Today, on Easter, we remember a truth more profound than myth or metaphor: that God has not abandoned us to the chaos of this world. He walks among His people—still writing, still weaving, still working through every story, even the ones we do not yet understand. Every one of us carries a story—some joyful, some […]
Author: Marc Ragsdale
Outcome-driven leadership: the first true leadership OS
If you’ve ever led a team, you know the problem. Everyone is working, things feel busy—but something’s off. Updates are scattered. Priorities shift midweek. People ask for help too late or don’t ask at all. And by the time you realize a project is off-track, it’s already costing you. That’s not a personnel problem. That’s […]
Men are accountable, and we have failed
In this piece, I reckon with a lifetime of observing societal decay as a man embedded in the chaos, building frameworks like to restore order. Yet beneath all the philosophy and innovation, I uncover a deeper and more personal crisis—the failure of modern manhood to guard the gates of culture, family, and morality. I accept […]
Before she talks to the snake: a man’s duty in a confused age
In this piece, I confront the slow unraveling of our culture by tracing it back to a spiritual root as old as Eden. I reflect on how confusion enters through vulnerability, not out of malice, but out of a failure in protection—especially from men who were meant to guard the gates. I challenge the modern […]
The challenge of employing high earners in emerging economies: a tax culture clash
I’ve been building my company across borders since 2010 and have encountered a persistent challenge when hiring high-income earners in emerging markets like India. It has nothing to do with talent or capability—some of the smartest, hardest-working people I’ve worked with are in these markets. But there’s a recurring friction point that I feel compelled […]
The importance of social accounting
There’s a form of invisible social accounting that governs the behavior of people with a refined sense of awareness. It’s not written down or formally taught, but it’s deeply felt by those who carry it. In this unspoken system, people instinctively recognize when the balance between giving and receiving tips too far in their favor. […]
If you can’t teach your replacement, you don’t know it
At every company I’ve led, I’ve enforced a deceptively simple rule: If you can’t teach someone else how to do your job, then you don’t really know your job. This isn’t just a philosophy—it’s an operational requirement. Every time I spend time doing something—solving a problem, setting up a workflow, handling an edge case—I treat […]
Fast value: the first test of a new hire
One of the first things I assess when bringing someone onto my team is: How quickly do they deliver value? In a fast-moving company, there isn’t time for prolonged ramp-up periods with no impact. Every hire, regardless of their role, needs to demonstrate their ability to contribute meaningfully—and fast. If someone takes too long to […]
The workplace and the illusion of care: where does wellbeing fit?
At some point in life, most of us come to a realization—one that is both sobering and liberating: most people don’t really care about everything we are going through. Not because people are cruel, but because they are consumed with their own lives. The modern workplace, however, is experiencing a cultural shift that pushes against […]
The lazy manager’s guide to developing strong individual contributors
The best way to manage strong individual contributors (ICs) is simple: hire self-sufficient people, set SMART goals, and let them execute. When they fail, ask why—if they take ownership and adjust, they’re coachable. If they blame external factors and offer no solutions, cut them loose. Micromanagement is unnecessary; accountability and autonomy drive results. This cycle—hire, […]