"The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday." ~Matty Mullins As we celebrate the Fourth of July, a day honoring freedom, courage, and possibility, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the freedom we each have—to grow. Chris Nikic, born with Down Syndrome, didn’t let labels define him. At 18, out of shape and unsure of the future, he made one powerful choice: to get 1% better every day. That mindset...
As a young high school student, I remember hearing older adults say, “This youngergeneration has a lot of problems.” I hear the same thing today from my peers across thecountry. It seems each generation tends to lose hope in the one behind it. Today’s workplace includes five active generations, each shaped by unique lifeexperiences and cultural influences. From Traditionalists, born before 1945 and nowrepresenting just 1% of the workforce, to Baby Boomers (1946–1964) at 25%, andGeneration X...
It was one of the worst days of my life. I had to lay off over half of my landscaping team.We had overextended our reach, and the business couldn't sustain it. I had over hiredfor the contracts we maintained. It wasn't just numbers on a spreadsheet — it wasfamilies, stories, and lives. Failure forced me to look deeper. I began asking myself, what kind of leader do I want tobe? This painful moment became the soil where something...
I sat on the bench in 10th grade, arms crossed, ignoring my basketball coach. I thoughtI knew it all. I didn’t. I acted like a starter — and a spoiled one. Looking back, I wasn’t coachable. And that’s the difference between someone whostalls out and someone who levels up. Coachable people don’t have all the answers — and they know it.They stay humble, ask questions, and take feedback without getting defensive. As Coach John Wooden said, “Everything we know...
Recently, a leader I know had an employee come charging into his office—frantic,tense, and anxious. He was like a cat trapped in a pillowcase—ready to claw his wayout. Just moments earlier, he’d gotten into a heated situation with a coworker, and nowhe was looking for a way to escape the fallout. Others had to step in quickly to calmthings down. Attitude influences every part of workplace engagement—productivity, morale,teamwork, and even safety. And unfortunately, negativity is contagious. One...
Whether you inherit a team or build one from scratch, strong leadership makes thedifference. By engaging team members personally, giving honest feedback, andrecognizing individual strengths, you can drive your team toward success. Personally Engage:Understanding your team’s strengths, weaknesses, goals, and needs fosters connectionand builds cohesion. Regular one-on-ones help uncover what motivates each memberand inform better planning. When people feel seen and supported, they’re moresatisfied, more engaged, and more productive. According to Harvard Business Review,leaders who invest in...
"I'm a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have theheart to let him down.” – Abraham Lincoln Today, during a podcast interview, I found myself quoting a close friend who left us toosoon—Tim Kunsman. Tim was someone who saw my flaws, my failures, and still choseto believe in me, even when I couldn’t believe in myself. He didn’t need perfection from me. He just believed I would keep going –...
Today, teamwork is more than a workplace trend—it’s a cornerstone of how organizations operate. It has inspired academic research, consulting industries, and even military strategy. Business leaders have taken the concept off the athletic field and made it central to their vision of success. But long before “teamwork makes the dream work” became a catchphrase, Henry Ford summed it up simply: “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” No matter where you...
In the fast-paced world of frontline operations, success often hinges on how well a teamworks together. True teamwork is not about everyone doing the same thing—it’s abouteveryone doing their part with a shared purpose. Frontline leaders are the heartbeat of this dynamic. Your influence can turn a group ofindividuals into a high-functioning team. It starts with clarity. Define the mission clearly.When every team member knows the “why” behind their role, they find deeper meaningin even the most...
For generations, leaders of all sorts, have been portrayed on stage and screen as “theBoss.” As in “Show them you’re the Boss!” Then, in 2020, Ted Lasso premiered onApple+ TV. He was a new, kinder, kind of Boss. Ted is an American football coach, hiredto coach a UK Soccer team. Everyone thinks he will fail. BUT, Ted’s deep reservoir of optimism and, most of all, kindness, literally won the day,garnering many accolades and awards for the show....