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For me, having a great conversation is like scoring a winning lottery ticket that pays out in joy instead of cash. So, you can imagine my excitement when Joe Boyd, CEO of Leadercast, asked me this intriguing question during our recent interview for his podcast: Who was a mythical / fictional mentor to you growing up? I…

Living in the moment. Being more present. Embracing mindfulness. Whatever you call it, research has shown that being aware of and focusing on your current circumstance – rather than ruminating constantly on the past or what lies ahead, improves your well-being and ability to handle stress. However, while the concept sounds great, many over-achievers, for lack of…

Are you are used to keeping certain items separate? You know, things like church and state, ensuring the peas on your plate go nowhere near the mashed potatoes and always sitting your mom and Aunt Edna at opposite sides of the room to avoid World War III. Apply that to the workplace, and you might…

Let me tell you about one of my favorite people at work, Scott McDaniel. Sure, he is a super-smart C-level executive with decades of impressive accomplishments. But what is most impressive about McDaniel, who I’ve nicknamed McD, is the delightful way he leads with humor. He sends the perfect memes to alleviate boring meetings. For the…

A lot has been written about what makes a leader great. Good communication skills and passion–check. Decisiveness, strong vision, perseverance, and integrity–check. Another quality that should be on that short list–especially in our post-pandemic world–is gratitude. The act of thanking others and expressing your appreciation in the workplace can go a long way in creating…

3 Ways to Learn How to Trust Yourself Any business can try to brew a soda, fry chicken, or make an industrial lubricant. But if you think about Coca-Cola, Kentucky Fried Chicken, or WD-40, those companies have become blockbuster brands by virtue of their storied secret ingredients (in addition to some darned good marketing). The…

Sometimes I see a quote that perfectly captures what I’m thinking. This being the start of a new year and all, in this case, it’s about making changes in your life – “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got,” by that ever popular source, Anonymous. In other…

One of the best pieces of leadership advice I’ve heard didn’t come from a management guru or a TED Talk. Instead, the source was the 2002 movie Spider-Man, when an earnest Uncle Ben told Peter Parker, unaware of his nephew’s super hero identity, that “With great power comes great responsibility.” That adage certainly rings true in…

As someone who first joined corporate America over 30 years ago, it’s been gratifying to witness the demise of certain antiquated beliefs along with the predominance of the fax machine and pantyhose sold inside an egg-shaped container. Ideas like: The world will end if you ever cry in the office. You must constantly be, look,…

Maybe you’ve read all the books on servant leadership or invested in coaching to become a more empathetic leader. That’s great, and kudos on your continued development. However, if you want to build a kinder culture, a critical but sometimes overlooked step involves starting with yourself and practicing self-compassion. After all, treating yourself with more…