Why resolutions fail (and an internal shift that works)

Happy New Year.

As we step into 2026, the temptation is to look outward. We set goals for our teams, we plan strategies for our markets, and we resolve to "fix" the external problems that plagued us last year.

But I wrote The Zero-Sum Illusion because I have observed a consistent truth: the most persistent challenges, and the biggest barriers to growth, are rarely the ones outside our window. They are the ones in the mirror.

We often view leadership as a game of chess against an external opponent. But before you can navigate a high-stakes negotiation or lead a divided team, you have to navigate your own internal operating system.

A "Zero-Sum" Trap in Your Head

The Zero-Sum Illusion isn't just something that happens between nations or companies. It sometimes happens inside us.

We tend to treat our values as a trade-off. We tell ourselves, for example: I can deliver profit, OR I can show care. I can be strong, OR I can be compassionate. This is the Zero-Sum Illusion turned inward.

We assume that for one part of our values to be lived, the other must be sacrificed.

If you are starting this year feeling like you have to choose between results and relationships, I want to invite you to a different conversation.

Join us this Tuesday: The Inside Job

On Tuesday, 6 January, I am hosting a live session with author Yash Chitale (A Poet in the Workplace).

We are going to discuss why the most important strategic move you can make in 2026 is an internal one. We will explore:

• Why you cannot master the external game until you upgrade your internal OS.
• How to find rhythm amidst workplace chaos.

When: Tuesday, 6 January at 16:00 GMT / 11:00 EST / 08:00 PST

Sign up to join us here:

• ​LinkedIn (click on Attend to sign up)
• ​YouTube (click on Notify Me)

The Presale Campaign Ends Soon

Finally, a quick reminder that the "Bridge-Builder" presale campaign for The Zero-Sum Illusion closes in just over a week.

If you want the signed, embossed first edition, the launch party invite, and your name printed in the acknowledgements, this is the time to join us.

Pre-order The Zero-Sum Illusion

Let’s make this a year of expansion, not just survival.

Warmly,

Grant

P.S. If you cannot make the live session on Tuesday, please register anyway to receive the recording.

Holiday Reading (The Archive)

If you find yourself with some quiet time over the break and want to catch up on the ideas behind the book, here are some recent editions. :

What I saw when the world expected violenceI used to be proud of this connectionUnlock Your Leadership PotentialIt's live: Become a Bridge-BuilderWhy your brain needs you to receive thanks (not just give it)Why we get stuck (and how to get unstuck)Pre-order your copy of the book here

To chat about how these ideas apply to your own work or leadership, reply to this email. I’m booking 15-minute virtual coffees and would love to meet you. Book it directly in my calendar here.

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