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Hi Reader, Welcome to Your Dose of Mana — a quick, weekly note with: If your biggest business challenges are actually people challenges, you’re in the right place. 1 Real Story I was out on a long walk the other day near NIH when I noticed a person ahead of me carrying one of those grabber poles and a plastic bag. As they walked, they casually picked up trash along the side of the road. No performance. Just quietly making the world a little better while getting their steps in. And I found myself oddly moved by it. It occurred to me that this was probably just part of who they are. One of the small ways they contribute to the world around them without needing recognition for it. It made me think about the different ways people try to leave things better than they found them. For almost 30 years, one of my things was raising guide dogs. These days, I think my thing is trying to create a little more kindness, clarity, and joy in the spaces I occupy because, frankly, the world feels like it could use more of all three. But watching that person pick up trash made me wonder: What if more of us approached life this way? Not waiting for huge opportunities to change the world. Because if enough people did that consistently, this place could become extraordinary. 1 Leadership Insight We often think leadership has to be big, visible, or attached to authority. But some of the most meaningful leadership happens in ordinary moments no one applauds. Leadership can look like:
None of those things requires a title. Just intention. The people who make the world better are often the ones doing small things consistently without needing credit for them. 1 Practical Takeaway What’s the thing you do that quietly makes your corner of the world a little better? Not the impressive thing. The human thing. And if you don’t have one yet, maybe this is your reminder to find it. Honestly, this one feels very aligned with the heart of the book we were just talking about. Everyday leadership. Observing ordinary humans doing quietly decent things while the rest of civilization argues on the internet about whether pineapple belongs on pizza like it’s a geopolitical crisis. 1 Dose of Art A little whimsy. A little joy. A little doodle.
Doodle by Gary Schechner, July 6, 2026 Even though this is technically a “mass email,” I genuinely love hearing from people. Reply, book a Zoom, pick up the phone. I’d love to catch up. If these pieces ever make you think, “I know someone who needs this,” I’m always grateful for thoughtful introductions and shares. Thanks for letting me show up in your inbox. More joy. Less friction. Always. |