Not to brag, but I’ve got some powerhouse collaborators. Stephanie Cox, former SLB president and CEO of Wood Group Americas, is one of them. Together we created a mastermind for energy, infrastructure, and industrial executives, and it’s one of the most successful and fulfilling ventures I’ve been part of. When high-performing senior leaders gain the … Learn More
My heart is heavy today. Yesterday morning, I woke up at 4 a.m., made my son a skinny latte and an asiago bagel sandwich, and drove him to the airport. I hugged him goodbye — and not just him. I said goodbye to a version of him I’ll never see again. Judge is headed to … 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
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
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
During my time in LA, I witnessed something extraordinary at a comedy club that transformed how I coach leaders. The host announced a surprise guest: George Carlin. He was conducting “spring training” – warming up material before his tour. The legend walked on stage carrying a stack of notecards, each containing a single joke. He … Learn More
I spend a considerable amount of time developing my happiness habit “stack,” which includes: While these practices have made a meaningful difference in my life, they don’t always prevent a funk. Admittingly, I’m a pretty positive, happy person … but I’m also human. I get frustrated, I get sad, and I certainty experience worry, concern. And when … Learn More
My friend has a pretty big title. She’s worked hard throughout her career to earn a President’s role in a large energy company. I’ve known her long enough to know that there are parts of the role she loves, and others she tolerates. Regarding the latter, she hates networking. Hates it. She hates getting invited … Learn More
“Come on guys, this sucks … but we’re all in this together.” I’m sure many managers are using this refrain right now. I call it motivation misery. Here’s the catch: misery isn’t motivating. There are plenty of ways to communicate to those around you that “we’re in this together” without having to remind people of the negative … Learn More
I fully believe everyone wakes up wanting to do their best. I realize, though, there are times when it feels like your colleagues and team members are doing whatever it takes just to get by – and their performance level is less than desirable. When your team members aren’t meeting expectations, it’s easy to get mad … Learn More
We don’t need leaders when things are great. We need them right now when the world feels like it’s on fire. We can all read – the economic news is making it hard for us all to focus. Added to this, our businesses are tightening belts, we’re all impacted by layoffs (if not for ourselves, a … Learn More
There are days when we don’t feel as lucky as others: When we feel down on our luck, it’s easy to simmer in our own misery and misfortune, believing that the world is conspiring against us. I can guarantee that if you want to feel depressed, hopeless, and discouraged, the world will give you evidence … Learn More
