Reader:

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Morning Minute 2.27.26

Under Extreme Pressure – How Will You Respond?​
​Same Pressure. Different Posture. Different Results.

In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico.

Eleven men lost their lives.
Millions of barrels of oil poured into the ocean.
And the world watched closely - not just the disaster, but the leadership.

​Tony Hayward, then CEO of BP, became the public face of the response.

Early messaging emphasized shared responsibility among contractors. Public statements attempted to clarify liability/blame. At one point, Hayward remarked, “I’d like my life back.”

Whether intended or not, the tone felt defensive.

The narrative shifted from operational failure…to leadership failure.

Trust eroded.

Now - rewind to 1982.

Seven people in Chicago died after taking cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules.

​James Burke, CEO of Johnson & Johnson, faced a crisis he did not create. The tampering happened outside company facilities.

He could have blamed a criminal. And technically, he would have been right.

Instead, Burke acted.

He pulled 31 million bottles off shelves nationwide.
He halted production.
He absorbed more than $100 million in losses.
He communicated openly and frequently.
He anchored every decision in the company’s Credo: "Putting consumer safety first!"

He didn’t ask, “Who’s at fault?”

He asked, “What is our responsibility?”

Same pressure.
Different posture.
Different results.

Blame asks:
How do we protect ourselves?

Responsibility asks:
​How do we protect the people we serve?

Blame may reduce short-term pressure.
Responsibility builds long-term trust.

In families, blame creates distance.
In teams, blame creates fear.
In organizations, blame creates hesitation.

Responsibility creates movement.

You may not control the crisis.
But you always control your posture.

And posture, under pressure, defines legacy.

The question is never simply, “Who caused this?”

The better question is, “How will I respond?”

Larry B.

That is today’s Morning Minute.

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Please feel free to share this message with anyone who made be helped by its contents. Even better, you may use this message and/or video as a discussion starter for any manager, senior leader, or organizational meeting.

As always, your comments, your questions, and your observations are greatly appreciated! I may be reached at ​lab@larryonlearning.com​, 864-630-2625 or by responding via direct message on social media.

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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.

​"The RETURN of RESPONSIBILITY!" Are we witnessing a shift in the next generation? Discover how that they are slowly moving away from entitlement and self promotion to lives of service, responsibility, and discipline. Learn how that we, as adults, may effectively support their effort to improve by listening, setting a positive example, plus praying for and with them.

​"The WARNING That Precludes Judgement!" Discover how that both Egypt and Rome incorrectly thought that their power and influence would last forever. Learn the danger in how that much of the culture, beliefs, and morality of the American people and our institutions are following the same path that led to the downfall of both the Egyptian and Roman empires.

​"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!

​"Punctuality: The Habit That Creates BIG Advantages!" Why being punctual and showing up early builds trust and credibility, while creating hidden opportunities! Discover how that the father of our exchange student explained to him the importance and advantages of showing up early. Learn the 4 benefits you earn by being punctual. (The last benefit is one that no one ever discusses!)

​"When Do You Handle Insubordination?" You can handle the problem of employee insubordination immediately when it happens. Or, you can avoid it by addressing it during the hiring process, during onboarding the new team member, or by noticing how it begins, before the actual direct defiance becomes a poison to your culture, to your authority, or to your teamwork. This video explains your options.

​"Master Your Emotions for a Successful Life!" By controlling your emotions you create resilience and set yourself on a course toward a more purposeful life. Discover the 6 emotions of anger, fear, joy, envy, hate, and love. Learn specifically how to react to these emotions and use them to improve your relationships, your life, and your success. See how that managing your emotions stets you up for a successful life.

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

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

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