In June I started a blog/comments section for this newsletter. My vision was to create an online meeting place for leaders to share their thoughts and reactions to the newsletters I write. I thought it might be beneficial to everyone.

Before I created the comments section, I would at times be overwhelmed by the amount of responses to my newsletters each week. I found the responses valuable feedback and sometimes even profound. I figured having those thoughts shared with everyone for everyone would be a great idea.

A funny thing happened somewhere between that great idea and reality...

Responses have dwindled by fifty to seventy-five percent and, of those, more than half are still replying directly to me and don't go to the comments section at all. And the trend is not changing.

Hmm...

If you're thinking I'm writing this because I'm upset, that is not the case at all. The purpose of this newsletter is to benefit you in anyway it can. It's a tool of growth and the better it works for you, the better it works for me.

I've given this much thought.

I wondered when I started the comments section if confidentiality would be an issue. When you reply directly to me it stays between you and me. Your responses in a comments section could be seen by anyone-including your colleagues-at any time. That could make you hesitate.

Time, too, was a concern. I keep the newsletter brief because I know you only have so much time in a day. Do you have time to read the newsletter, comment on the blog and return to check out my or other people's responses? Maybe not.

Whatever the reasons, the comments section has not taken off and has actually withered responses to my newsletter. Your feedback is very important to me, and I want to make it as easy and safe to respond as possible.

So, showing the deft flexibility that a leader must show in the light of new information, I am nixing the comments section. Let's go back to commenting directly to me by simply replying to my newsletter.

Comment when you want. Let me know your thoughts when you are inspired to do so. I will do my best to respond to each one in a reasonably timely manner. (In addition, I'll keep tweeting my ten second leadership thoughts on most days.)  

I hope this newsletter remains an important tool in your weekly leadership arsenal. If it has been, I don't want anything to change that fact.