What are the chronic, repetitive problems? When you hear things like: “Oh that’s always been a problem here,” or “that’s just the way it is in our business,” or “that’s par for the course in this company,” one has to question whether there is a real commitment to learning and innovation. I see repeat problems in organizations as an indication that leaders are either unwilling, or incapable, of changing things for the better.

Those of us in formal leadership roles have a unique privilege to deeply care about the people around us, which includes challenging them to grow. We have the opportunity to add a few more lines on that tombstone. With you and me as leaders, what will they be about?