"How did this happen?" This was Max Dickins asked himself as he thought about proposing to his girlfriend and realized that he didn't have any close friends that she could ask to be his best man.  Max considers himself to be an outgoing guy with decent manners,...

I can honestly say that I have been blessed with some amazing friendships over the years.  My closest friends have been there to celebrate the great times and to support me during the hardest times of my life.  Great friendships always bring out the best in...

Have you thought to yourself or said to someone else, "I just need to get out and do something?"  I know I do at times! Micro-adventures are a great way to get away, reset, let go of some stress, and learn a little along the way.  While there is a lot of...

Storytelling is an art that a great leader and speaker know about. There's a reason why you remember the illustrations that others share in their presentation and how you'll often remember the stories and analogies from a minister's sermon before you recall the points...

Living your personal values leads you to live an authentic life that you will enjoy and be proud of, but it certainly isn't always easy. I've had to let some great professional opportunities, old friends, and other valuable things go because they didn't, or no longer,...

I have built a career by tieing my work ethics, leadership priorities, and expectations around company values. Sometimes it was easy as others were aligned, to begin with, sometimes I was a hero as I entered a bad culture that desperately wanted change, and other...

Check out part one here! The journey to becoming more inclusive is so rewarding on a personal level. There is personal joy and satisfaction as you see yourself grow and mature and this area is typically ripe for personal and professional growth.   Today we...

I've had the honor to be a part of some really great life-changing projects, events, and situations in my career. When asked about my proudest moments as a leader the stories typically go down a road of inclusion and helping break barriers for others to succeed...

Another year is almost in the books! Hopefully, this week has been one where you've been able to take a little time for yourself as you gear up for a new year of both personal and professional growth.  I always find the new year to be a great marker in which to...

There are some people that are really good at calling others out. They masterfully slay their opponents with clever comebacks and pointed wit.  It's also popular. A subreddit called r/murderedbywords has over 2.5 million members where users share their best putdowns...

Have you ever known someone who leaves a great opportunity only to flounder and as a result never bounces back to a level that they were before? Perhaps they are the type to jump headfirst into the newest financial fad without thinking through the implications. Maybe...

Whether you have a business or you are looking to forward your personal career, it pays to have a plan in place. Finding your replacement before it's needed is essential in order to keep continuity in the business and work, but it also requires you to let go of some...

Everyone wants to be liked and validated by others in some form or fashion. From a young leader all the way to a tenured executive, our actions and behaviors can be driven by the desire to be liked.  In our quest for validation, we can sometimes make some common...

If you've got a problem, yo, I'll solve it...Vanilla Ice No truer words can be said from one of the early 90s' most iconic rap stars. We all have to deal with problems on a regular basis both in our personal and professional lives. It's often said that a leader's main...

We've all felt the lasting impact of the last few years. A study confirmed it, we've gotten more stressed and feel a high level of anxiety these days.  In order to keep people engaged and have them stick around, it's important for you as a leader to be mindful of...