I used to be a terrible communicator. Incomplete thoughts. Rambling. Unfocused ideas. The problem wasn’t that I lacked expertise or that I didn’t have something to say. The problem was that I had strong ideas that people never fully heard because I didn’t get to the real point fast enough. After years of hearing my mom say, “Would you please just finish a sentence!”, I never imagined I would one day stand before audiences speaking, teaching, and presenting, and certainly neve

As an organizational leader, I have reviewed hundreds of resumes over the last 20 years. A few were strong, but most were not. Why? Because most people use their resume to simply list their work history, not to tell their career story. Their resume speaks only to their past, not their professional future. Friends, your resume should offer a clear and compelling leadership narrative that positions you as the candidate of choice for the role of your dreams. This week’s Tuesday

Confident. Assured. Powerful. Brilliant. Commanding. These are all words that others have used to describe me at one time or another. Oddly, none of these are words that I have always believed about myself. No matter how many stages I’ve stepped on, microphones I’ve held, leaders I’ve coached, or high-stakes rooms I’ve led—I’ve still found myself wondering how I got there…and whether I actually belonged. At some point, I realized those thoughts weren’t humility. They were lim

When I was a school leader, the classroom was my favorite place in the school building. The cafeteria was a close second! When I was in classrooms, I could see what students and teachers needed, and move the work of exemplary teaching and learning forward – something that just can’t be done from the office. The truth is, the farther leaders move from the classroom, the easier it is to lose sight of what matters most. This week’s Tuesday Ten is for school and school district l

We often talk about “soft skills” in the workplace, and joy sometimes comes up in that conversation. Friends, joy in leadership isn’t soft. It is strategic . And in the strongest organizations and among the most effective leaders, it is also visible . This week’s Tuesday Ten is for leaders – but not just any leader. This is for leaders who want their work to be impactful, sustainable, and joyful!! For leaders who want their work to matter and want to create a leadership lega

It’s the top of the year, and that means it’s almost hiring season. Many people are either actively searching or have been seriously considering a new job. If this is you, please listen. You need a resume. And not just any resume. You need a good resume. One that tells a clear and compelling story about who you are as a professional. One that demonstrates your value and impact. One that positions you as the candidate of choice. The problem is that most resumes don’t do that

Friends, I have good news and bad news. What do you want first? The bad news? Okay. Here you go: Leadership is at a breaking point. The data says it plainly: 71% of executives report high stress, 56% of leaders hit burnout last year, and 43% of companies lost at least half of their leadership teams last year. Experienced leaders are actively considering stepping away from leadership roles altogether, and Gen Z is opting out of leadership before they even have a chance to beg

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