Beyond the Told

by Dr. David M Robertson

Category: Leadership

Leadership ideas and considerations

Platitudes Don’t Create Leaders

In my opinion, leadership is one of the most discussed and misunderstood topics in modern discourse. Every day, social media platforms seem to be flooded with well-meaning but ultimately superficial slogans and oversimplified advice claiming to unlock the secrets of great leadership. “A leader serves first,” “Put others before all else – including yourself,” or […]

Why Impostor Syndrome Might Be Awesome

Charles Darwin once said, “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.” In other words, people who know little often appear more confident than those who are more informed. This observation connects with two important psychological phenomena: the Dunning-Kruger Effect and impostor syndrome. I find this particularly interesting because most would likely suggest that both […]

Empowerment vs. Safe Spaces

If you had to choose one, which would you rather be: Empowered or Safe? In recent years, the call for “safe spaces” has grown louder in workplaces, schools, and social environments alike. Sure, on the surface, a safe space sounds nice—a place where individuals can feel shielded from harm or distress, both physical and emotional. […]

The Puzzle of Personal Vision

If you want to find purpose and direction in life, it’s crucial to start with a deep understanding of yourself. This is a big part of ‘personal leadership.’ I liken this process to assembling a puzzle, where each piece represents a part of who you are and what you aim to achieve. Finding your purpose […]

Perception, Perspective, and Accuracy

Do we want to be ‘right,’ or do we want to be ‘accurate?’ We now live in a world where information flows relentlessly from countless sources, which also means that the way we process and evaluate this information is crucial. Unfortunately, most ‘feel’ the information they consume. Very few analyze that information through a critical […]

Leadership Lessons from the Middle East

In leadership, the ability to make informed decisions is crucial, as the repercussions of those decisions can ripple across generations. The ongoing challenges in the Middle East are a great example of what happens when leaders act without fully understanding the complexities of the situations they face. I would argue that the turmoil in this […]

When Empathy Inadvertantly Becomes Sabotage

It seems that there has been an alarming and growing trend to emphasize perception-driven approaches, emotional responses, and leadership models such as servant leadership, which typically prioritize empathy and emotion over strategic foresight and critical analysis. While these methods appear well-intentioned, focusing on emotional connectivity, their overuse can literally sabotage long-term goals, organizational efficiency, and […]

The Value of Contrasting Information

Information is both abundant and easily accessible. Hence, the concept of “thinking for yourself” has gained new importance. Yet, at the same time, this idea is often misunderstood. Many people equate thinking independently with rejecting or avoiding information that doesn’t align with their existing beliefs. However, I would argue that true independent thinking requires engaging […]

Ghosting, Follow-Through, and Leadership

In my many years as a leadership strategist, I have found that two things can destroy a leader’s credibility faster than you can say “promotion denied.” These two cardinal sins are ghosting and a lack of follow-through. These leadership don’ts can significantly tarnish how others see you and are central to whether anyone can or […]

Epistemic Rigidity in Law Enforcement

Officers in law enforcement and security often face complex and rapidly evolving situations requiring up-to-date knowledge and flexible thinking. However, like many professionals, law enforcement officers can fall prey to cognitive biases that make it difficult to update their knowledge and practices. This phenomenon, known as Epistemic Rigidity, can significantly impact their effectiveness, adherence to […]