Tracy Coe 
I recently read Strangers by Belle Burden, her memoir about the abrupt end of a 20-year marriage. It hit painfully close to home. Throughout the book, I felt genuine empathy for Belle, followed by a surprising and uncomfortable emotion: jealousy. Belle is a Vanderbilt heir. When her world fell apart, her grief experience looked very … Learn More
Disclaimer: I love men. I value men in the workplace. I also love women. I know when men and women work alongside each other, great results happen. Yet, I can’t help but read the tea leaves and realize there’s a war being waged against women and it’s not subtle. Look at what’s happened just recently: If you’re paying … Learn More
I’ve heard every version of it: “My company won’t pay for it.” “It’s not in the budget.” “I’ll wait until my employer sponsors it.” And every time I hear it, I think the same thing – you’re waiting for someone else to bet on you. Why aren’t you? Let’s get something straight: you own your development. Not … Learn More
My sister is one of those people who shows up every day for work that most people couldn’t do. As a paraprofessional at a school for students with developmental needs, she pours herself into kids who need her most – the ones who are misunderstood, underestimated, and often just having the hardest time navigating a … Learn More
Last week, my fifteen-year-old woke up complaining of a sore throat. I’ll be honest: my reaction was skepticism. “Sore throat” has historically been code in our house for I’m tired and I don’t want to go to school, a mysterious ailment that’s conveniently difficult to verify. But this time, he pulled out his iPhone, turned … Learn More
There’s a saying in the Marine Corps that has stayed with me long after I hung up my uniform: Mission first, people always. It sounds simple. But for leaders navigating the real demands of business, it captures one of the most meaningful tensions you’ll ever manage. Imagine a long line. On one end: culture, connection, … Learn More
When it comes to public speaking, you can’t wing it. I know that’s not what some of you want to hear. You’ve built your career on sharp instincts, quick thinking, and decades of hard-won experience. You’ve earned your seat at the table. But here’s what I’ve learned after years of coaching executives and speaking on … Learn More
We’re watching it happen in real time. Jeffrey Epstein’s acquaintances are losing friends, connections, and their jobs. If you knew the guy, and it’s surprisingly how many influential people did, you’ve suddenly got a stain on your reputation. It might be the kind that fades with time. Or it might be the kind that lingers … Learn More
Why Your Team’s Disagreement Might Be Your Greatest Asset Disagreement can be the catalyst for change — or it can be the problem that halts progress entirely. We all have the power to disagree, but do we use that power wisely? Let’s start by defining “I Dissent.” It’s more than simple disagreement. Dissent is using … Learn More
We chase credentials. We attend conferences, sign up for trainings, organize team-building retreats, devour books, and master new technologies. These development experiences keep us sharp and relevant. Being relevant isn’t enough. Here’s the truth: None of these fundamentally change how we approach our world. They don’t give us capacity to take on greater challenges. They … Learn More
Reality hits this time of year. Goals are finalized, execution begins, and the pushback starts. Your team insists the targets are too high. Rumbles ripple through the organization—leadership is crazy, the market can’t support it, competitors are too strong, technology can’t move fast enough. As a leader, you must listen. But you cannot cave, apologize, … Learn More
Time isn’t always on our side—especially when we’re chasing something important. Whether it’s a fitness goal, a sales target, a career transition, or cultural transformation, here’s what I’ve learned: everything takes twice as long as you think it will. I’m a truth teller – you’ll always get from me what you need to hear, not … Learn More
