Tracy Coe 
Every marathon runner knows mile 20. Your legs feel like concrete. The finish line exists somewhere ahead, but your body screams for you to stop. Having completed multiple marathons and triathlons, I’ve lived this moment when the end feels simultaneously close and impossibly far away. This is exactly where your team stands right now in … Learn More
Last year, my colleague Tracy and I were driving to our Detroit “Take the Lead” conference when we paused a Tim Ferriss podcast featuring Elizabeth Gilbert. She said something that stopped us cold: she had “no cherished outcome” for their conversation—no expectations, just gratitude to be there. We looked at each other, recognizing the wisdom … Learn More
Let me ask you something: When was the last time you were fully present? Not half-listening to your kid while checking Slack. Not “relaxing” on the couch while scrolling through work emails. Not in a meeting while mentally writing your grocery list. I mean truly, completely present in one space, doing one thing, with one … Learn More
Two days ago, at 5:00 AM on a Saturday morning, I found myself already deep into preparation for my 8:00 AM CNN appearance. I was about to discuss the Department of Defense’s recent decision to disband the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS)—a topic that’s both timely and divisive. While I speak … Learn More
We’ve all been in that meeting. Someone shares, “Well, I just spoke with Mitch (the CEO) yesterday, and I can’t share everything he told me, but he did mention…” The room shifts. Eyes roll. Name-dropping your boss is one of the fastest ways to undermine your professional reputation. Yet it happens constantly, creating an unhealthy … Learn More
The phone call that changes everything usually comes on a Tuesday. The shock hits harder when you’re staring at retirement accounts you hoped never to touch and wondering if decades of expertise suddenly mean nothing. You know everyone says, “it’s all about networking” and “most jobs aren’t posted on LinkedIn,” but here’s the uncomfortable truth: … Learn More
We’ve all been there. Five people clear their calendars, join a conference room or Zoom call, and settle in for what they hope will be a productive meeting. Then the leader arrives—unfocused, agenda-less, and seemingly convinced that their presence alone justifies monopolizing the conversation. What follows is a painful exercise in organizational inefficiency that costs … Learn More
Picture this: You’re lounging in a beachside cabana, tropical drink in hand, waves gently lapping the shore. The perfect vacation day, right? Wrong—at least according to my Oura ring, which registered five hours of stress during what should have been my most relaxing day of the year. Five hours. To put that in perspective, my … Learn More
Let’s be honest—uncertainty is everywhere in business right now. Supply chains are a mess, markets are all over the place, and customer preferences change faster than my 14 year old’s cologne. But here’s what drives me crazy: I keep seeing leaders freeze up when things get unclear, choosing safety over boldness exactly when boldness is … Learn More
Most high-achieving professionals are meticulous about setting quarterly targets, annual objectives, and strategic milestones at work. Sounds like you, right? You track metrics, conduct reviews, and course-correct with precision. Yet when the office lights dim and you head home, does that level of intentionality evaporate? If so, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Personal life … Learn More
I’ll never forget the December when taking my kids to see Santa felt like climbing Mount Everest. I was building my business, cramming for graduate school finals, and managing two young children while my (then) husband traveled for work. My days started at 5 AM and ended well past midnight, fueled by coffee and sheer … Learn More
When tensions rise over disagreement, my first instinct kicks in like clockwork: I want to flee. Yep, in the fight, flight, or freeze—I’m definitely a flighter. The moment disagreement surfaces, every fiber of my being screams “tap out.” Exit the conversation. Avoid the discomfort. Find the nearest emotional escape route. And sometimes, I do exactly … Learn More
