Everyday leaders are growing around you

Do you notice them? I'm blessed to have have worked with youth and young leaders for years. I got to see people grow everyday. When I didn't notice this anymore there was a problem with my vision. Your own growth as an everyday leader in your circles depends on seeing the people growing around you. … Continue reading Everyday leaders are growing around you

Failure is an option

In fact, it's normal. The more you embrace your shortcomings, and learn from failings, the better you become. At what? At life. People who struggle with failing tend to focus only on not doing so, and lose sight of the bigger picture.  Life is filled with opportunities. To grow, adapt, and learn. Ultimately to become … Continue reading Failure is an option

Joy is key to your team

They'll let anyone into this place! And am I glad 😁 I am blessed to bring 3 sessions to these young leaders on the power of community when you work on a team. Especially when stress hits. It takes all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Not just your will. In fact, it might break your … Continue reading Joy is key to your team

Coaching special for Fall!

Yes, I know it's summer. But Fall will be here sooner than you think! Summer is a great time to consider how you would like to change and grow for the final half of the year to come. In agricultural terms, we plant in Spring, let things become fruitful through the Summer, and then prepare … Continue reading Coaching special for Fall!

Old dog, new tricks

This past Father's day weekend was a gooder.  I spent it with many of the most important people in my life. I got to see skills and abilities honed to form art, and share pride in the lives I have been blessed to be part of shaping. All of this reminds me of the importance … Continue reading Old dog, new tricks

Burnout in Leadership…and life

The next couple of blogposts will be focused on burnout in leadership and how that led me to developing Lead Freely. A little more personal, and hopefully something you can glean from. Enjoy! I enjoy listening to Donald Miller's podcast Storybrand. Click the link above and have a read or listen, or both. He usually has … Continue reading Burnout in Leadership…and life

Good Friday is really Good

The Easter weekend is upon us, and once again I reflect on the work of Christ. In leadership, I focus much of my attention on this work as the basis of my ability. As I said earlier, the humble leader stands out. In this case, for millennia. As I considered this throughout the week, I … Continue reading Good Friday is really Good

Are you a humble leader?

We need more of them. Somehow we have slipped into another era of robust and loud leadership, albeit relational. But humble leadership stands out in all settings. Check out this article from Harvard Business Review for a bit more technical view: https://hbr.org/2017/04/if-humble-people-make-the-best-leaders-why-do-we-fall-for-charismatic-narcissists  Are you humble? Reflecting on the last week of Lent, referred to as the … Continue reading Are you a humble leader?

Canada #2 in the World? #1 in leadership!

Ok, this is not waxing political, so we are clear. A few weeks ago it was announced, again, that Canada is the 2nd best place to live in the world. We always seem to lose to Switzerland on this one. Jerks. You can read about it here: Canada named 2nd best country in the world…again, … Continue reading Canada #2 in the World? #1 in leadership!

Leadership…it’s all about relationship

We are all shaped by what came before us. We continue to be shaped by the present, and we will be shaped daily by what lies ahead. Even as we get older and become a voice that shapes others. Are you aware of the relationships you have created around you that continue to shape you? … Continue reading Leadership…it’s all about relationship

Does everyone agree with you? #communication #understanding

“…right?” I used to frequently end my sentences with that modifier. My wife eventually told me to stop it. No one liked it and it was not really a question I was asking. It was just a way to get a response to a statement. Or more likely, to receive affirmation on what I wanted. … Continue reading Does everyone agree with you? #communication #understanding

Insecure Leaders and Fear

I have been reading a lot on fear and insecurity over the past year. Largely out of recognition for how much impact these two instincts have over the common leader, and particularly in my personal life. From Teddy Roosevelt to the dad dinosaur in the Disney movie The Good Dinosaur (Ok, not technically a read), … Continue reading Insecure Leaders and Fear