on both sides of this lately. So have I.…[Continue Reading]

Leading through chaos — from someone I trust deeply

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve felt the emotional temperature of the world elevating daily. In the US, things have changed rapidly in the past 10 days. I’ve definitely been grabbed by my own emotions a few times.

What are you doing to stay at your best? Are you comfortable leading through change of this unprecedented speed and magnitude?…[Continue Reading]

Kate is guaranteed a life-changing outcome if she endures this. So are you.

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There she stood, exposed like few humans ever are.
On September 16, Kate Flannery was of the 12 contestants who began Dancing with the Stars latest season. Kate, best known as Meredith from The Office, is a friend of Brenda’s and mine, so we’ve been lucky to witness her experience up close.

Kate’s previous dance experience is mostly at wedding receptions. Yet, with 8 MILLION people watching on live TV and with only a few weeks of dance lessons under her belt, she stood ready to dance a very intricate cha-cha routine on an enormous ballroom stage. 8 million self-appointed dance experts waited, ready to judge her.

To add to the pressure, three professional dance judges would evaluate her dancing while the entire audience listened in. And one of those judges is known for crushing people with extremely harsh, critical feedback.…[Continue Reading]

A 7-year old’s generosity sparked a national movement. What could yours do?

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Spark 1: A young boy’s generous gift to his dad.
Brayden was seven years old in 2009 when his dad, Scott, was deployed for the 8th time in Brayden’s life and his third time to Afghanistan. Scott was a Green Beret, and Brayden was (naturally) fearful for his dad’s safety.

Anyone would be fearful.
But Brayden did something NOT just anyone would do…something generous. As his dad was preparing to deploy, Brayden gave him his treasured “magic silly band” bracelet with the instructions, “Don’t take it off, okay Dad? It’ll keep you safe.”…[Continue Reading]

Leadership 201: He didn’t hate the dog. It just wasn’t his.

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Underdogs: sometimes it’s not just a metaphor.
A few weeks ago, our dog, Lulu, got puppy-shamed…if there is such a thing. Don’t worry. She’s still as joyful as ever.

But the incident actually says as much about the leaders around you (and about you) as it says about dogs. It serves as a humorous but cautionary tale of how we unintentionally squelch each others’ voices. This one’s not immediately obvious, so it’s a 201 level idea.

Understanding what happened to Lulu will help you better take life by the leash and build your leadership pedigree. (Sorry, but when a puppy pun presents itself, you have to grab it by the collar.)…[Continue Reading]

First, I lost my cool. Then, I lost my power.

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A few years ago, I witnessed a dear friend (let’s call him Todd) living through the most difficult experience of his life. Over many months, his situation got so bad it seemed almost inescapable to him. The challenges he faced would make even the toughest among us blanch.

At one point, he was ready to just check out, not in a healthy way. Standing in his shoes, I could understand why.…[Continue Reading]

5 rules to prevent your “big next” from becoming a big mess.

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The recent launch of my new book, Free the Genius, was a tutorial for me in how to stretch beyond old limits to my own “big next.”

If you’re building something new and different, let these universal rules-of-the-road help you stay on track and in motion.

What is a “big next”? It’s that idea, dream, or contribution that you must bring to life. It may feel impractical and difficult to achieve . . . yet, it won’t leave you alone until you begin. It’s your big next.

Here are five principles I just learned and re-learned that you can apply to bring your big next to life:…[Continue Reading]

This virtuoso gave a better answer than my question warranted. So worth it!

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I had the chance to have a brief conversation with celebrated, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Ron Chernow, recently.

While we spoke, he made a comment that rang a bell in my head that will no doubt be valuable for you, too, if you intend to make a meaningful impact in your world.

He’s a true virtuoso.
Chernow is best known for writing the book, Hamilton but every book he writes is an award winner. Chernow’s biography, Hamilton, inspired Lin Manuel-Miranda to write the earth-shaking musical of the same title.…[Continue Reading]

If a client tells you they’re going crazy, should you call 911?

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Mel asked me to meet him for a drink at an out-of-the-way dive bar. He wanted to talk away from the office where people wouldn’t overhear us.

After a quick hello, he jumped right into why he wanted to talk.

“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“Do you think I’m losing it? I’m beginning to think I must be crazy.”…[Continue Reading]