I dedicated my time on YouTube to searching for advertisements focusing on making a social impact. These were the videos with powerful messages that pulled at your heartstrings and motivational speeches ranging from 30 seconds to three minutes. I viewed ads from prominent companies like Nike and Starbucks and impactful talks by people like Brené Brown and Jim Carrey. Out of all these videos, the ones that spoke to me the most shared two key qualities: authenticity and vulnerability.

Your success is no longer solely dependent on a solid strategy. Fostering a culture of transparency is crucial in driving collaboration, building trust, and reaching team goals. As leaders, we recognize the significant impact of transparency, and in this article, we will delve into its importance in creating stronger teams.

When Steve Jobs was forced out of Apple in 1985 due to a massive disagreement with the CEO and the board, Apple lost its way. When Jobs returned to Apple as interim CEO in 1997, he had the daunting task of restoring Apple’s profitability. Through his remarkable efforts, the company went from a loss of $1.04 billion to a profit of $309 million in just one year.

B Corps have chosen to join a worldwide movement toward viewing business as a means for positive change, reshaping the definition of “success” to use profits and expansion for a greater purpose. Their dedication lies in creating an economy that is inclusive and sustainable for all.

Your company has one or two distinct strengths that drive your success. Once identified, these core strengths guide your employees and strengthen your differentiated workplace culture. These strengths are your superpower.

The path to your success is a winding road - not a straight line. Be curious. Take chances. Try new things. Get outside your comfort zone and lean into the wrong turns you take. The accomplishments you desire are often found along the imperfect journey behind you, made up of your blunders, trips, and slips.

Genuine leadership isn't a façade; it's a lived experience. It's about consistently showing up, not just when the spotlight is on but also in the quiet moments when no one is watching. It's about fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and empathy, where growth is nurtured and mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning.

During my talk on How to Start a Business, I shared with 200 seventh graders the importance of following your passions and doing what you love.

I have gathered three valuable lessons from my experience writing and publishing my upcoming book, Purposeful Performance: The Secret Mix of Connecting, Leading, and Succeeding. The launch is approaching, and I am excited to share these insights.

Having a moderator for your strategy meeting is beneficial in keeping everyone on track and focused. Who to appoint as the moderator will depend on your budget and specific needs. A professional and experienced moderator can ensure that discussions stay on topic, provide an unbiased perspective, and effectively manage the meeting schedule.

While writing my book, I relied on familiar phrases and terminology that I have used countless times. However, I didn’t truly take the time to contemplate the meaning and impact of my chosen words. It wasn’t until after two editors, a copy editor, and the proofreading stage that I was finally called out for being unintentionally insensitive. And they were right to do so.

Micromanagers complicate processes and frustrate their employees and coworkers with excessive control. In today's work environments, this affects not only finances and productivity but also morale, turnover rates, talent retention, and creativity. It could even lead to a company's downfall.

In a world driven by personal goals and achievements, the Zulu phrase Sawubona, pronounced sow:’bo:nah, serves as a poignant reminder of the value of community and human connection. Translated to "I see you - you are important to me, and I value you," this phrase encourages us to be mindful of the needs of others and to recognize the unique worth of each individual within our society.

SMART goals are ineffective and dumb. You need MEAN goals. Ensure your key goals adhere to the MEAN goal criteria, and create a framework that promotes clarity, meaning, and accountability for what truly matters. The MEAN goal framework becomes a signpost for your organization, helping everyone understand what needs to be achieved, how, and when—and why their work matters.

Your team makes decisions every day at work. However, decision-making can only be more straightforward with clear guidelines and trust in each other. That's where our core values come in; they act as a steady compass, guiding us through uncertain situations. When confronted with tough choices, we can turn to our values to ensure that our decisions align with our principles and long-term goals.