Humor is one of those things that’s tough to explain without ruining it. As E.B. White wisely put it, “Humor can be dissected, as a frog can, but the thing dies in the process.” So, let’s skip the science and talk about the real value of bringing humor to work. A recent survey found that 84% of executives believe those with a good sense of humor do better work. While humor won’t erase challenges, sharing a laugh makes the workday feel...
Last week, we explored the value of the Growth Mindset. Now, let’s talk about how to build momentum—and keep it going. Gill Penchina, a business leader and investor, once said: “Momentum begets momentum, and the best way to start is to start.” In physics, momentum is power in motion. Think of a bowling ball versus a softball. Same speed, different force. The bowling ball carries more weight—more momentum—because of its mass. The same principle applies to leadership and personal growth. Take Chris Nikic....
I’m in the growth business. Whether it’s plants, people, or potential—I love watching things grow. Last month, I shared the story of Chris Nikic. Born with Down Syndrome, Chris didn’t let labels limit him. At 18, he made a simple decision: get 1% better every day. That decision led him to complete one of the world’s toughest endurance tests—the Ironman®. Chris wasn’t chasing trophies. He just wanted to Be Better. That’s the heart of what Dr. Carol Dweck calls the Growth Mindset....
“Behavior is contagious. Bad behavior spreads faster.” ~ Adam Grant, Organizational Psychiatrist Last week, I led a webinar called Professionalism Matters: Raising the Bar on Workplace Behavior. Because we’ve all been there when someone in our workplace, on our team, gets away with something bad. They may not steal or lie or cheat, but their behavior tells you they easily could. They might be rude, show up late, are inconsistent in the quality of their work, gossip, or display poor decision making...
In all organizations we’re used to thinking in terms of local and district managers, directors,foremen, supervisors, and crews. There's usually one person calling the shots. But what ifleadership wasn’t a position—it was a mindset? What if everyone on your team felt responsible,empowered, and engaged? That’s the heart of the leaderful mindset. Leaderful organizations don't wait for one person to make every decision. Instead, theyencourage everyone to think like a leader—taking ownership, offering ideas, and making thingsbetter right where...
Let’s be real—leadership isn’t about big words or fancy titles. It’s about getting peoplemoving in the same direction to get a job done right. Leadership is the grease thatkeeps the machine running. So, here’s the big question: What kind of leader are you? Are you The Real Deal?Back in the 1960s, people started using the phrase “The Real Deal” to describesomeone who was the genuine article—no fakes, no fluff. It meant you could trust themto be who...
"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...