Have you ever been fired, laid off, or demoted? Have you ever felt the sting of losing thesupport of your bosses or the respect of your peers? These moments can feel like a gutpunch, shaking your confidence and leaving you questioning your worth. Yet, as difficultas these experiences may be, they can also open doors to wonderful opportunities andpersonal growth. But in that moment, it simply hurts – making it easy to lose sight of thebig...
Recently, I went to see the play A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was a simple yetmeaningful way to get into the Christmas spirit and create new, joyful memories. There’ssomething comforting about revisiting the timeless message in that story: the gentlereminder of what truly matters during this season. At its core, Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ—a moment in history thatsymbolizes hope, love, and renewal. Whether you're religious or not, the story ofChristmas carries universal truths: the power...
Leaders Are ReadersAs Harry Truman once said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”But workdays are longer today, and time seems scarcer than ever. Add to that the riseof social media and we find that our attention spans are shrinking. If a story can't be toldin less than 60 seconds, we’re quick to scroll and move on. As a result, we find the actof reading novels, books, and articles for business or pleasure...
A leader at every level, in every industry, is given the responsibilities ofproblem solving, adapting, overcoming, managing projects and people andall while exceeding expectations. Who wouldn’t want to be a leader? The reality is that being a leader, having the title, does not mean that youhave all the answers. Being a good leader may mean you have someanswers but not all of them. Being a great leader means you recognize theneed and have the desire to improve...
All said and done, we spend a third of our life at work; more than that for some. Who we surround ourselves with, the culture and attitudes we show up for, and how we treat one another matters. From top to bottom of the organizational chart, we can all contribute to creating a workplace worthy of showing up for. It begins with gratitude which according to Forbes, is good for business not to mention our physical...
In leadership, firmness isn’t about rigidity—it’s about clarity and conviction in decision-making. Being firm means knowing when to stand by a choice or direction, even whenpressures mount. A firm leader demonstrates steadiness, helping teams feel secure intheir work and committed to a shared goal. “In a crisis, don’t hide behind anything oranybody. They’re going to find you anyway,” said Lee Iacocca, former CEO of Chrysler.Being firm means accepting responsibility, showing up fully, and setting a clear...
Last month, I led a group through the benefits of collaboration. As a leader, you can dominate and dictate, or you can collaborate and facilitate your team’s success. Building influence isn’t about controlling outcomes; it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels they have a stake in achieving goals. Collaborative teamwork benefits both the team and leadership. Here are the top five I value most: Self-AwarenessCollaboration requires actively listening and engaging with others’ perspectives. This feedback helps you...
Leadership is never a smooth ride. If you're in a position of leadership, you're likely toface moments that push you far beyond your comfort zone. Right now, if you'regrappling with tough decisions and navigating uncertain waters, remember this: stay thecourse. Your resolve, wisdom, and ability to make tough calls are exactly what’s neededin these critical moments. Consider the Apollo 13 mission, for instance. In 1970, an oxygen tank explosioncrippled the spacecraft, leaving the astronauts with limited power,...
Last week, I led our team through a session focused on the word: sacrifice. There’simmense power in taking a few moments to dive deep into a single word. I encouragedour team to share their thoughts on what sacrifice means in the context of our dailywork. We discussed various trade-offs: time, money, patience, opportunities, weekends, andhobbies. Each team member contributed valuable insights, highlighting how thesesacrifices shape our professional lives. Then, we explored the rewards of sacrifice. Many noted how...
A couple of weeks ago, I asked my team to define the word "priorities." Their responseswere spot on: "main focus, importance, consistency, safety, and order." Then, I askedthem to share what they believe are some of our top priorities for campus grounds. Iwas pleased to hear answers like "appearance, safety, removing dead plants, treehealth, mowing, litter, and weeds." As a team responsible for maintaining the visualappeal of our campus, these answers reflected an understanding of our...