Are you using generic motivational phrases that fall flat in the workplace? While "give 110%" might fire up a little league team, it often leaves professionals scratching their heads. When it comes to leading a team effectively, vague directives just won't cut it. I get it–we all want our teams to go above and beyond, but let's face it, that saying is as unclear as it gets! So, what's the real issue here?

It was a tough break when the 49ers lost the Super Bowl this year and the worst part is, it turns out they were confused about the overtime rules which may have led them to some bad calls. Yep, even pros can get tripped up by the details. But, this got me thinking about how this kind of thing happens in the business world all the time.

When I launched my own business back in 2015, I recall being especially nervous about generating sales. Now, I wasn’t a total novice: I had experience nurturing warm leads and closing deals when I worked at a consulting company early in my career. The challenge was that I had no experience with lead generation.

Recently during a run, I looked up at this hill that was coming up that I’d done a thousand times and my mind just seemed to give up, even though my body felt fine. I found myself wondering if I should just stop because after the hill, there were more miles to conquer and I had more activities that required energy planned for the day … I almost convinced myself that I couldn’t go on when I heard a voice inside my head reminding me to run the mile I’m in and not focus on anything else.

Many of my clients set big goals in January, proclaiming how THIS will be THEIR year. They are super engaged, excited, and motivated to do whatever it takes to hit these goals, and so are their teams. I am thrilled for them and fully support their ambition to succeed, which leads me to post a simple yet pivotal question:

“What are you not going to do this year to be able to achieve these goals?”

Have you ever thought about chess as more than a game for two people? Take a moment to consider how your team is like a chessboard.

Much like juggling, delegation requires finesse and expertise. I often see leaders struggle with how much responsibility to delegate and to whom. It can be easy to overload one person while underutilizing another. Finding that sweet spot and perfect balance can be hard, but I am here to help guide you.

I thought it’d be fun to decode these phrases and challenge the traditional notions of leadership they represent. From "teamwork makes the dream work" to "think about the bigger picture," we'll dissect these familiar sayings and uncover what they truly mean in today's business landscape.

Ever catch yourself thinking, "I always have to do everything"? It's a common gripe among leaders who were once the go-to executors. But here's the deal: guiding your team always trumps doing all the work yourself when it comes to driving value for your organization. Want to discover the secret to maximizing your leadership impact? Keep reading to find out.

As a CEO, it's important to understand the difference between having a team of leaders vs a leadership team.

When coaching CEOs, the first thing I do is check if they have a clear and compelling True North. No, I'm not talking about the direction they should take when lost in the woods, but the objective they want to achieve in a period of time. It's like a compass for your business! And trust me, it's harder to define than finding your way in a forest. But with a great True North, you can align your workforce around it and lead them towards your vision and mission. So, grab your compass and let's find your True North!

I get asked a lot about my thoughts on remote and hybrid work. Is it here to stay? Is it actually productive? With the looming recession and some companies mandating returning to the office, is this type of work at risk? Let’s dig into this.

I’m often asked what makes a successful C-level executive. While there are many things that come into play–hard work, perseverance, integrity, the ability to listen, vision, grit, and even luck, I have found one other common skill amongst the best of the best: the ability to communicate in a clear and compelling way.

I recently found myself reflecting on the people in my life whom I trust. How did we develop this trust? How long did it take? What specific actions or things did we say or do to build this trust? Had the trust ever been broken and if so, how did we repair it? As I was thinking through these questions, it suddenly occurred to me that all the people whom I trust have one thing in common: they do what they say and say what they will do.

Years ago, I was complaining to a friend about how people were not respecting my time. She said something that I will never forget:

Someone can borrow $20 from you and repay you. But no one can borrow your time and repay it.

So simple yet so powerful. Time is a finite resource; yet many of us don’t ensure we’re applying it to its highest and best use.

One of the biggest challenges in achieving business goals is leaders' tendency to focus solely on their specific functions, rather than the overall company. Are your leaders strong functional leaders or true company leaders? Learn how to identify and cultivate company leaders to overcome internal friction, boost efficiency, and align agendas with the greater good.

The biggest obstacle to success is often leadership, and a lack of alignment can lead to burnout and turnover. Transform your leadership into a winning team that executes and achieves exceptional results.

Have you ever noticed that sometimes, things just don't seem to be going as smoothly as they could at work?

In too many cultures, we’re only about hustling without ever giving people a break.

Learn how to build a modern Human Resources strategy to grow revenue and create a place where employees love to work.