Journal

Notes on hard employee situations, fit, and misread signals

Essays for founders, managers, and operators trying to understand what changed before they overreact, underreact, or misdiagnose the problem.

Apr 21, 2026

The Moment Before a Bad Decision

There’s a specific moment before a people decision where something feels off—but not clear. That’s where most costly mistakes are made.

Apr 20, 2026

The Misdiagnosis Trap

A strong employee slips—and the instinct is to label it performance. The real risk is misreading what actually changed.

Apr 19, 2026

“They Lost Motivation” Is Usually Wrong

When a strong employee’s energy drops, it’s rarely about motivation. The real issue is usually a hidden shift in role, expectations, or environment.