Three words. That’s all it took to ruin my friend’s weekend. Her manager sent a note Friday afternoon: “Can we meet Tuesday?” No context. No subject line. No clue what it was about. She spiraled the entire weekend.. What did I do? Is this about the client meeting? Am I getting let go? I kept … 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
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
I’ve been called the “Fun Governor.” It’s not a compliment. I’ve also been called Julie McCoy. Remember her? She was the Love Boat’s Cruise Director. Yes. My family, close friends, and anyone who has ever traveled with me before, knows that I love to plan. Over plan, actually. And when we’re on vacation? I even … Learn More
The final weeks of the year always feel like a paradox. We’re racing toward deadlines, closing out projects, and trying to “finish strong”… all while the world around us is encouraging rest, celebration, and slowing down. Both matter.Both are necessary.And both can make you a stronger leader. As the holidays approach, here’s a balanced way … Learn More
Every year, as holiday events appear on the calendar, leaders and employees alike quietly ask the same question: “Do I really need to go?” The answer: Yes — and not because of the food, the photo booth, or the ugly sweater contest. Your presence at your company’s holiday event carries far more weight than most … 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
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
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
Yes: I did get caught up in the Western craze. I may have bought some boots, a hat. I did, in fact, just go to a rodeo. It was so much fun. I don’t know about you, but the older I get the more I enjoy new experiences that don’t involve “fancy” and “luxury.” I love simple human … Learn More
