Back to School Energy Boost

Traditionally, the week after Labor Day in the U.S. signifies the return to school. This is an exciting time for students. It’s time to buy new books and fresh school supplies, get excited about seeing old friends, and return to the business of learning.

It’s a little different in the workplace. Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, and after the holiday people tend to return to work with a little more focus. Goodbye to the more relaxed office environment, casual dress, and early Friday departures.

The Denouement of Summer

I know that summer is not over officially until the September 22, but Labor Day weekend has always been the unofficial end, otherwise known as the “cultural end” of the summer for people in the US. This year we had 14 weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Did you miss it?

A Hidden Cost of Procrastination

Most leaders understand that procrastination can delay progress, frustrate teams, and stall decision-making. But there’s a less obvious—and often more damaging—consequence: you can actually lose something important.

Opportunities don’t sit on the shelf waiting for us to get around to them. When you delay action, the landscape can shift without warning.

Expand Your Thinking; Enhance Your Brain

Do you know people who have rigid views about just about everything? Conversations with people like this either turn into spirited debates or one-sided monosyllabic dead ends.

Even if you have a firm perspective on a given topic, when you open your mind and hear a different perspective, it can enhance and expand your thinking.

You Can’t Do Everything

I’m dazzled when I run across people who produce enormous amounts of work with seemingly little effort. This requires focus and attention, a challenge in our distraction-laden environments.

It also requires prioritization, because simply put, you can’t do it all.

How to Talk About Emotional Intelligence Without Sounding Like a Corporate Training Manual

The phrase “emotional intelligence” makes most people’s eyes glaze over. It sounds like something from a leadership seminar that everyone will forget by Friday. But the concept behind it—understanding yourself and working well with others—is crucial for any successful team.

The trick is discussing these skills without resorting to buzzwords that make people tune out.

Offsetting the Loneliness of Leadership

Leadership is often portrayed as empowering and rewarding—and it is. But what’s talked about less is the isolation that can come with it. The higher up you go, the fewer people you can confide in. Decisions carry more weight, and the pressure to appear confident and in control can make vulnerability feel like a risk.

This sense of solitude isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a reality for many in senior roles. But it doesn’t have to be a permanent or paralyzing condition.

The Emotional Intelligence Edge: The Excellence Differentiator

In today’s fast-paced and complex work environments, technical skills and strategic thinking are essential — but they’re no longer enough. The real differentiator between good leaders and great ones? Emotional intelligence (EQ).

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions be aware of the emotions of others. It includes self-awareness, empathy, self-regulation, motivation, and social skills. Leaders who excel in these areas don’t just get results — they build trust, loyalty, and high-performing cultures.

Connecting to Greatness

Have you thought about what inspires you to achieve greatness? Does the thought of it excite and drive you, or does it overwhelm?

Napoleon Hill said, “If you can’t do great things, do small things in a great way. Don’t wait for great opportunities. Seize common, everyday ones and make them great.”

Knowing When to Say “Yes”

We often talk about the importance of knowing when to say “no”, especially if you’re someone who says “yes” almost indiscriminately.

When you focus on when to say “no” your decision is tactical. You’re typically managing your time – and yourself – so that you don’t over commit.

Leadership is a Mindset

Category: Self-Awareness