Stuck In The Mud
![A leadership cartoon of a penguin in a tar pit is trying to dig themself out with a spade and is getting more stuck while saying, "No thank you, I can dig myself out". Another penguin outside the tarpit leans forward trying to help. -Original artwork byLeeSampson.](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Stuck-in-the-mud-1024x1024.png)
Some situations are so sticky the more you try to dig yourself out of them, the higher the probability of becoming more stuck.
Life Can Feel Quite Hard Sometimes
![A leadership cartoon of three penguins standing in front of a giant, hard, reflective statue that spells, "LIFE". One penguin knocking on the hard surface says to the others, "Is it just me, or is this quite hard?". The text reads, "It's not just you." -Original artwork by Lee Sampson.](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Life-is-hard-1024x1024.png)
Admitting that life can be hard at times isn’t a weakness, it’s a fact. It’s not a hurdle to jump over, it’s a chance to do what social creatures do best, help each other.
How Leaders Can Help Individuals Share Their Good Work.
![A leadership cartoon of a penguin holding a trumpet trying to blow it while being overshadowed by an elephant who is blowing their tunk much louder. The text reads, "Being able to blow your own trumpet doesn't come easily to everyone." -Original artwork by Lee Sampson.](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Blow-your-trumpet-1024x1024.png)
For many, feeling comfortable highlighting our achievements is like learning to play a literal trumpet.
Leadership Skills For Uniting Diverse Thinking
![A Leadership Cartoon about Self Development. A penguin in a bookshop wearing a staff badge asks another penguin, "Can I help you?". The other penguin is standing in front of a bookshelf that has "SELF-HELP SECTION " written on it with a pile of books around them and replies, "I can't seem to find the one, specifically about me?". The text reads, "We are all the same, but different." -Original artwork by Lee Sampson.](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Self-Help-Book-With-My-Name-1024x1024.png)
Having a one-size-fits-all leadership approach to learning, personal development, coaching, and conversations will likely leave you falling short of bringing out the best of every individual.
Genuine Smiles Change The Flavour
![A penguin is drinking from a coffee mug that has work written on it while saying, "It tastes bitter". Another penguin is offering up a teaspoon with a smiley face on it and says, "Would you like more smiles in it?". The text reads, "Genuine smiles change the flavour". -Original artwork by Lee Sampson.](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/How-does-it-Taste-1024x1024.png)
Work feels different when genuine smiles are being shared around the room.
Self Belief
![A scene of penguins at a pool with a three-tiered diving board and penguins in various stages of taking the first step to jump into the pool, which has Self Belief written on it. The text reads, "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.-Henry Ford." -Original artwork by Lee Sampson](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Quote-Henry-Ford-Whether-you-think-you-can-1024x1024.png)
One of the influences on self-belief is the thoughts and labels we give ourselves.
Hide and Overthink
![A giant Earth asks a penguin hiding under a blanket that has "What If'd" written on it, "Are you hiding?". The penguin replies, "No. I'm just spending some quality time with my 'What ifs'." The text reads, "Hide and overthink". -Original artwork by Lee Sampspn](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Hide-and-Seek-from-the-World-2400-1024x1024.jpg)
Shyness and introversion in a team member can feel like a game of hide and seek to their manager or peers.
Quiet Up There
![A penguin with their head open asks four mini-penguins floating around on thought bubbles with megaphones who are yelling at each other "I'm going to ask you to please return to your seats and refrain from arguing with each other. I'm trying to think." -Original artwork by Lee Sampson.](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Quiet-Up-There-Im-Trying-To-Think-1024x1024.png)
It is a challenge to concentrate when you’re thoughts are at odds with each other.
Visual Management and Ranking the Team
![A penguin is telling another penguin who is holding a clipboard and pen that they need to, "We need you to rate these letters in order of importance.". The letters in the background spell out the word "TEAM". -Original artwork by Lee Sampson.](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Rank-the-team-1024x1024.png)
We love to label, rate and rank.
The Next Step Matters
![A penguin walks with nothing but their footprints left behind and comes to the edge of a cliff. The text reads, "You can't change where you've been. But you can change where you are heading."-Original artwork by Lee Sampson.](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Its-the-next-step-that-matters-24000-1024x1024.jpg)
You can’t change where you’ve been. But you can change where you are heading.
The Indecision Dilemma
![](https://byleesampson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/indecision-1-1024x1024.png)
When you can’t choose between A or B you end up in C.