personal growth
“You Are Here”
“If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?” Have you ever been asked that question? Most of us have. And what’s interesting is that I’ve never met a person who replied, “Nothing. I’m perfect just the way I am.” For most of us, it’s not a question of if we want…
Read MoreSometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn for Teens
When I decided to adapt my 2013 book Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn for a teen audience, I was excited about adding ideas and illustrations that teens would relate to. And it was a fun and insightful process. In the book, which releases this week, you can find stories about people like championship surfer…
Read MoreLook Back to Plan Forward
Happy New Year! What did you do to welcome 2015? Throw a party? Toast at midnight? Spend time reflecting on the past year and creating a plan for making the most of the new one? Researchers have discovered that transitional times (like the new year, or the beginning of a season) naturally motivate us as…
Read More5 Surefire Ways to Sharpen Your Skills
Recently, another leader asked me about how he should go about sharpening his skills in the areas where he was naturally gifted. He had already done something that I consider really important: he had discovered his strengths. Now he was ready to focus his efforts at growth in those areas, so he could really improve…
Read MoreHappy Thanksgiving!
“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.” ~William Blake Here in the United States, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. For most of us, that means time with family, great food, and a chance to reflect on what we’re thankful for from the past year. When I look back on this year, I can’t help but be thankful…
Read MoreDecisions You’ll Be Thankful You Made
“Life is a one-way street. No matter how many detours you take, none of them leads back. And once you know and accept that, life becomes much simpler.”~ Isabel Moore Choices have consequences that stalk us like a shadow. The effects of decisions made early in life affect our wealth, relational health, and emotional wellbeing.…
Read MoreQuestion the Answers to Answer the Questions
This week, John and I were at the SUCCESS Partners CEO Summit in Laguna Beach, California. John was discussing his new book, Good Leaders Ask Great Questions. What a great book for leaders desiring to increase their influence! After sharing for 45 minutes, he went into a Q & A session. Some of my favorite…
Read MoreAsking for Change
People rarely do things for your reasons. They are motivated by their own hopes, aims, and aspirations. A leader’s goal is not to sell her vision to the team, expecting them to buy into something external to them. Rather, the responsibility of the leader is to show how her vision connects with the needs and…
Read MoreHow Can You Be A Leader Right Where You Are, Even If You’re At The Bottom?
from Good Leaders Ask Great Questions I often hear this question from younger aspiring leaders. They want to apply my teaching to their current situation, but they don’t know how. The good news is that you can be a leader no matter where you are. You don’t need a title. You don’t need a position.…
Read MoreMan in the Mirror
I’m starting with the man in the mirrorI’m asking him to change his ways And no message could have been any clearer If you wanna make the world a better place Take a look at yourself, and then make a change ~ Michael Jackson “Man in the Mirror” In leadership, the first person we must…
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