Reader:

(if you prefer the video version, click below)

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Morning Minute – 3.25.26

Investigate Before You Escalate

Ask before you act.

It’s easy to react.

An email comes in that doesn’t sit right.
A situation that feels off.
A decision that doesn’t make sense.

And before we know it—we escalate.

But strong leaders take a different approach:
They investigate before they escalate.

​Abraham Lincoln understood this well. When he was frustrated with his generals, he would write letters expressing exactly how he felt—direct, honest, sometimes harsh.

But he didn’t send them.

He paused. He reflected. He gathered more information.

Most of those letters were never delivered.

Now compare that to something many of us have seen.

Someone receives an email that feels critical. Without pausing, they hit “Reply All.”

They defend themselves. Clarify their position. Push back.

Only later do they realize—they misunderstood the original message.

Now the entire team has seen it.
The tone has shifted.
And what could have been a simple conversation becomes unnecessary tension.

Two situations. Two outcomes.

One paused. One reacted.

In our day-to-day work, we face these moments all the time:

• An email that feels unjustified—or even threatening​
• A conversation where the facts aren’t fully clear
• A quick decision that unintentionally makes things worse

Before you respond, ask:
Do I have all the facts?

Or simply—
Ask before you act.

Because when we investigate first:

• We make better decisions
• We protect relationships
• We avoid unnecessary escalation

As Governor “Big Jim” Folsom once said:
“If someone throws mud at you, wait until it dries… then flick it off.”

Not everything requires an immediate reaction.

If you’d like to explore ways to strengthen how your team communicates and responds, let’s connect.

And remember:
Information without transformation is wasted energy.

If you’d like to see this put into action, and/or use this for training, here’s today’s short video.

Investigate Before You Escalate

That is today’s Morning Minute.

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Even better, use this message and/or video as a discussion starter for any manager, senior leader, or organizational meeting.

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​WORK WITH ME NOT FOR ME: Larry's leadership and team building manual. Use the barcode below to preview.

Here are some recent Morning Minutes you may have missed with actionable ideas, useful instruction, and step-by-step methods to help you, your family, and/or your team to be more, do more, and achieve more.

​"Own Your Time - Stop Being Overwhelmed!" Its your time: Plan It, Review It; Take back your day! If you have been or are experiencing being overwhelmed, learn this simple process to manage your time as you manage your schedule. Discover this simple, effective time management system, plus Stephen Covey's decision framework for handling your To Do List!.

​"Who Are You Striving to Become?" Is who you are today, moving you closer to, or farther from, the person you want to be? Discover the 7 major attributes of winning leaders, coaches, and business owners. Learn how that those who possess these attributes can make the move from employee to employer. See how these apply to your successful career path.

​"Self Esteem vs Self Control!" Why feeling good and being good must work together for young adults to be more, do more, and achieve more. Discover how that self-esteem and self-control are different. Learn how they are both required and must work together for an individual to reach their his/her full potential.

​"Perfection or Direction: Which Will You Choose?" Success often depends on knowing when to Refine and when to Begin. There is a time for perfection and a time for direction. Discover several examples of the difference with George McClellan and Steve Jobs using perfection, and Ulysses Grant, Jeff Bezos, and George Patton using direction. Learn how that effective leaders use both in their pursuit of success. ​

​"How Great Leaders Inspire Real Cooperation!" Discover 3 leadership habits that build trust and accountability while stimulating future growth and growing future leaders. Learn how that Articulation, Collaboration, and Accountability communicate your desire for growth, strengthen your team, and create the future leaders you will need for organizational growth!

​"Your Phone - Ally or Enemy?" This is one of your most powerful tools - often used the wrong way. Encounter a common call coming to you where after you answer there is a 9 second delay and the caller says "Hello?" Learn some simple ways to strengthen your teams phone performance a) before they are hired b) during their initial training and c) via continuous improvement training after they start.

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Final thought:

Most of us are accustomed to instant everything: fast food, instant communication, and instant entertainment. Yes, we live in a hurry-up world.

However, farmers, construction workers, and bakers know that both progress and real success take time and effort. If you truly want tp get ahead in your occupation and in your personal life you must put in the time learning, practicing, and perfecting.

And remember, Success is never final! It requires continuous learning, practice and effort!

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May God bless you, your family, and your team!

Larry A. Bonorato 864-630-2625 lab@larryonlearning.com​

(published by the Bonorato Creative Group. LLC; all rights reserved)