The Mike Horne Blog

Years ago, an executive who thought he was about to lose his job asked me what to do. We talked about it on a walk across a corporate campus rather than in a conference room, and I've been thinking about why that mattered. This piece is about the conversations that happen after the meeting ends, when someone lingers and says, "Do you have a minute?" We spend a great deal of effort making meetings better. Maybe the meeting was never the problem.

A dream about getting lost in a familiar city becomes a reflection on leadership, direction, and the difference between losing knowledge and temporarily losing access to it. The article explores how clarity can come from unexpected people and reminds us that losing our bearings does not mean we have lost our destination.

Leaders often ask for honest feedback, but the real test comes after the conversation ends. When a comment disappears without explanation, people learn that the invitation was symbolic, and they start editing what they say next time. This piece looks at what it takes to give candor a real place to land, and why the quality of feedback in any organization depends on what happens after someone speaks up.