BSTL Podcast

Leaders often face difficult conversations that they don't want to have. They often end up speaking with everyone in the room when the issue only needs to be addressed to one or some. How do you address the "elephant in the room" while you are potentially preaching to the choir and those individuals who are not directly involved in the conversation? Preaching To The Choir Takeaways : Avoid conflic...

To get the most out of your staff, employee engagement is a critical component. Understanding how you affect and influence those who might be following you is essential to their success and output. As you guide people, make a commitment to their development and best interests. Employee engagement can occur at all leadership levels, from home to work. Employee Engagement Takeaways : Leadership invo...

One of the questions that people have is, "How do you lead when you are not in the room where you are trying to engage?" Imagine yourself within the room and start doing the things you want to see done. Working from the outside eventually makes it possible for people within the room to recognize you and, before you realize it, your own leadership journey has begun. Leading From Outside Of The Box...

Accountability and leadership go hand in hand. One does not exist without the other. However, what does it look like when a leader assumes accountability for inspiring and igniting the leadership spirit in others? In order to change countries and organizations, leaders who possess influence, power, and authority need to take this responsibility seriously. Leadership & Accountability Takeaways...

Upon being promoted into a leadership role, new leaders take on the duties of their predecessors. Should you deal with problems as they emerge or ignore them in the hopes that they will go away as they arise? Are you able to say, "I do not have to solve this issue because I didn't create it?" Ultimately, it will be up to leaders to find a middle ground between shaping the future and highlighting t...

The idea of terminating employment is a challenge for leaders. What is the correct way to inform someone who is performing well that their services will no longer be required due to unforeseen circumstances? It Is Not As Easy As It Looks Takeaways : To progress as a leader. one must be prepared to have challenging discussions. To ensure that the process is as smooth as possible when letting someon...

Leaders can benefit from time-stamped legacies. One method to make room for leaders who are just starting out and are trailing behind you is to write a book and become an author. Give someone a model of who you are so they can see your successes and develop and realize their own potential. While a leader's trip may be personal, the result unquestionably establishes a procedure for subsequent teamw...

For leaders that have to have the conversation, does it matter where you have it or does the timing of the discussion matter? It is possible that both instances are connected. However, when you decide to have the conversation, it is important to address the "elephant in the room." In the end, in order to have the best possible discourse, leaders must interpret their current situation. Timing Or Lo...

As leaders, there are processes and systems that cannot be avoided that will steer leaders in the right direction when training others. Knowing how to address those difficult conversations to provide a better outcome can present to be beneficial for both the organization as well as individual leaders. Leaders should have difficult conversations as a team rather than on an individual one-on-one bas...

As leaders, we recognize that people are our greatest asset and resources. Mentoring and educating others where they are will be beneficial to where we wish them to succeed and prosper in the future. There is a level of responsibility and accountability as leaders to "do no harm" while striving to get leaders to the next level. Leading People From Where They Are Takeaways : Build a level of trust....

All transitional leaders, at one point or another, enter the panic room when they realize that they are no longer a part of the inner circle. Upon transitioning to another space, it is sometimes difficult to embrace new challenges and new responsibilities. No worries, the panic room is there for a reason. The Panic Room Takeaways : Transitional leaders must embrace the space and time allotted in t...

As leaders, you often have to work with others that may not particularly like the way you lead. How do you align with those that may not necessarily want to work with you? Are you able to deal with their rejection while re-calibrating yourself to continue to work? The desire to make a difference often comes with tremendous opposition and is often a lonely journey. From a biblical perspective, the...

Leaders are sometimes called to have difficult conversations with their teams or team members within their organization. The process of addressing your concerns will either elicit a positive or negative response. Allow others the opportunity to be prepared for the conversation ahead of time as much as you are prepared to have it. Do not call them into the "principal's office" unexpectedly. Surpris...

As leaders, when entering into unchartered waters, you have to be willing to get wet. In order to create history while maintaining your legacy for your organization, you have to acquire skills sets in order to journey through resilience, patience and rejection. Remember, as doors open and close, leaders must remain focused and determined to get to their uncharted destination. Leading Through Uncha...

Transparency and trust are intrinsically connected in order for an organization to succeed. As leaders or new entrepreneurs, we are often on a journey that we ourselves are often unsure of the outcome. But, how much information should you relay to those that are following you? How important is transparency in leadership if others are required to follow you, invest their time, energy and finances t...

As leaders begin to mature or wind down in their careers, they have often demonstrated the ability to lead people, lead processes and lead projects. They now ponder transitioning to another space or organization. Whatever you decide to shift toward as a transitioning leader, be your authentic self. Create a world where leaders can show up as themselves while getting the work done. More Of Me &...

With leaders, change is a constant. It is not something that can be avoided. How do you deal with the changes that may occur within your organization? Should you fill the necessary gaps as they appear or should you wait? How can you avoid them moving forward? Regardless of your decision-making process, part of what makes you a change leader or a thought leader, requires you to have the ability to...

Sometimes our perspective as leaders helps to form how we experience situations that occur in our lives. Start by thinking that things happen "for you" rather than "to you." The simple shift in your mindset will allow you to go through challenges that just seem unimaginable. Help other resilient people find meaning and purpose. No Pain, No Gain Takeaways : Connect, collaborate, and establish a net...

Leadership at any age is a big responsibility. Can a young child lead and build leadership skills at a young age? Are they able to make a difference? The answer is yes! Jesus is the best example of a leader. Follow Him and you cannot go wrong. Regardless of how you lead or who you choose to follow, be authentic. Who was the leader that you followed when you were young? Children Want To Lead Too Ta...

To understand the cultural aspect of your organization requires you to understand those that you lead and work with. Getting to know people as individuals allows you to better understand how they incorporate their organizational skills, methodologies, and decisions to better express themselves within your organization. Allow yourself the opportunity to better understand how others operate and func...

Leadership, Education, Collaboration, Legacy and Communication are major key terminologies required to build something that lasts from a leadership perspective within your organization. What are ways in which we can combine these terms together for the best outcome as a leader? It is important to recognize that through collaboration we can bring together young minds with the experienced minds. Don...

From a biblical perspective, Jesus was a great leader and many have used His leadership template to become better leaders. There are many examples on how He led those that He came in contact with as well as how He served the needs of others. Transparency, honesty and self-reflections are key in order to help others to thrive and become better leaders themselves, There are many characters in the Bi...

The ripple effect in leadership is somewhat like the art of skipping rocks. The goal is not to allow the rock to drop into the water thus accelerating a short distance but, rather to skip along to a greater and further distance. This same principle allows you to accomplish the goals that you strive to attain within your organization while utilizing your leadership, mentorship and relationship skil...

To create your own leadership organization requires self-determination, commitment, dedication and collaboration. Do you have what it takes to venture off and create your own brand and/or vision? Did you help someone to create theirs? Listen for some key effective leadership tips to help pave a way to your destination. It takes courage to carve, create and pave a way. How did you create yours and...

As leaders who appreciate and understand the value of change, we must provide our experiences and share our knowledge with new and upcoming leaders. We do this in the hopes of seeing others succeed and, in some cases, helping them to surpass us as well as their own personal goals, Mentor and help lead others to become amazing leaders in their careers. Help them to see that they are in the position...