Mastering the Simplicity of Perspective
Picture yourself as a parent dropping off your toddler at school for the first time . . . You stand there, fighting back tears as you watch your bundle of joy disappear through the door. You feel powerless, wondering if the incredible bond you had shared would survive your little one’s first taste of independence. … Continue reading Change Doesn’t Wait For Tomorrow – Neither Should You
Small town is in my blood. At least that’s what I carry forward from having grown up in Bisbee, a hidden gem of a city with a population of 4,923 living souls tucked away in the southeastern corner of Arizona. While ambition has fueled a personal odyssey in search of knowledge and awareness, it is … Continue reading The Undeniable Power Of Community
The tension was almost palpable. My transition into the role of Human Resources Manager featured a learning curve that made Kilimanjaro look like the Bunny Slope at a local ski resort. That morning, I sat before my team, rowing against a tide of complacency and routine. They sat there, arms and legs crossed in an … Continue reading Achieving Excellence Through Culture
Let the record show that we have cheered for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a professional American football team, since our arrival in Florida more than two decades ago. So, to say I was as shocked and amazed as anyone when the team signed superstar Quarterback Tom Brady last year would be an understatement of epic … Continue reading Gratitude Separates Good Leaders From Great
Occasionally, a product or service comes along that creates a magical new space, revolutionizing a market or industry and leaving a permanent thumbprint on the world. Like urban sprawl, it doesn’t take long for others to identify a new opportunity, shifting pursuit of their dreams to this developing landscape, pinning hopes on the promise of … Continue reading Cultural Competence Breeds Brand Confidence
Google “leadership” and you’ll be welcomed to peruse 2.9 trillion results. Narrow your search to “leadership styles” and you’ll find everything from autocratic to servant, breakthrough to resilient, affiliative to transactional, and plenty of others in between. There’s a lot of information to choose from. Many styles feature an accompanying model, such as a pyramid, … Continue reading Why Every Leader Should Begin With “At Your Service”
Coulda, woulda, and shoulda. Three words formed from the informal shortening of could have, would have, and should have, that dismiss the regret or worry about a previous experience. Appropriate since using them during service recovery will likely mean your customer is history. Less grammar lesson and more transformative mindset, the presence of these modal … Continue reading Three Words Considered Toxic To Your Service Recovery Model
Sooner or later, it’s going to happen. Faced with having a conversation you’d rather not have; you’ll hear the clock ticking in the background and recognize the urgency of the moment. Still, a part of you wishes it would all just go away, that if a pair of red shoes worked for Dorothy, they might … Continue reading How To Safely Navigate A Critical Conversation
I have long approached leadership as an art form, a process of expression in which we allow something incredibly genuine to emerge from within, a truly intimate perspective shared with those looking to us for guidance. While people remain the passion behind the purpose, feedback transforms their potential into performance. Still, leaders can struggle with … Continue reading 4 Ways Feedback Transforms Passion Into Performance
It was a simple comment attached to a recent post. The subject was April 7th, anniversary of the date I assumed command of the USCGC Point Whitehorn many moons ago. Scott, a member of my crew during that time, reacted to the post and offered this comment: “You were espousing the value of personnel and … Continue reading 4 “F” Words Define Balanced Approach To Leadership