New roles don’t beat us—the voice in our head does. Quiet that enemy, and the ground gets steady.
Days 1–30 — Earn Permission. Show up curious. Learn names, maps, and pain points. On my first command, a senior sergeant said, “Know the people before the plan.” He was right. Ask, listen, take notes. Serve first.
Days 31–60 — Deliver Small Wins. Pick two fixes you can finish fast. Ship them. Momentum is character in motion—integrity + follow-through. I once inherited a messy report; a week of cleanup saved the team hours. Tiny win, big trust.
Days 61–90 — Multiply Trust. Share credit, teach what you’ve learned, and invite better ideas. Influence rises when others feel seen and stronger because you’re there.
Maxwell: title gives position; relationships grant permission; results create production. Myles Munroe: let purpose set priorities; choose an environment that grows you.
Call to Action (this week):
Three 15-min 1:1s to learn goals and headaches.
Draft a 90-day one-pager (purpose, people, problems, quick wins).
Ship one visible improvement by Friday.
Keep a “trust ledger”: promises made / kept.
Journal nightly: What I learned. Where I helped.
Receipts: why this 90-day plan works
Strong onboarding boosts retention by 82% and productivity by 70%.
When managers stay close in onboarding, employees are 3.4× likelier to rate it successful; “exceptional” onboarding doubles role-readiness and lifts job-fit 2.3×. (Gallup.com)
High-trust cultures see 50% higher productivity, 106% more energy, 76% more engagement, 74% less stress, and 13% fewer sick days—and employees are far more likely to stay.
Mentoring moves careers: mentees are promoted 5× more often; mentors 6× more; mentees more often see salary-grade gains. (MentorcliQ)
Reality check: about one-third of new hires don’t last 90 days—better onboarding cuts that churn. (Gallup.com)
You’ve got the tools. Walk the halls slowly, lift others loudly, let your work preach. The bush isn’t out there. It’s fear—already outmatched.
Reference:
Maxwell, J. C. (2011). The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential. Center Street.
Maxwell, J. C. (2020). The Leader’s Greatest Return: Attracting, Developing, and Multiplying Leaders. HarperCollins Leadership.
Maxwell, J. C. (2005/2011). The 360° Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization. Thomas Nelson.
Maxwell, J. C. (1998/2007). The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Thomas Nelson.
Munroe, M. (2008). In Charge: Finding the Leader Within You. FaithWords.
Munroe, M. (1992). Maximizing Your Potential. Destiny Image Publishers.
Munroe, M. (2014). The Power of Character in Leadership: How Values, Morals, Ethics, and Principles Affect Leaders. Whitaker House.
Researchers have identified a growing trend of employees experiencing negative behaviors in the workplace. A landmark study by Schat, Frone, and Kelloway in 2006 reported that 41.4% of U.S. workers, approximately 47 million individuals, encountered psychological antagonism at work over the past year. Similarly, a U.S. government survey of federal employees found that 13% witnessed negative workplace behaviors.
Studies have explored the relationship between work-related psychosocial hazards and psychological illness. Negative behaviors, such as manipulation, exploitation, bullying, degrading treatment, and harassment, have been extensively labeled and studied (Zapf & Einarsen, 2003).
Recent research highlights the link between negative behaviors and employee health. Bowling and Beehr (2006) found significant relationships between negative behaviors and symptoms like depression and anxiety. Additionally, Djurkovic et al. (2004) noted that workplace bullying indirectly contributes to ill health and increased employee turnover intentions.
These studies confirm that psychological workplace hazards and negative behaviors lead to high absenteeism and turnover rates. A study by the University of Copenhagen followed 2,154 healthcare workers over three years, revealing a strong correlation between negative work environments and high turnover rates. Key factors driving turnover included poor leadership, constant exposure to negative behaviors, and health problems (Hogh A, Hoel H, Caneiro IG, 2011b).
Updated References and Examples:
Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace Report (2023): This report highlights that only 20% of employees worldwide are engaged at work, with many citing negative workplace environments as a key factor.
Case Study: Google: Google has implemented robust employee support systems and open communication channels to combat negative workplace behaviors, resulting in higher employee satisfaction and lower turnover rates.
Meta-Analysis by Nielsen & Einarsen (2022): This study found that organizations with comprehensive anti-bullying policies saw a 30% reduction in reported negative behaviors.
Organizations facing these challenges experience reduced productivity, creativity, and work quality, impacting their competitiveness and ability to retain talent. Negative behaviors are costly and undermine organizational goals and success.
To address this, organizations should implement zero-tolerance policies for negative behaviors. Managers and leaders must actively monitor the work environment and maintain open communication channels. Senior managers should hold town hall meetings to gauge the work climate and remain approachable and non-judgmental.
In conclusion, negative workplace environments affect employees across sectors. Mitigating these environments can save organizations from costly medical expenses and reduce absenteeism. Swift action by upper management and leadership is crucial to addressing negative behaviors.
Further research is needed to understand the nature, causes, and consequences of negative workplace behaviors, such as aggression, and to develop effective policies and interventions to reduce such behaviors.
References:
Bowling, N. A., & Beehr, T. A. (2006). Workplace harassment from the victim’s perspective: A theoretical model and meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(5), 998-1012.
Djurkovic, N., McCormack, D., & Casimir, G. (2004). The physical and psychological effects of workplace bullying and their relationship to intention to leave: A test of the psychosomatic and disability hypotheses. International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, 7(4), 469-497.
Gallup. (2023). State of the Global Workplace Report. Gallup.
Hogh, A., Hoel, H., & Caneiro, I. G. (2011b). Bullying and employee turnover among healthcare workers: A three-year follow-up study. Journal of Nursing Management, 19(6), 742-751.
Nielsen, M. B., & Einarsen, S. V. (2022). What we know, what we do not know, and what we need to know about workplace bullying: An overview of the literature and agenda for future research. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 57, 101476.
Schat, A. C. H., Frone, M. R., & Kelloway, E. K. (2006). Prevalence of workplace aggression in the U.S. workforce: Findings from a national study. In E. K. Kelloway, J. Barling, & J. J. Hurrell Jr. (Eds.), Handbook of workplace violence (pp. 47-89). Sage Publications.
Zapf, D., & Einarsen, S. (2003). Individual antecedents of bullying: Victims and perpetrators. In S. Einarsen, H. Hoel, D. Zapf, & C. L. Cooper (Eds.), Bullying and emotional abuse in the workplace: International perspectives in research and practice (pp. 165-184). Taylor & Francis.
Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance or have any questions!
You might feel like you’re not enough, even after years of effort. Here’s the truth: every master was once a disaster. It’s not about feeling ready; it’s about stepping up, even when you don’t feel like it. Your worth isn’t diminished just because you can’t see it. Keep pushing; you’ve got this! Imposter syndrome? You’re not alone. Together, we’ll crush those doubts! These feelings of doubt and insecurity are common. Many people, even those in positions of authority or expertise, face imposter syndrome. It’s a constant battle in the mind, but remember, you can do this and deserve every opportunity that comes your way. Keep moving forward and prove yourself wrong. I used to doubt my writing skills, often feeling like a fraud within the literary world. But one day, I embraced the challenge and confronted my insecurities. With every word I wrote, I built confidence and silenced the voice of doubt in my head. I can proudly say that I have overcome imposter syndrome and found my place in the writing community.
Imposter syndrome can negatively affect one’s professional life, leading to self-doubt, lower productivity, and missed opportunities. It can hinder individuals from fully embracing their skills and accomplishments, causing them to hold back and remain within their comfort zones. However, by acknowledging and addressing imposter syndrome, individuals can break free and unlock their true potential. A powerful tool on this journey is self-reflection. By revisiting your achievements and recognizing your growth, you can begin to see the truth of your abilities. This resonates with my story, particularly when I climbed the military senior leadership ladder. With each new assignment, my mind bursts with self-doubt. Negative thoughts cloud my judgment, making me feel unworthy of my new role and questioning whether my subordinates are more capable than I am.
As a person of faith, I sought guidance from the Bible. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, the Apostle Paul faced similar struggles, encouraging us to replace negative thoughts with “Truth” and to win the battle for our minds. I replaced those negative thoughts with God’s truths—His words in the Bible that affirm positive aspects of my life. I consistently chant these prayers whenever fear and doubt arise. This practice has proven effective for me in overcoming self-doubt. It not only silences the negative thoughts in my mind, but it also strengthens positive beliefs and affirms my worth. By focusing on God’s truth and substituting doubts with faith, I have discovered strength and confidence in my abilities.
Are you ready to conquer imposter syndrome and unlock your true potential with faith by your side?
Here’s how to begin:
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings: Recognize when imposter syndrome hits.
2. Celebrate Your Successes: No win is too small. Celebrate them all!
3. Seek Support: Surround yourself with uplifting people.
4. Embrace Challenges: Step out of your comfort zone and grow.
5. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself on this journey.
6. Strengthen Your Faith: Turn to your faith and recite prayers for guidance and strength.
Let’s overcome those doubts together with faith as our shield! 💪🌟🙏shield! 💪🌟🙏
In my autobiography, I discussed five life-changing principles that have significantly shaped my life over the first sixty years. The first principle states, “Attitude can determine your altitude in life. It’s a determinant of success and ability.”
The core principles I have learned throughout my life, from my upbringing and later experiences, emphasize the importance of having the right attitude. This lesson was foundational during my childhood, and I have carried it with me throughout my life.
The key lesson instilled in me by my mother as a child was not just faith and belief in God but also in myself and my ability to achieve my goals through hard work and perseverance.
My openness and acceptance of the lessons my mother imparted made a remarkable difference in my success. In other words, it freed me from limiting beliefs and empowered me to reach my true potential in my endeavors. When I aspired to be a great musician, I was a shy kid who disliked performing in front of others. I knew I had to push past this hurdle in my life. So, I leaped forward and haven’t looked back since. Since then, I have played with numerous artists in both gospel and jazz music, including the famous Shirley Caesar, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, and the great Mary Lou Williams. I have performed in music studios and played in front of thousands with concert bands, all because I stopped letting my limiting beliefs hold me back. My attitude changed, and as a result, my trajectory shifted toward exponential growth opportunities.
Moreover, the core principle of my upbringing taught me the significance of the Law of Sowing and Reaping. This principle has influenced many areas of my life, and it would take a long time to cover them all.
What I will focus on is the basic premise of this law: that everything we do in life is a seed planted, both literally and figuratively. One day, we will reap what we have sown in equal measure. This understanding has instilled in me the importance of being mindful of my actions and recognizing how they will return to me.
Zig Ziglar said, “Your attitude determines your altitude.” The way we think and perceive the world is the first factor that influences our behavior and reflects the emotional and mental character of a person. With a positive attitude, we can resolve any type of problem and confront stressful conditions. An optimistic mindset can sustain us even during storms. Believing in God can transform our thinking. By maintaining a positive outlook, one can overcome any challenge. Changing our mindset can revolutionize our lives. Our attitude dictates our response to various situations. A positive attitude, combined with a positive mindset and prayer, can bring tremendous wonders into our lives.
Among this wisdom is the importance of maintaining a positive attitude in the face of hardships, as it determines not only how you deal with problems but also how you emerge from them. These lessons that I have learned did not come easily to me and required facing my battles for them to sink in.
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I remember one incident clearly when my mother’s lesson in faith and hard work first made a profound impression on me. It occurred around the age of twelve when a friend and I stole a bike and made our way home, only to find my mother waiting for us. At that moment, when I saw her standing there, I expected severe punishment and waited for the inevitable blow to fall. My mother, however, asked me a simple question: “If you really wanted a bike, why didn’t you ask for it?” That was a defining moment for me. Not only did I feel I had let my mom down by underestimating her love and sacrifice for me, but I also realized, over time, that I could have anything I wanted without resorting to stealing. Your attitude determines your behavior and your ability to navigate any situation. Your attitude encompasses your (1) Influences (2) Compass (3) Disposition (4) Attitudes, which expose your mental and emotional character.
At another moment in my life, this lesson of a positive attitude and perseverance was reinforced. It was a challenging period, and I emerged from it stronger because of these principles I learned early in life. At the age of twenty, I was let go from a job, still in my probationary period, where I had dreamed of one day becoming a top executive. I was charged with baseless accusations and terminated. Suddenly, I found my life crumbling around me. My dream was shattered; I had no job, and my future felt uncertain. It was at this moment that my faith and belief were tested, and had I not passed that test, I may well have ruined my future when an army recruiter called. If that day, I had let my emotions overwhelm me, this door might never have opened.
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What I have learned through these life experiences is that we must maintain the positive attitude required when facing adversity. This enemy in the bush, as you might say, can only be fought when we develop the proper attitude that serves as a compass during our darkest times. The way we perceive ourselves and our situations directly impacts the outcome. Just as it has helped me, I believe it can help every one of you to practice and uphold that positive attitude by focusing on positive thoughts, prayers, and scriptures to confront any challenge with strength, integrity, and will..ntegrity, and will.
The famous political economist and author Lester Thurow points out that in a competitive world, you have two possibilities: “You can lose, or if you want to win, you can change.” Once you develop a plan and put it into action, you’re not finished; your success lies within the journey. As you begin to walk towards success, you will come across obstacles and showstoppers that can impede your progress. This is expected; don’t be deterred.
In my book, “Enemy in the Bush”, I talk about success as a progressive (steady) realization of a worthy idea or goal. The key word is progressive, meaning (continuous, daily growth) towards goal attainment. It starts with planning, determination, and consistent daily efforts toward your destination, and along the way, success is realized. Along the way, mistakes and errors will be made, and setbacks will occur on your path. However, remember that failures are milestones on the success journey. “Each time you plan risk, fail, reevaluate, and adjust, you have another opportunity to begin again, only better than last.”
I heard a story about Thomas Edison. While he and his assistant were looking at his laboratory burned to the ground, he said, “Thank goodness all our mistakes were burned up; now we can start again fresh.” This reminds me of a quote from Les Brown, “when life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up.”
Give up on the notion of ever arriving at success unscathed or untouchable; success is always an uphill battle. I wish you much success in the New Year 2025!!!
