Context Matters
We all know leaders who misread the room because they ignored the context.
That leader may have been you.
The result? Broken trust, missed opportunities, and relational fallout.
The same principle that makes our Camp Curry (Yosemite Valley) pizza the absolute best in the world applies to people leadership.
Context matters.
Yes, the pizza is amazing. But after 10–15 miles of hiking and a full 24 hours of reunion with lifelong friends, it becomes extraordinary. It is the surrounding experience that elevates it to legendary status.
Context matters.
This shortfall shows up in politics as well. We hear it all the time in tense debates: “Just give me a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.”
It sounds decisive, but it’s just a trap. Most real issues are layered, complex, and deserve more than a binary response. Stripping away context oversimplifies reality and weaponizes clarity against the very people trying to lead.
If this is true for pizza and politics, it is also true for the people we employ.
Context matters.
Performance without perspective is incomplete. A team member may miss a deadline – but was it neglect, or was it the weight of hidden personal burdens?
Clarity without compassion breeds distance. Quick, black-and-white judgments may feel efficient, but they miss the nuance of someone’s lived reality.
Trust without curiosity cannot grow. Taking time to ask, “What else might be going on here?” shows that you value the person beyond their output.
Leaders who honor context do not excuse poor performance; they interpret it wisely. They do not lower standards; they tailor accountability with both truth and grace.
When leaders account for context, teams experience:
Stronger trust – People know they will be heard, not dismissed.
Greater loyalty – Employees lean into leaders who care about the whole person.
Healthier culture – The organization becomes a place where compassion and clarity coexist.
As Simon Sinek reminds us, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”
Taking care requires seeing people in their full context – their pressures, their stories, and their humanity.
So whether it is Pizza, Politics, or People, never forget…
Context matters.
Blessings to you, my friends!
==========
This Week’s Resource Recommendation:
"Emotional Intelligence 2.0"
- Dr. Travis Bradberry & Dr. Jean Greaves
From Amazon: Times change. Emotions don't. In a noisy world full of quick fixes, one skill remains your strongest edge: emotional intelligence (EQ). Emotional Intelligence 2.0 has set the standard — not just as a bestseller, but as the foundational guide trusted by millions to unlock their potential and achieve lasting success — at work and in life.
Backed by research and trusted by Fortune 500 companies, Emotional Intelligence 2.0 has helped millions build the skills that matter most. Why? Because 90% of top performers have high EQ, and EQ is the single biggest predictor of performance.
Fully updated in 2021, this edition reflects the latest research in emotional intelligence and real-world strategies for success.
This book provides a proven, practical approach to increasing EQ using 66 time-tested strategies across the four core EQ skills:
1. Self-Awareness
2. Self-Management
3. Social Awareness
4. Relationship Management
Includes the #1 EQ Assessment Tool
Each copy includes a unique passcode to access the Emotional Intelligence Appraisal®:
Scientifically validated, taken by over 3 million people
Provides your EQ scores across the four core skills and guidance on which chapters to focus on for targeted improvement
Includes an online development plan and video-based lessons to extend the learning
A free retest to measure your progress
MMS 25-35
I would love to send our Monday Morning Stretch directly to you via email and would consider it an honor to serve you in this way. To register, please take 30 seconds to give us permission to do so below.
