So there he was—frustrated, typing out a quick text to a soldier whose performance had slipped: “Get it together or we’ve got a problem.” He thought he was being direct. But what the soldier heard was something else entirely. This week’s Toolkit unpacks why the medium matters more than you think.

Grief and hope often walk together—especially on days like Memorial Day. In this week’s Toolkit, Matt reflects on loss, leadership and the power of the Hope Meter, a tool that helps you check in with yourself, lead through the lows and show up with purpose for those who count on you.

Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re lazy—it might mean you’re missing clarity. This week’s Toolkit breaks down the Change Equation, a simple tool to diagnose stalled momentum and reignite progress by aligning dissatisfaction, vision, and action into a force greater than resistance.

In a combat zone, clarity isn’t optional—it’s survival. The same is true in leadership. This week’s Toolkit shares the powerful framework Matt used in Afghanistan to stay focused under pressure—and how you can apply it to lead with calm, confidence, and control when the stakes are high.

A good leader brings energy. A great one brings clarity. When communication misses the mark, even well-meaning leaders can leave their teams feeling confused or unheard. This week’s Toolkit unpacks the five communication codes that create trust and cut through the noise.

Your team’s stuck—and you can feel it. Goals fall flat, energy’s low, and trust is shaky. But what if the problem isn’t the people, but the missing bridge between you? In this post, we unpack what it really takes to reconnect, rebuild trust, and move forward together.

Leadership isn’t about big swings—it’s about muscle memory. This week’s tool helps you build Tempo, Balance, and Focus into your daily rhythm so you lead with consistency under pressure. Learn how small, consistent reps build trust, presence, and performance.

Most leaders care—but support alone isn’t enough. The Leader Mindset helps you coach with clarity by asking: What support or challenge do they need? What’s holding them back? How can I help them grow? This simple shift transforms managers into leaders worth following.

If your team’s always waiting on you to decide, direct, or approve—there’s a good chance your leadership slider is stuck on control. But what if the real breakthrough comes from shifting that control, bit by bit, toward ownership? Let’s explore how small moves can lead to big impact.

Many leaders say they want collaboration, but their actions tell a different story. Fear of losing control, credibility, or influence can create hidden barriers that stifle creativity and ownership. The result? A disengaged team playing it safe. So how do you recognize when self-preservation is holding you back—and what can you do about it? Let’s break it down.