Category Archives: LEADERSHIP

Belief: A Strength that Stays on Course

Written on August 29, 2019 at 8:26 am, by

Belief is one of the misunderstood talent themes, both for individuals and for teams. People are sometimes in disbelief when it isn’t a top 10 Gallup strength for them, as many people feel they have strong beliefs and thus expect it to be on their list. Those who manage or lead people with high Belief […]

Prioritizing When Life Blows Up

Written on August 19, 2019 at 1:10 pm, by

Do you ever feel that crushing weight of “this is all too much?” I experienced this recently after a quick crescendo of competing priorities. It had been a week of long meetings and lots of potential new opportunities that left little room for important projects I wanted to do. I knew something needed to shift, […]

How Football Explains Strengths

Written on July 17, 2019 at 3:34 pm, by

Recently, I enjoyed reading Sal Paolantonio’s book “How Football Explains America.” And as I was reading, I realized that we can also use football to explain Gallup strengths and the various concepts. Here are seven applications I found:

Pursuit of a Calling: Introducing TakeFlight

Written on June 22, 2019 at 7:40 am, by

The birth of a calling can seem mysterious because God’s ways are just that. As you’re finding your calling, you don’t have the privilege of looking back and seeing how it all connects. In this ongoing series of blogs, you will get a glimpse into this process and what we’ve learned about leadership, organizational development, […]

Flip It! Shift Your Role for an Eye-Opening Experience

Written on June 14, 2019 at 2:59 pm, by

How does my question make a customer feel? How do my employees receive and process my comments when I lead meetings? These are great questions to ask. But sometimes, it’s hard to get truthful answers — unless, you flip your situation. I find that people I work with often think they know what others are […]

Bold by Example: 4 Leadership Insights From a Bold Leader

Written on June 11, 2019 at 2:43 pm, by

What are the four attributes that can help make you a bolder leader? Visionary Communication/relationship-building skills Openness to input Willingness to learn To dig more into this (see my article in Young Upstarts for more details on these 4 attributes), I recently interviewed Valerie Zumwalt. She’s not only the founder of ShowMe Leaders and Executive […]

From the Classroom to the Office: 3 Ways to Ensure a Smooth Transition

Written on May 8, 2019 at 11:24 am, by

When the phone rings, do you dread picking it up? Do you default to email and text when communicating? Does the thought of a face-to-face conversation make you nervous? You’re not alone. Approximately 15 million adults suffer from social anxiety, but in the workplace, interacting with others is critical. It allows employees to be productive […]

Help! My Manager Hates Me. Now What?

Written on April 29, 2019 at 3:05 pm, by

“He didn’t wish me ‘good morning.’” “He brought in Starbucks for my co-worker and not me.” “He generally scowls and grunts if I ask a question.” “The only time he comes near my desk is to go to the printer and grab some papers.” In other words: “I think my manager hates me, and it’s […]

You’ve Graduated! Now What? How to Make the Most of Your First Job

Written on April 8, 2019 at 6:16 pm, by

In my work with clients and in conversations with colleagues, I hear a lot of complaints about employees, but one of the most common ones is that Millennial workers have poor work ethic, lack initiative, and struggle to communicate effectively. And perhaps surprisingly, this frustration is often expressed by business owners and managers who are […]

When You Practice Vulnerability, You’ll Help Others Transform

Written on March 28, 2019 at 4:57 pm, by

“Vulnerability” is a polarizing word. Some people can open up to just about anyone without restraint, while others would sooner get a root canal than share their feelings. In business, vulnerability is important, particularly among leaders. Consider this: Often, while working with clients, I discover that convictions or fears hold workers back from leading and […]