Kedron Rhodes

Lately, I’ve been mulling over that old adage: everything rises and falls on leadership. It doesn’t matter how brilliant your idea is — if leadership falters, momentum stalls. And leadership isn’t just for those with a fancy title; we all have a role to play in steering the ship, even if we’re not the ones officially holding the wheel. This week’s picks dig into what it means to lead well, especially when the path isn’t obvious. Also, make sure you catch the Jason Fried link at the end — pure, distilled wisdom.

Crucial Conversations: In the Heat of it – What to Keep in Mind When Dialogue Isn’t Easy 🧊 🔥

Handling tough conversations isn’t about following a script — it’s about showing up, staying present, and keeping the dialogue both real and respectful. In this continuation of their Crucial Conversations series, Atomic Object lays out practical ways to stay grounded when the stakes feel high and emotions run hotter. If you’ve ever walked into a meeting with a knot in your stomach, you’ll find some solid tools here for navigating the heat without losing your cool. It’s less about being perfect, more about being intentional. (Read More →)

🌟 A few more to sharpen your advantage…

• The Core Leadership Skills You Need in Every Role — No matter where you are on your career ladder, these four skills form the unshakable foundation of strong leadership. Build them early, refine them often.

• Everything Compounds — After 25 years of entrepreneurial highs and lows, David Cummings shares a simple but profound truth: every small action stacks up. The long game is everything.

🧠 These got me thinking…

• What we might become: a topology of sharing — Studio D offers a deeply reflective essay on how sharing — in public and with intention — can reshape not just our professional identities, but who we are becoming.

• Doing what you think, not what you thought — Jason Fried riffs on working without a rigid backlog and making decisions in real time. It’s a refreshingly honest look at trusting your instincts and moving forward without overengineering every choice.

👋 Signing-Off

Keep calm and carry on, indeed. Leadership — real leadership — often looks like staying steady when others waver, staying curious when answers feel scarce, and staying generous even when it’s tough. Hope something in this issue gives you that little extra advantage this week. Catch you soon!

P.S. Did you know that Holland, Michigan has a GIANT windmill from the Netherlands? Amelia and I recently discovered it for ourselves, and although we’re not Dutch, it feels special to have something like this so close to home!