Allowing Excellence: The Leadership Skill Nobody Teaches

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

Finish Strong, Start Stronger: A Leadership Reflection for the Holiday Season

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

Why Attending Your Company Holiday Event Matters More Than You Think

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

Your Team Is at Mile 20. Here’s How to Get Them to the Finish.

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

The “Power Play” that Backfires Every Time

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 Silent Cost of Ego-Driven Meetings: When Leaders Waste Everyone’s Time

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