+++ HONESTY: STILL THE BEST POLICY +++ One of the virtues of life that were drilled into me and my siblings while growing up is this maxim: Honesty is the best policy! I must confess that I've not always lived up to this ideal. How about you? We don't have to look very far to experience dishonesty around us. The media lies to us. Our national, state and local government leaders lie to us. Family members and friends lie to us. It's all around. But what should we do about it? Should we do as the "...
Jul 07, 2020•42 min•Ep. 198
+++ WISH NO MORE +++ Do you ever look back at a period of your life where you wished you knew what you know now or had learned then? I know I have on several occasions. I realize that I had to let go of that wish-I-had-known-moment because if not, it could lead to feelings of depression. This is sometimes true when you said or did something and then afterward wished you had not. What if you knew a skill that could get you different results in almost any situation you find yourself where you have...
Jun 30, 2020•32 min•Ep. 197
+++ IT'S TRICKY +++ Have you ever tried to please everyone? How did that work out? Here's a quote that I've kept close to me: you can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time. Another quote that I really like is: "Some will, some won't, so what? Next!" Another ending that I've also seen and liked is, "... someone else is waiting." Even though I've held these quotes close to me, it's not as easy, at least for me, to put them into action. I ...
Jun 23, 2020•44 min•Ep. 196
+++ HOT TO HANDLE +++ There was a game I played a few times called Hot Potatoes. Have you ever played it? It was mainly done in a circle. Someone would have a ball and throw it to anyone in the circle but they must first call out the other person's name. It is a team-building activity. The point is to handle the ball like a hot potato and try to get rid of it as quickly as you can. If the leader shouted out "hot potato," the person's hand that the ball was in last, is out of the game. As time go...
Jun 19, 2020•35 min•Ep. 195
+++ RETHINK RESILIENCY ++ + When you hear the word resiliency, what comes to your mind? If you are like me you are probably thinking of someone or an organization that rebounded from a space where everything seemed dark and scary. But, does being able to do so, require certain skills, or is it entirely luck? Is there a framework that can be used to ensure success? In today's episode, our guest- Jennifer Eggers - is going to surprise us with a new perspective on resiliency but also share with us ...
Jun 12, 2020•42 min•Ep. 193
+++ NEVER FAILS +++ One thing I know and it's this when morale is high, almost everything else is high. Things seem to just fall in place. Has this been your experience as well? Have you ever worked in an environment where morale is low? Could you tell by what you saw or heard? I know I could. And the times I did, it wasn't nice. You only had to take one look around and you could tell right away. You could literally feel it. It wasn't good. However, I've also been in settings where morale was hi...
Jun 10, 2020•40 min•Ep. 193
+++ 4 EARS +++ Riddle me this, riddle me that: What has four ears, snaps together, and brings comfort? You might as well give up because you're not going to solve this riddle. So let me tell you what it is. It's a company. You might be feeling confused by thinking, what does this have to do with the title of this podcast? Everything. Because you'll be hearing from the founder and CEO of the company who saw a problem, found a solution, and is leading his team to be the leader in PPE accessory spa...
Jun 05, 2020•45 min•Ep. 192
+++ LEAD OR BE LED +++ When leaders put their heads in the sand and act as if "Rome isn't burning" around them, they fail to lead. When leaders hope that "this" will just go away, they have another surprise coming. When leaders fail to listen to the silence or the noise of their people, they set themselves up for a long hot "summer." These actions of leadership are not strategies. So, what should leaders do instead? In this episode, you will discover 3 Do's and 2 Don'ts of leadership during time...
Jun 02, 2020•27 min•Ep. 191
+++ IT'S MORE THAN HOW +++ Have you ever heard someone say, "it's not what you say, but how you say it?" What were your thoughts on that? Do you agree? If you agree, you're partially right. Because it is not just how you say it, but when, where, and why. You can say something the right way that needed to be said but you chose the wrong timing, which can undo all your best efforts. Right? Also, where you say it is also very important. One of the places that saying the right thing at the right tim...
May 23, 2020•33 min•Ep. 190
+++ IT'S EMOTELLIGENCE TIME +++ There was and maybe still is, a popular commercial that has to do with a beer, which I won't mention here because I'm not being paid to promote them. The popular phrase would go like this: "It's (name of the beer) Time!" The point of the commercial was that this beer is what you need for special times. We are in special times because of Covid19, wouldn't you say? It's unprecedented. There is so much we don't know and will not know anytime soon. It's almost, "learn...
May 19, 2020•37 min•Ep. 189
+++ MORE TO IT +++ Have you ever read or listened to a story and felt there was more to it than what you read or heard? When I first heard and read about coaching, I really thought that it wasn't for me. Actually, I didn't see the purpose of it. The only reference I had of coaching, was in the area of sports. Fast forward to today. I now wonder how can a person who aspires for greatness, do without a coach. Think about the likes of Tiger Woods, Lebron James, the late Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan,...
May 08, 2020•38 min•Ep. 188
+++ WHAT'S YOUR PRICE +++ What would you do if you stand to lose $1MM by quitting your job? What would you do if you would end up losing the best job you've had to date by quitting? Would you quit or would you stay? The bottom line is, what is your price? We all have a price. Given the right set of circumstances or opportunities, most of us will do things we would not do under normal circumstances. Am I right? In this episode, you will hear about an Amazon VP who quit his job that he loved - his...
May 07, 2020•42 min•Ep. 187
+++ LEAN ON ME +++ Musical artist Bill Withers penned and sung the widely popular song: "Lean On Me." Do you remember it? Here are some of the lyrics: "Lean on me, when you're not strong And I'll be your friend I'll help you carry on For it won't be long 'Til I'm gonna need Somebody to lean on" The message behind the song is that at one point in your life, you're gonna need someone to lean on. This could not be more true than in times of crisis. Leaders have a golden opportunity to shine as they...
May 05, 2020•38 min•Ep. 186
+++ RESULTS PLEASE +++ Have you ever been to the doctor and he or she sent you to do some blood work to rule out some concerns? If you've done that, how quickly do you want the results? A year later? A month later? Or as soon as possible (ASAP)? If you are like me, which I believe you are, you want it ASAP. Who wants to wait for any unnecessary length of time? This is becoming more of a trend in the area of work where employers are looking for people that can get them the result they are looking...
Apr 28, 2020•45 min•Ep. 185
+++ OR ELSE +++ In what context do you remember first hearing these words - or else? My first introduction to those words was through my parents especially my dad. It was a warning; a threat. But it was not one that my siblings or I wanted to know what it meant. We knew. It was where our butt and a belt coincided. You too? So now, when I use these words, that's the image I have in my mind; one of pain. This pain is not exclusive to my situation. Many leaders today are feeling the "pain" of simpl...
Apr 23, 2020•40 min•Ep. 184
+++ SHOW UP +++ Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by someone's behavior? Could it be that that person was only waiting for the chance to show how capable they truly were given the chance? It has happened to me on many occasions. When I saw or heard what the person in question did or said, I was blown away. I underestimated them. This is what I believe is happening across the world with people being asked to work remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic. Employees are stepping up their ...
Apr 22, 2020•31 min•Ep. 183
+++ IT'S TOUGH +++ Do you recall the toughest decision you ever had to make? How did it go? Did it work out as you hoped? Making decisions can sometimes be tough and tricky. You just don't know how it will end up. This is especially true when dealing with other people whom you have no control over. They might not react to your decision as you hope they would. Decision making can be nerve-racking for some people. They are just not good at making decisions much less tough ones. The decision-making...
Apr 21, 2020•39 min•Ep. 182
+++ KEEP IT THAT WAY +++ The stakes are higher to keep things as normal as possible when you are dealing with circumstances outside of your control. Take for example the coronavirus virus aka COVID-19. How do you keep what you've built over time the same or even improve on it when we are dealing with a pandemic; a crisis? I believe the same way we would when we experience any other kind of crisis. A crisis is a crisis. The skills used in one can be used in another. The difference is how you adap...
Apr 14, 2020•42 min•Ep. 181
+++ CLOSE THE GAP +++ Do you wish at times to be close to someone or others but where you are located makes it almost impossible? How do you feel when you are not able to do so? Moving to the United States by myself was a challenge for me in many ways. One of those ways was longing at times to be with my family and could not because of where I was and where they were. It was not pleasant, to say the least. My only methods of communication were by phone and by mail. Forget about being able to see...
Apr 07, 2020•52 min•Ep. 180
+++ TRULY HEARTFELT +++ Have you ever heard something and one of your reactions were, "that was truly heartfelt?" For me, this happens most times at a funeral. When someone shares something from their heart about a loved one - family or friend - you know it was from their heart. There is something about the delivery and the content that just feels that way. Have you ever experienced anything like that? What about in the workplace? Have you ever had a leader share a heartfelt message that instant...
Mar 31, 2020•37 min•Ep. 179
+++ KEEP IT UP +++ Do you find it challenging to keep your motivation up during times of crisis much less to keep the spirit of others up? It can be quite a challenge ... right? Especially when some people require more of you than others and when working alone is not something they are used to. Getting the team through times like this require some ingenuity on your part and probably some outside help. Remember, you don't have to do this alone. In this episode, you will discover 5 Ways To Keep Yo...
Mar 26, 2020•33 min•Ep. 178
+++ LEADING TO LAND +++ Some leaders tend to focus on the process during times of crisis but fail to focus on the outcome. "Focusing on process" kind of leadership is one that only sees what's going on around them. It's very short-sighted, to say the least. It becomes an either/or for them. They are unable to see a both/and scenario. The leaders who are able to "focus on the outcome" are those who are looking for a "better tomorrow." They take into consideration both the "landing" and what happe...
Mar 24, 2020•30 min•Ep. 177
+++ FREELY GIVE +++ But wait there is more ... Not everything that is free ends up being helpful. Sometimes it can be downright hurtful. Life is filled with feedback. Relationships are filled with feedback. A conversation is filled with feedback. However, have you been hurt by the "feedback" you received from someone? Some will call it constructive criticism. What is constructive about it when you are left in shreds? This happens a lot in the workplace. Feedback, when intended to help, is delive...
Mar 19, 2020•46 min•Ep. 176
+++ SET UP FOR FAILURE +++ During the era of Usain Bolt, if someone had offered me a $1,000,000 to race against him in the Olympics, they would not really care about my self-esteem. I would say they're intent was to humiliate and embarrass me in front of the world. Wouldn't you agree? Now, don't agree so quickly. You could have taken your time to agree. [smile] It would be safe to say that's a set up for failure. There was no way I was going to beat him UNLESS he faked it and allowed me to do it...
Mar 13, 2020•26 min•Ep. 175
+++ EMANCIPATE YOURSELF +++ Have you ever had one of those moments where it seems like out of nowhere, a song comes to your mind that you've not heard or thought of in quite some time? Recently, I've been having some of those moments. Today, was one of those times. As I prepared this episode of The Kingsley Grant Show, the song by the late Bob Marley - Redemption Song - came to my mind. And why it did ... You'll see why when you listen to this episode and you'll also see the connection. In this ...
Mar 10, 2020•31 min•Ep. 174
+++ ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM +++ According to Wikipedia, the term "elephant in the room" is a metaphor used to describe "an important or enormous topic, problem, or risk that is obvious or that everyone knows about but no one mentions or wants to discuss because it makes at least some of them uncomfortable or is personally, socially, or politically embarrassing, controversial, inflammatory, or dangerous" This definition captures the topic of toxicity in the workplace. It's one of those topics that i...
Mar 05, 2020•30 min
+++ CRUSH IT, NOT THE BOOK +++ One of the most inspiring books that I've read a few years ago, was CRUSH IT by Gary Vaynerchuk. If you haven't read it even though it's an oldie, it's still a goodie. However, this post is not about that. It's about crushing something else. That monster called "I'm not good enough!" Has that monster ever reared its ugly head in your life? Do you recall what it did to you at those times? I've had it, and I can tell you, it almost leaves me feeling inadequate and li...
Mar 03, 2020•41 min•Ep. 172
+++ THE BIG PICTURE +++ Have you ever heard someone say, "look at the bigger picture?" Have you said it in a conversation? When you are able to look at the bigger picture, what generally tends to happen? For me, it generally changes the outcome. It forces me to zoom out from where I am to see what I would have missed had I not done that. This is true of those who find themselves in toxic work environments and most importantly for leaders who are in the best position to turn around those situatio...
Feb 27, 2020•42 min•Ep. 171
+++ MANDATORY GROWTH +++ "Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." ~ Benjamin Franklin Notice the correlation? To get improvement, achievement, and success, growth is mandatory. Is that your understanding as well? I hope so. There has been no area of my life where I've experienced any measure of success without some form of growth. Here's another quote that supports my discovery. "Growth is the great separator between those who ...
Feb 25, 2020•43 min•Ep. 170
+++ TOUGH LOVE, YIKES +++ The very thought of these two words tough + love being together almost seems like an oddity. Should they co-exist? Some people have different views on it and I have my own thoughts, which I'll reserve for you to be the judge after listening to this episode. My guest - Timothy Lupfer - believes in tough love from a leadership perspective and how that helps effective leadership. You'll be surprised to hear what he had to say. He has a contrarian viewpoint especially when ...
Feb 20, 2020•43 min•Ep. 169
