Don’t believe everything you think. Especially when your next business decision depends on it.

Ever driven to work and realized you don’t remember getting there? Our thinking can run on autopilot, too—following familiar assumptions straight to conclusions we never stop to question.

In this episode, Bert Copple explores Crystal Pepsi, New Coke, and the everyday decisions that get leaders trapped inside their own thinking. With humor and practical examples, he applies the TAR Principle—Thoughts, Actions, Results—to show why better decisions begin with a clear destination and a willingness to challenge the route.

You’ll explore:

• Why a familiar thought isn’t necessarily a true one.
• How our experiences and assumptions shape what we see.
• The difference between inviting honest input and expecting agreement.
• Why customer excitement and lasting demand aren’t the same thing.
• How to challenge your thinking before committing to a decision.

This week’s challenge: Write down the result you want. Finish the sentence, “I believe this will work because…” Then ask someone with a different perspective, “Help me see what I might be missing.”

Explore more at bertcopple.com.

You can measure someone’s performance. You don’t get to determine their worth.

In this episode of The Copple Leadership Podcast, Bert Copple uses a quarter—and what happens when it falls through a storm drain—to explore a truth every leader needs to remember: circumstances can change without someone’s value changing.

Through the story of Gloria, a trusted caregiver whose unexpected mistakes had an overlooked cause, Bert challenges business owners and managers to see the person behind the performance report.

Drawing on Isaiah 58:6–7, he explores how faith becomes visible in everyday leadership decisions—and why compassion and accountability belong together.

You’ll discover:

• Why KPIs should prompt questions rather than define people.
• How curiosity can uncover obstacles that correction alone won’t solve.
• What it means to hold people accountable while preserving their dignity.
• A simple quarter-sized reminder to bring into your next difficult conversation.

This week’s challenge: Choose one person you’ve started seeing as a problem. Ask, “Help me understand what’s getting in the way.” Then listen—and follow through.

Learn more at https://bertcopple.com.