Stacey Polk

Authenticity is not about being unfiltered. It's about staying true to your principles. The goal isn't to voice every opinion you hold. It's to stand up for ideas that are consistent with your ideals. Being genuine is closing the gap between what you value and what you express.

We carry too much guilt about letting others down—and too little fear of letting ourselves down. We don't fully control whether we live up to others' expectations. We do decide whether we meet our own. The most important commitments to uphold are the ones you make to yourself.

Feedback is not about sizing people up. It's about helping them grow. 78 studies: criticism is more motivating when you (a) meet face-to-face; (b) compare behavior to a standard, not to others; (c) suggest changes to make. People want to improve when it's clear that you care.

The true leader in a group is rarely the person who talks the most. It's usually the person who listens best. Listening is more than hearing what’s said. It’s noticing and surfacing what isn’t said. Inviting dissenting views and amplifying quiet voices are acts of leadership.

A sign of character is focusing more on how you treat others than how they treat you. Narcissists feel entitled to get respect. They aim to be the most important person in every room. Humble people strive to show respect. They aim to make everyone in the room feel important.

Feeling unsteady is not a sign of instability. It's often a path to progress. Standing still feels secure, but gaining momentum to move forward requires tilt or sway. Walking is controlled falling. Being in equilibrium breeds comfort. Feeling off balance leads to growth.