My husband and I took a two-week motorcycle trip out west in August. With plenty of seat time to think, I discovered four unexpected leadership lessons that seem particularly relevant as we are preparing for life in the Next Normal. This is lesson #4. Links to previous ...
KEEP READINGMy husband and I just got back from a two-week motorcycle trip. With plenty of seat time to think, I discovered four unexpected leadership lessons that seem particularly relevant as we are preparing for life in the Next Normal. This is lesson #3. Links to previous lessons can be found at the bott...
KEEP READINGMy husband and I just got back from a two-week motorcycle trip, riding the backroads of some of the most beautiful states in our country: California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah. With plenty of seat time to think, I discovered four unexpected leadership lessons that se...
KEEP READINGOne of the most important leadership lessons I ever learned happened a decade ago when, in a moment of insanity, I agreed to get on the back of my husband's motorcycle for a 10-day adventure. I rediscovered the joy of the journey on that trip, which has forever changed me as a lead...
KEEP READINGDay in and day out, countless thoughts and storylines run through our minds. These complex narratives are focused primarily on ourselves and our interactions with the world around us. While these thoughts are normal, there is one particular voice that can sabotage even the most talented leader:...
KEEP READINGLike most everyone else, I've not slept a lot these past two weeks. What happened to George Floyd is anguishing. It's just unfathomable that this could happen in America today. The pain our black friends, co-workers, colleagues and neighbors feel is deep and heart-rending. But it's not new. We d...
KEEP READINGThis is a difficult time for everyone, especially leaders. You're doing all you can to help your team and your clients/customers thrive despite the challenges of a global pandemic. But this work-from-home marathon has added an unwelcome layer of pressure that's left you feeling stressed, stalle...
KEEP READINGI love puzzles. There's something very rewarding about sorting through a pile of pieces, spotting patterns, making matches and putting it all together. A lot of families have rediscovered this pastime in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learning to sort through complexity is a great skill for ...
KEEP READINGThere was a time when my days were a mad dash from start to finish. I sprinted out the door every morning, took my children to school, raced to meetings, rushed through conversations, dashed off emails, and scrambled to meet deadlines. I ate a late dinner, sometimes with my family, and squeezed i...
KEEP READINGGreat leaders know when and how to let go without losing control. I was reminded of this timeless truth and how crucial it is to let go of the reigns more often during a recent experience at a horse ranch in Montana. It’s a lesson I won’t soon forget. I was in Bi...
KEEP READING“I don’t want to offend them.” I’ve heard this rationale many times from leaders who were unwilling to be candid with others. Perhaps you’ve thought this yourself. I certainly have. Or, “I don’t want things to escalate.” Worse yet, “It’s easier to just let it go.”
KEEP READINGThinking creatively and fostering creativity in others is no longer an optional skill for leaders. It’s not just something we need if we are in certain industries like arts, entertainment, and advertising. Or when we are in certain stages of an organization’s life. And it’s not something we can a...
KEEP READINGThink of a time where you were “in the zone.” Perhaps you were painting, exercising or playing music. Whatever it was, the activity was challenging, but you were up to the task. You were so engrossed and totally focused on what you were doing that things seemed effortless, you didn’t worry about ...
KEEP READINGThe marketplace was crowded, bustling with pedestrians, street vendors and tuk-tuks. My husband and I were trying our best to navigate the chaos of a typical Indian street scene, but our heads were spinning. We weren’t sure where to turn or even how to cross the street. Thankfully, our...
KEEP READING“We have this problem. What are we going to do?” You’ve probably been asked this question a thousand times by a teammate, an executive, or a customer/client who brings an urgent issue to you. Many times, you have solutions. But what happens when you don’t? Should you fake it? Make a s...
KEEP READINGI have a friend who says he doesn’t like to write, he likes to have written. The truth is, he loves to write, but not as much as he loves the satisfaction that comes from finishing a writing project. I feel the same way about goals. I love to set goals, but I love it even more when those goals ar...
KEEP READING“I’m sorry. We’re going a different direction.”Years later, I still remember that crossroads moment in my career with a twinge of anger and frustration. How I wanted that opportunity! I had seen the potential for upside, planned for it carefully, and made my case to all the decision-makers. But i...
KEEP READINGI’m crazy about my kids. Our daughter, Mackenzie, and son, Jackson are both starting their final year of school and busy planning their futures. My husband and I are proud of them and love being with them.But I wasn’t always so sure they would love being with me.There was a time when all I though...
KEEP READINGThe most successful leaders are lifelong learners. They don’t run from change; they see it as an opportunity to develop new skills. They don’t shrink from challenge; they believe anything is possible.One of the best ways to prepare yourself as a leader for the inevitable changes and challenges th...
KEEP READINGThere’s no shortage of good advice out there for leaders today. I’m grateful you’ve chosen to check out some of my learnings from time to time.Over the past year-and-a-half, I’ve written more than 40 blog posts. And when something gets real traction, I take a closer look to see what everyone is i...
KEEP READINGDo you remember a game from your childhood where you started with an unrecognizable collection of dots on a page, drew a line between them in just the right way, and an image emerged?Connect-the-dots may be a simple pastime from your youth, but it’s also a metaphor for one of the most powerful ca...
KEEP READING“I wonder what she’s thinking…” How many times have you thought that before or after talking with one of your team members? Wouldn’t it be great if you really knew?Mind-reading is a leadership superpower most of us would like to have. We’d all love to know what’s going on inside someone’s head. T...
KEEP READINGThis is Part Two in a series based on my recent trip to India. Part One shared stories of our adventures looking for tigers and the powerful leadership lessons I learned while on safari. Now, I’d like to take you deep into the ancient palaces of the maharajas and maharanis, where we discovered se...
KEEP READINGMy husband and I recently returned from a trip to India, a captivating place that is an explosion of vivid sights, sounds and smells. From the Taj Mahal and tuk-tuks (think motorized rickshaws), to saris, Bollywood and curry, there is only one India.I had the privilege of speaking at leadership e...
KEEP READINGThe meeting was over, and I returned to my office feeling extremely satisfied with the results. Then I heard a knock on the door and looked up to see a co-worker who had come to gently set me straight.As it turned out, what I thought had been a successful meeting regarding a major decision instea...
KEEP READINGWhen was the last time you had an a-ha moment? Eureka experiences often start the same way – with a question. But as leaders we often talk more than we ask. In our eagerness to solve problems or get things done, we jump straight to saying what we think others need to hear. ...
KEEP READINGIt happens innocently enough. Your boss hands you an extra assignment that turns out to be a major undertaking. Or a colleague takes a leave of absence and you’re asked to absorb his workload. Or you agree to chair a youth sports league fundraiser because you feel guilty you haven’t been that inv...
KEEP READINGOne of the things I hear leaders talking about more and more these days is innovation. Good thing, because it’s must-have stuff in today’s rapidly evolving business environment. If you’re not innovating, you risk falling behind.Innovation keeps you in the game. And while we all boldly claim we bu...
KEEP READINGStaying cool under pressure can be one of the tougher parts of leadership. Every day brings a constant flow of conflict, irritations, demands and uncertainty – plus the occasional cultural scoundrel who drives you crazy.Some people are naturally less stressed by those challenges, but most of us c...
KEEP READINGA high-performing team is a thing of beauty. When a team functions well, it’s like the engine of a finely tuned motorcycle – operating with maximum efficiency, speed and, more often than not, crossing the finish line before everyone else.Taking a team to that level requires special leadership – s...
KEEP READINGLeaders often carry a heavy weight. While leadership has its rewards, the reality of the role can hit you pretty hard at times.I’m sure there have been many nights you’ve laid in bed, wide awake, trying to think through an issue that was so complex, you weren’t sure any answer would be sufficient...
KEEP READINGDo you know someone at work who comes across as a fake? One of the worst mistakes you can make as a leader is trying to be something you’re not. Any positive results are almost certainly short-lived. And when it’s carried to an extreme, you can become a destination leader who is focused on someo...
KEEP READINGDoing something new and different sounds exciting. But it’s almost never easy. In fact, it can be downright lonely as you work to convince the world of the beauty and wonder of your great idea.It’s always harder than it seems in real life. Whether you’re launching a startup or creating a new appr...
KEEP READINGYou look around and see all eyes are on you. Your heart is beating quickly. You’re having trouble catching your breath. The sense of fear and dread is overwhelming.Although it feels like you’re facing judge and jury, it’s really just your turn to present at a meeting. For many people, though, tha...
KEEP READINGLooking for a little inspiration?If you’re like most busy leaders, you’d love something to kick-start your thinking or give you a fresh perspective. But you just don’t have the time to search out the best stuff. Which is why I wanted to share a few things I’ve found.Some of the hidden gems in the...
KEEP READINGLike you, I’ve been inspired by the many kindnesses shown to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Neighbor helping neighbor.But it shouldn’t take a crisis for us to show love and compassion to those around us.I have a favorite story about a chance encounter years ago when I was learning to ride a ...
KEEP READINGEvery leader I talk with these days is leading through some kind of change. I suspect you are, too.Maybe you’re in an industry that’s being disrupted by technology. Maybe you’re leading a team that’s been part of a merger or acquisition. Maybe you’ve been assigned an under-performing team that ne...
KEEP READINGThe buck stops here. How true. President Truman knew it. And all great leaders embrace it. We can (and should) empower others to make decisions whenever possible. But leadership will always involve making the toughest decisions.Having the authority to make decisions is one of the most rewarding p...
KEEP READINGOne aspect of leadership I am asked about more frequently than almost any other – by both men and women – is work-life balance. That elusive, sometimes mythical concept that it’s possible to have a career, a family, and a life.Can you really have it all?As I point out in Leading Through the Turn,...
KEEP READINGWe live in an increasingly disrupted world. Thanks to powerful forces such as technology, analytics, globalization and social media, nothing stays the same for very long.Business leaders must constantly evolve their thinking to stay relevant and competitive, and we must become more comfortable le...
KEEP READINGWhat are your hobbies?You can tell a lot about a leader by the way they answer that question.If you’d asked me a few years ago what my hobbies were, I would have said I didn’t have any because I didn’t have the time. The truth is, I didn’t make the time. I chose to spend nearly every waking momen...
KEEP READINGYour car wouldn’t start this morning. You’re behind on finishing the report that’s due tomorrow. Your boss just called an urgent meeting for late this afternoon. Your daughter’s dance recital is this evening. And on top of that, you haven’t had a good night’s sleep in a week.That’s it — you’re of...
KEEP READINGThe idea of delegation goes back forever.As communities formed, tasks were delegated based on skills and experiences that would best help the group. Some hunted. Some gathered. Some drew stick figures on the walls in caves. As cultures evolved into villages, cities, kingdoms, and empires, the del...
KEEP READINGThe journey matters as much as the destination.Well-intentioned people like to drop this pearl of wisdom on entrepreneurs who are single-minded in their determination to reach their goals. But the adage doesn’t sit well with destination-oriented people. In business, partnerships or parenthood, th...
KEEP READING“The journey matters as much as the destination.”Well-intentioned people like to remind those of us who are driven souls about this advice. But I never bought it.I’m a destination person by nature. In business, family life — you name it. I like to know where I’m going and how I’m going to getting...
KEEP READINGRegardless of how you feel about change, it’s going to happen. Life will always throw you uncertainty and upheaval. The real question is what are you going to do about it? And how can you lead effectively during the most difficult times?Whenever we find ourselves experiencing significant change o...
KEEP READINGAre you living with purpose?I think a lot of us ask this question wondering if what we do really matters and if it’s changing the world for better.Last week on Facebook Live, I sat down with Workmatters president and my good friend, David Roth, and shared some thoughts on what it means to find pu...
KEEP READINGMeet my friend Rachel Bell – wife, mom and successful entrepreneur. She founded her company, Shine, in the UK in 1998 (about the same time I started Mitchell Communications Group) with a vision of building a public relations agency where everyone was encouraged to do just that.Shine has won over...
KEEP READING“Are you fearless?”A reporter once asked me that question. How I wish I could have answered her with a bold swagger and a confident yes.But despite 20-plus years of entrepreneurship and a penchant for motorcycling, I’ve had plenty of things that have kept me awake at night. Particularly in the ea...
KEEP READINGDear Mackenzie:“If you fumble raising your children, nothing else you do in life matters very much.” I happened upon this quote during a particularly difficult time for me – we had just moved to Arkansas where I found myself starting over in terms of career and community. It was tough, and I ofte...
KEEP READINGThe night before my first day in my very first leadership position, my stomach was in knots. I tried to convince myself that the knots were because of something I ate, but in reality, I was so nervous that I was on the verge of being sick.I was 30 years old and stepping up to a new level of profe...
KEEP READINGI’m so happy to introduce you to my good friend Kara Trott, CEO, Quantum Health. In my book, Leading Through the Turn, Kara shows us how we can take smart risks, innovate and get out of our comfort zone – all to help drive our businesses forward.Kara founded Quantum Health nearly 20 years ago as ...
KEEP READINGFew things in life are certain.An old adage narrows down the list to two items: death and taxes. But I’d argue that as journey-minded leaders we could also add conflict to that list. Put two or more smart people in a room for an extended period of time and different points of view are bound to ar...
KEEP READINGMeet John Hall, founder and CEO of an award-winning content marketing agency called Influence & Co. John is also the author of “Top of Mind” a book you can pre-order here on Amazon and will be available April 28th. I’ve known John for several years and am constantly amazed at all he has accom...
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KEEP READINGMay you live in interesting times. I’ve never been sure if that’s a blessing or a curse. But the year we’ve just had certainly fits the description.What a year – 2016 brought so much unexpected change: Brexit, Trump, the refugee crisis, Istanbul, Zika, Rio, David Bowie, Wells Fargo, Harambe. On t...
KEEP READINGThe beginning of the year is the time most of us set goals for ourselves. It feels great to be ambitious and the prospect of “new year / new you” is exciting.But many times we start strong only to get sidetracked and lose focus along the way.How can you make New Year’s resolutions that stick? I’v...
KEEP READINGHey everyone I have a couple of tips for you today – and I want to start with my best last-minute business gift ever. I want you to get up out of your office and walk into someone else’s office and ask this question – “What can I do for you to help you succeed today?” Ask them that question and I...
KEEP READINGHow are you sleeping these days?Do you find yourself lying awake night after night processing challenges you face at work? Perhaps you have goals you want to accomplish, yet you feel an enormous burden and anxiety about reaching them.When this goes on for too long, you risk burnout. German-Americ...
KEEP READINGHave you ever worked really hard to accomplish a BIG goal, and then once you got there thought: “Okay, I’m at my destination. What now?”That’s exactly what happened to my good friend Claire Bridges, founder of Now Go Create, a creative firm based in the UK. Claire achieved early success in her ca...
KEEP READINGMotorcycling is truly an out-of-body experience. I first got on the back of a motorcycle 10 years ago while vacationing with my husband and was hooked. The sights, sounds, and smells of traveling on two wheels can spark an explosion of sensations that is absolutely intoxicating. The adventure and...
KEEP READINGI’m glad you’re here, because I’ve got a story to share with you. A story about a journey, a destination, a problem and a solution. It’s my story, but I’m pretty sure it’s your story too.Going full throttleFrom the beginning, I must confess I’m a destination person, much more interested in being ...
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