06 Aug

The Olympic Mirror-Reflection Of Our Times.

I love watching the Olympics. I am in awe of the athletes and their performances blow my mind. Likewise, the opening ceremony is usually a treat, an opportunity to observe a culture through the performing arts. But these are different times. Who knew that the 2020 Olympics would be taking place in 2021? The delay is understandable of course. The pandemic and its wreckages have forced us to learn to deal with unpredictability, on many fronts, including the timing of what seems like an unassailable schedule. The words pivoting and unprecedented have been in for quite the workout lately!...
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04 May

My Lessons From The Pandemic and What It Means For My Business

Here we are, peeps. More than one year into the pandemic, and, while there are signs of hope, we are not out of it yet. If you’re like me, you have been reading the many heartbreaking stories in varied shapes and forms. To be there for others when they need us most, we must stay grounded and avoid being swept away by the devastation. I find it’s helpful to favor a balanced view, one that seeks to identify positive outcomes as well. The following quote from Nelson Mandela has been swirling in my head: “I am fundamentally an optimist....
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16 Jun

Now what? Part 2 – Finding our way forward, navigating Covid-19 and George Floyd’s murder

The first part of this post ended on the topic of our interactions with people and how they can leave an unforgettable impression, good or bad. Wait, isn’t this about leadership? How we show up right now—and always—offers an incredible opportunity to bring out the best in each of us, which is very much needed. I started writing this post through a workplace lens. Then I turned the TV on and witnessed George Floyd’s killing and what ensued. This grisly milestone is forcing overdue conversations and appears to have mobilized enough people to induce change. While I continue to...
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05 Dec

Technology implementation and your People: Lessons learned.

Technology can be a tremendous asset to a business. From automation to tools and data accessibility, technology has the potential to improve both client experiences and organizational efficiency. But getting there is no slam-dunk. Choosing and implementing technology is a tall order, and whether you realize it or not it will have a direct impact on your organizational culture. Over the course of my career, I have been directly involved in many large-scale technology-based projects  aimed at improving operational efficiency. From point of sales systems (a bunch of cash registers talking to each other and to accounting), to liquor...
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02 Sep

Bringing humanity to work.

Hello Brave Ones, My peeps know that I have been thinking about hanging out my shingle for a while. In fact, I was poised a few years ago when I made the decision to accept a role “in house.” Since leaving that position, I have been reflecting on my professional and personal paths to date. They have been paved with incredible opportunities and events. Many were fun, others not so much but they all brought tremendous learning and growth. From one experience to the next an abundance of lessons and “aha” moments have reinforced my passion and admiration for...
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26 Aug

How leadership is a paradox and where it starts.

Regardless of what leadership definition you subscribe to—there are so many—chances are it references influence over others. One of my favorite examples is Brené Brown’s definition from Dare to Lead, in which she described a leader as “anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and has the courage to develop that potential.” In their book The Leadership Challenge, James Kouzes and Barry Posner defined leadership as “the art of mobilizing others to want to struggle for shared aspirations.” Leadership involves others. It calls on the leader to inspire others. This begs the question, how...
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