“What If I’m Wrong About My Team?” The Leadership Question That Changes Everything

How a 3-minute team diagnostic revealed what 6 months of one-on-ones couldn’t, and transformed how one leader approaches team development Marcus had been leading his 8-person engineering team for two years. By all external measures, they were successful: projects delivered on time, clients satisfied, no major conflicts. But something felt... stuck. "We're good," he told his mentor during their monthly coffee. "Maybe even really good. But I keep feeling like we're operating at 70% capacity, and I can't figure out why." His mentor leaned back thoughtfully. "Marcus, here's a question that might sound simple, but answer honestly: What if you're…

Continue Reading“What If I’m Wrong About My Team?” The Leadership Question That Changes Everything

The Drift Zone: Ubuntu Without Direction

They're loyal. They're stable. They don't cause problems. And they're quietly limiting your team's potential. Welcome to the Drift Zone: levels 5-7 on the Human Potential Meter. The Hidden Danger These are often the people you like having around. They care about the team, follow directions, and seem stable. But here's what Ubuntu teaches us: caring about the collective without knowing how to contribute authentically creates a different kind of energy drain. The Three Drift Patterns Level 5 - The Task Follower: Shows up, does exactly what's asked, waits for the next instruction. They've learned to avoid responsibility by never…

Continue ReadingThe Drift Zone: Ubuntu Without Direction

From Ubuntu to Obuntuo: The Human Potential Compass

Yesterday, I shared how Ubuntu—"I am because we are"—could transform our approach to teams. Today, I want to show you what this looks like in practice. The Birth of Obuntuo After years of watching talented people struggle in misaligned roles, we asked: How do we translate Ubuntu's wisdom into something practical for today's workplace? The answer became Obuntuo: Ubuntu reimagined for the modern world of work. At its heart is a simple but powerful tool: the Human Potential Meter. Think of it as your compass for navigating both individual and collective potential. Beyond Measurement to Navigation Most assessment tools measure…

Continue ReadingFrom Ubuntu to Obuntuo: The Human Potential Compass