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...
"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 –...
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....
We all know that one coworker—let’s call them the Dramanator. You’re just trying to refillyour coffee, and suddenly you’re caught in a soap opera about Janet’s missing stapler.Again. Dramanators aren't always villains—they're often just energy vampires in businesscasual. They magnify molehills into mountains, complain like it’s cardio, and somehowmake every meeting about their feelings. As Gary Chapman wisely put it, “When aworkplace becomes toxic, its poison spreads beyond its walls and into the lives of itsworkers and...
“To say that a person feels listened to means a lot more than just their ideas get heard.It’s a sign of respect.” – Deborah Tannen Over the years, I’ve become a big fan of high-fiving folks for a job well done.Recognition lifts morale and keeps the wheels of the organization turning smoother thana greased mower deck. But here’s the deal: behind every pat on the back is somethingmore important—listening. Not the "uh-huh, sure, got it" kind of listening. I...
Charlie Munger didn’t just talk about resilience—he lived it. Known to most as Warren Buffett’s right-hand man, Munger's path to success was far from a smooth ride. While his achievements are well-documented, fewer people recognize the personal hardships he endured along the way. After serving in the military, Munger faced a painful divorce, the heartbreaking loss of a son, and financial difficulties. But perhaps one of the most challenging moments came in his early 50s when a...
"Trust the Process" became a popular phrase in sports over the past 10 years, especially whenteams faced rebuilding years. The Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Astros, enduring toughseasons while reshaping their teams, urged fans to trust the long-term vision. Leadersreassured investors and supporters: “Things may seem bleak now, but we have a plan in placeto make it better.” This idea extends beyond sports—it applies to business, organizational change, and evenpersonal challenges. Focusing on what you can control—the process—can...