Making Space #201 Clearing things out and making space is a skill everyone needs, whether it’s your closets, your car, your office, or headspace. For leaders, creating space is essential; the difference between being mediocre and exceptional lies in the space between your ears. For me, part of making space also includes my body. I do some form of detox…
Nothing Is Static #200 Change management—it’s a topic that comes up all the time with my clients. When they talk about it, I’m always curious to ask, “what do you mean by change management?” Most often, they talk about: the pace of change; the rate at which their team needs to learn to adapt to all that’s happening in the…
A Lesson To Remember #199 Stuff happens. Every day, things are either on or off track and work or don’t. As a leader, how you deal with all the peaks and valleys of running a business and leading people keeps you on your toes. Most days, running a business is easy. Leading people is challenging. I’m a passionate person. With…
Less is More #198 Often, when working with clients I tell them “less is more” or “do less better.” These two phrases are the bane of most entrepreneurs’ existence. We have an internal drive to do more sooner, often at the expense of doing more focused work on the “right” priorities. One team (representative of many teams) recently had a…
Transitions #197 Transitions are challenging. They never happen seamlessly and everyone involved is adjusting. Whether that’s to a new job, the onset of new seasons or any of the many life changes we all encounter. During the transition from Summer to Fall, as well as Spring to Summer, my patterns and habits transition as well. I purge old clothing I’ve…
Are You Ready To Do The Work? #196 If you’ve heard the saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” you might apply it to being away from your loved ones and teammates as your longing for them increases while you’re away. However, there are situations where this phrase does not always apply. When you’re absent, physically, mentally, or emotionally from…
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable #195 Do something today that your future self will thank you for. If you’re only doing the things that are safe, comfortable or predictable, you and your life can become pretty boring. As we embark upon a new line of business at YESS! it’s making my heart beat faster, my blood pressure rises a bit while…
All Green Lights #194 Failing forward. It’s a catchy term that’s popular right now. If you’re the kind of person who’s afraid to fail or doesn’t appreciate constructive feedback, please consider the following metaphor Laura Kelly shared with me: Now, imagine being on the road with only green lights…for everyone. How would that work? It wouldn’t. Hearing only positive feedback…
Don’t Be Reasonable #193 Excellence requires discipline. When you don’t have discipline, you get sloppy. When you get sloppy, you fit right in with the mediocrity the status quo fully supports. We were watching the post-game show after the Vikings played recently when the legendary Chuck Foreman (#44) made this statement about excellence “when you’re playing (the game) at a…
Own, Not Run #192 In a recent podcast with @shannonkmiles, she referenced a statement her coach made to her and her husband as they embarked upon starting their business. When they both cashed in their 401K to start their business, they began their entrepreneurial journey with sage advice from their business coach which she carries forward today. Bryan Miles and…