Leading Thoughts for October 08, 2026

IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with:

I.

Ryushun Kusanagi on living in the now:

"Clinging to the past and using it as a reason to negate the present is a mental trap-a distraction from what truly matters, and a source of inner turmoil. Life is full of missteps and failures. What matters is how you respond to them. Don’t dwell on your mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t look back in regret. Don’t give in to pessimism. Instead, focus on the present, understand it correctly, and dedicate yourself to what you can do right now. Of course, if you’ve hurt someone, it’s important to acknowledge it and sincerely apologize. Doing this is part of taking responsibility. Embrace that moment and take the opportunity to start afresh."

Source: The Practice of Not Reacting

II.

John Maxwell on not taking sides:

"If you’re a leader and you allow yourself to get drawn into taking sides and working against other groups of people, you’re limiting your leadership. As leaders, we all need the people on the other side. Our side doesn’t have all the answers. Believing we do is arrogant. I’m not always right, and neither are you. And those on the “other side” are not always wrong. If you don’t listen to them, you’re shrinking your influence and limiting your impact. If you can’t work with people who disagree with you, you will never become the leader you could be. No one will ever convince me that you can choose only half of the people and get as much done as if you work to lead all the people."

Source: High Road Leadership: Bringing People Together in a World That Divides

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Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index.

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Posted by Michael McKinney at 11:02 AM
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