Instead of trying to find more energy, try making the most of what you already have. Energy is one of those things that can feel great one minute and be elusive the next. I find the most energetic people to not have more than the rest but to do a better job with what they have. This time of year can be overwhelming for many. There is more work to do as the year comes to an end and there are events, parties, and other things that take up time. It’s really important to manage your energy to get th...
Dec 05, 2024•26 min•Ep. 231
Great quotes can’t motivate you alone but they can be a great reminder of your purpose. I’m a big fan of taking in the wisdom of others and applying it to your purpose. This means you have to put the work in to develop why you do what you do. If you can find that internal source of motivation (it’s more sustaining), the relevant external forces will be much more apparent. In other words, when we know our own “why”, we can easily identify that of others which we appreciate. This episode is has 8 ...
Nov 28, 2024•16 min•Ep. 230
Generosity ain’t easy but it’s great for business. People ask me how to be generous a lot - I say “like an subscribe” 😂. Seriously though, it takes a bit of work to be generous once. It takes a lot of work to make it a mindset. There are many ways to execute but I came up with 4 that will quickly make an impact in your life an business. A lot of people are trying to take as much as they can from their work. You’ll want to try giving instead after you listen to this episode. Have a generous rest...
Nov 21, 2024•17 min•Ep. 229
The best teacher in the world is generosity. You might think that giving is a passive and one-sided experience but when you have the mindset it can be quite the opposite. Some of the greatest business lessons I’ve learned have come from observing generosity and experiencing it’s power. People pleasing can mask itself as generosity. This leads to complacency, taking advantage of others, and overall malaise. Be careful giving people what they want and not what they need. Assuming it’s true generos...
Nov 14, 2024•17 min•Ep. 228
There are no shortcuts to productivity. You have to put in the work. Seems easy, right? The problem is the work isn’t always easy to determine. It’s hard to figure out what to do when there are a million sources trying to give you the easy way. It’s best to recognize the myths and avoid them. ⚠ Don’t waste your time. Focus on your own definition of success. Take action and learn along the way. The list of myths is robust as the day is long. Here are 26 to get you started. Have a generously produ...
Nov 07, 2024•26 min•Ep. 227
Start by giving more than taking but don’t stop there. There are all kinds of leadership. There are different prescribed styles - endless books and even more opinions. I think most are a positive influence but nothing is more important than being generous. In fact, I think being generous alone, makes you a leader. It’s important to think about the things that make you generous more than the things that make you leader. Perhaps the title to thig episode is off. Maybe it should be “How to be Gener...
Oct 31, 2024•27 min•Ep. 226
You have to be accurate and reliable to be authentic. I don’t know any leaders that would disagree with that but why does it seem so hard to be those things? It’s because we are very distracted by the world. Our greatest focus will produce our greatest results. If you’re trying to build a generous culture in your life and your workplace, you have to spend the time on these things. Great leaders will radically chase after generosity. They will give when others expect them to take - and it’s not f...
Oct 24, 2024•20 min•Ep. 225
Personal growth is interpersonal. There is a lot of advice out there about taking care of yourself. The self-help industry is booming. See episode 88 with Robert Riopel . It’s too easy for stuff to become “shelf-help”. Personal growth is an incredible collaborative process. You must commit to it but you can’t do it alone. This episode provides 8 non-traditional habits that will help maximize your growth. Focus on building just one of them and you’re guaranteed to get in the virtuous cycle of the...
Oct 17, 2024•31 min•Ep. 224
People work better when they work together. A rock star employee (or leader) is nothing without a rockstar team. Generous workplace cultures can be full of talented individuals but the team is way better than the sum of it’s parts. A great culture attracts great people because they feel a collaborative and fulfilling environment. Leaders and team members alike each are a contributing part to the greater mission. There are certain techniques you can use to foster the right environment and encoura...
Oct 10, 2024•31 min•Ep. 223
Generous workplace cultures are never built by chance. There must be intentional pieces to foster the proper environment. I have 8 I normally concentrate on and speak about. This doesn’t mean there are only 8. In fact, I encourage you to come up with your own but these will be a good start regardless of your industry and unique position. The focus is always on people and making sure they have everything they need (tangible and intangible) for two things: Feeling highly capable in contributing to...
Oct 03, 2024•31 min•Ep. 222
The way you ask questions matters. We all have our list of cliché pleasantries. My favorite is, “What’s up?”. Do I really care what is up? I like to think so but it’s not always the case. Generous workplace culture is full of people who really care about the well-being of others. They want to know how they can be helpful. I have 3 questions that are generous twist on some more typical ones that are used in the workplace. Great leaders will make people feel like they really care. And you do reall...
Sep 25, 2024•22 min•Ep. 221
You can’t fake it ‘til you make it. Generosity, by definition, requires sincerity. In some ways, this makes it easy to recognize generosity (at least internally). You know when you’re “in it”. There are some terms that are popular out there that while they can be great things, they can also be not so great if done for the wrong reasons. I’m covering 5 “imposters” of generosity in this episode. You might first think I’m crazy when you see how positive they can be. But that’s the thing. A lot of p...
Sep 19, 2024•25 min•Ep. 220
I was feeling hormonal. And I still am! Generous workplace cultures really make you feel like you’re a part of something great. It’s a nice mix between responsibility and support. Each company and group of people are different but one thing I can guarantee you’ll find in every room is hormones. There is no getting around it - and you don’t really want to. Great leaders are highly aware of how people’s hormones are moving whether they know it or not. It’s a good idea to have a general understandi...
Sep 12, 2024•25 min•Ep. 219
Stop trying to be happy. Seek joy instead. You can’t always be happy. In fact, I don’t think you’d want to be. The valleys make the mountains, ya know? I like to focus on being a in a joyful state of mind. This doesn’t mean everything will be perfect, it just means that you feel good about your place in this world. You are grateful for what you have and for the opportunity to share with others. You also know you’re able to grow. Employment can be a funny thing. Most of us need it but many say th...
Sep 05, 2024•28 min•Ep. 218
Actions speak louder than words, but words also work. I often say that taking action is the most important thing to progress. You learn along the way even if you don’t find success quickly. It’s also important to have encouraging words in our life and business. There will be times when you need a reminder of why you do what you do and why it’s important to build a generous workplace culture. I was made aware of a great quote on generosity recently and it sparked me to look into what other people...
Aug 29, 2024•21 min•Ep. 217
Avoid these mistakes at all costs. I’m a big fan of “progress”. It’s more realistic than “perfection”. The biggest mistakes you can make when building a generous workplace culture will come during those times you’re trying to be perfect. I have 4 critical things you must avoid so as to avoid pushing or stressing yourself and your team too much. Make no mistake that generosity is hard. You will make mistakes. Just don’t make these (more than once, max). That will put you on the path to the workpl...
Aug 22, 2024•39 min•Ep. 216
This episode is about my 3-step process for building a radically generous workplace culture. There are a lot of variables in an individual organization and it’s critical to consider what makes your company unique. Yet, there are foundational practices that you must have when building the culture you desire. People need to see you “giving” and understand why it mattes and how to participate. My “ACE” process outlines three simple concepts that you can implement quickly to start building your gene...
Aug 15, 2024•28 min•Ep. 215
Do this before you give your employees a raise: Give them something that will make them feel fulfillment and get better in the process. A lot of business leaders and their companies try to attract top talent and retain who they have with financial incentives and bonuses. These things are fleeting - especially a results-based bonus. It’s better for people to experience a sense of ownership and joy in the process. There are a lot of intangible things you can give people. I came up with a short lis...
Aug 08, 2024•31 min•Ep. 214
Slow down or else you’ll never make it. I love to sprint…physically and mentally. It’s healthy but it’s not sustainable. And you want a sustainble business, right? There are no shortcuts or tricks to building a scaling business and a generous workplace culture. You have to be disciplined over a long period of time. This episode will make you think about what it takes to prepare for great things and execute great things. There are lessoned to be learned from working hard just to prepare for somet...
Aug 01, 2024•17 min•Ep. 213
What do shampoo and conditioner have to do with your business? I’m not haircare expert but I like to have things conditioned before they’re shampooed - in business at least. I had one of those shower revelation moments recently and trust me, I wasn’t singing. I thought about the importance of running a clean business and how important it is to do from the inside out. You have to condition your people and your culture before you can display a squeaky-clean public image. So, I’m not sure if you sh...
Jul 25, 2024•14 min•Ep. 212
I dare you to push back on me with this one. Most would agree that positivity is a good thing. It has to be real thought and that’s why identifying positive pressures is key. They enable you to stay active, alert, and intentional while also capitalizing on the force that is a positive mindset. When you’re pressured, you perform and when you’re positive, you’re encouraged, empowered, and maximumly productive. Wow, this is a positive explanation - fitting, huh? The goal for this series (combined w...
Jul 18, 2024•21 min•Ep. 2011
What do you know about pressure? There are a lot of sources that will tell you to avoid pressure these days. Seek comfort. It’s a terrible idea. You have to seek pressure - but the right type of pressure. And in order to know the right kind you have to identify the wrong kind. This Part I of a two part series (perhaps longer) that I’m doing on pressure. It’s such a critical part of life and business and I believe that hose who master the art are those that will rise above. A generous workplace c...
Jul 11, 2024•23 min•Ep. 210
It’s up to you to make everything count. Some say everything happens for a reason. I think they do but that reason is to give you an opportunity for some thing great. I’ve been close to death a few times but one time in particular provides a great metaphor for accidents in business. The unexpected often requires a quick decision making. This episode is about using this great skill to ensure positive outcomes even when something you could not anticipate happens. Take note of how poise is a replic...
Jul 04, 2024•15 min•Ep. 209
Make change or someone else will. The world is a complex place and your business is just the same. I’m a fan of simplicity but you can only push it so much. You must be prepared to make adjustments as things change unexpectedly. There’s a difference between preparing for everything (which is impossible) and be ready to make a shift (or change) as needed. The greatest leaders are able to make adjustments in their companies that others can clearly understand. The team is able to execute and believ...
Jun 27, 2024•19 min•Ep. 208
People will live the culture they feel. You’ll attract the top talent in your industry by making them feel they’ll have more than enough to contribute to the cause the moment they walk in the door. Great workplace cultures allow people to feel an abundance of support and resources. Scarcity in a given area is acknowledged but little time is wasted talking about it. The abundance of resources is sure lead to a quick solution. Leaders will serve their company and coworkers best when giving people ...
Jun 20, 2024•17 min•Ep. 207
A.I. is not a shortcut! I’m all about modern technology but too many people are looking for artificial intelligence tips, tricks, and hacks. That’s artificial and anything but intelligent! The best organizations and their people will use A.I. to handle tasks so that the hard work continues somewhere else. It’s not about eliminating jobs, lowering expenses, and a computer takeover. Generous leaders need to use A.I. as another tool in their belt of giving. Listen in for some ideas of how to do thi...
Jun 13, 2024•12 min•Ep. 206
People need to know what you think. A lot of leadership is about letting people express themselves. A big part of that is how you express yourself to them. It’s critical for a conversation. Some leaders think feedback should be “found”. In other words, it’s up to employees to figure out how their work is perceived. I think this is a terrible approach. Everyone has a different perception of each situation. You have to make sure that people get the feedback they need to improve; positive or negati...
Jun 06, 2024•20 min•Ep. 205
You can’t do it (well) alone. I am a big fan of team sports and I’ve learned that the ultimate team sport is businesses. You can’t do it alone even if you’re a “solopreneur”. I got a story for ya’ and it’s all about my first every time addressing a business crowd. I first thought I was being asked to show people how to build a small businesses and make a bunch of money. In reality, I was there to share the virtues of teamwork in success and in failure. The benefits of working with other people g...
May 30, 2024•23 min•Ep. 204
Most meetings are a waste of time. I said it because I believe it. This doesn’t mean they have to be, though. In fact, I know you can lead the most productive meetings you’ve ever seen. You just have to lead less of them. There are certain things that should and some that should not be a part of meetings. I have a few of these for you and a perspective shift on what’s most important in your all team meetings. I am big supporter of teamwork, collaboration, and in person gatherings. But they must ...
May 23, 2024•24 min•Ep. 203
Networking is not about getting business cards. It’s about giving your time to people. You know people love to talk about their lives and work. I have 5 ways for you lean into the giving mindset while you network. These things come from a thousand networking opportunities I’ve had but I know it’s different these days. Much is done online and through your social profiles. Most of the old “tricks of the trade” don’t apply anymore but giving is always a good idea. Here’s how you do it well regardle...
May 16, 2024•19 min•Ep. 202
