Legendary Leaders: For Female Business Leaders

In this final episode of the series, we are going to talk about one of my favorite traits, the fact that the best leaders are actually rule breakers. I'm not talking about the speed limit, or laws, or even proper manners for that matter.  I'm talking about the rules of a market, an industry, or a business as a whole.  The best leaders do exactly what we talked about in a recent episode a...

In episode 10 we are talking about the trait amazing leaders have when it comes to optimism and how, quite frankly, they all seem to be realistically optimistic.  Or, the term that I use is an optimistic realist. The best leaders aren't problem avoiders, remember, we said they are the master of their fate.  In order to be that, they know they have to see the world for what it is.  T...

In episode 9 of our series focusing on the top 11 traits, the most amazing and influential leaders share, today we are going to talk about money management. As I reflect on all of the leaders that I have followed, learned from, admired, and have worked with, I have to say that they are all good at money management.   Discipline is a key feature of leadership and so of course it's no surp...

In episode eight of eleven in this mini-series discussing the top 11 traits of amazing, influential leaders, today we are talking about the fact that the best leaders own their path. Have you ever been around someone who said things like, "The world is against me?"  Or, "I'm just not going to try, nothing I do ever works so I'm just going to let things happen as they may."   If you have...

In episode seven of eleven, we are going to spend a few minutes acknowledging that the best leaders have mentors.  Having a mentor is truly a trait of an amazing, influential leader. Why?  Because they became amazing and influential by learning quickly from the mistakes of others, being coachable, and learning how to run faster and do better than those around them. Mentorship is critical...

In episode six of 11 in this mini-series identifying the key traits of amazing, influential leaders, I want to talk about courageous action.   Recently, I was working on a webinar and I wanted to use Amazon as a case study.  I pulled out my copy of The Everything Store, a book by Brad Stone, to remind myself of the key aspects regarding how Amazon came to be.  I wanted to remember e...

In this fifth episode in this mini-series of 11 focusing on the key traits and characteristics of amazing leaders, we going to talk about time vs. money.  All of the impactful leaders I know recognize that time is more valuable than money. You can always make more money, but you can't make more time.  The time you have allotted to yourself is as much as you are going to have, but you can...

The best leaders say no, right?  That's what we are going to talk about in episode 4 of 11 in this mini-series discussing the top 11 traits of amazing leaders.  Remember, throughout this series you are to be looking at your mentors, the leaders you have worked with, etc., and ask yourself:  Do I see these traits in them?   You see, the best leaders do indeed say no.  They...

In episode number 3 we are going to focus on the idea: failure should fear me.  If you think about the best leaders, mentors, and influential people you have known or learned about, would you agree that they all have this attitude?  Failure should fear me.  That's super powerful, right? You know that we cannot fear failure if we are going to be successful in business.  We have...

This second episode in this series of 11 is focused on taking action while finding answers.  I would absolutely say of all of my mentors, leaders, and those that I follow and admire, this is a key trait across all of them.   We have talked about the fact that action must occur if you are going to create a successful business.  You can't solely be learning or strategizing, you have t...

We are diving into another mini-series.  Call me crazy but I just enjoy being able to connect with you on a common topic for a few days, not just a few minutes. 😁  So we are going to kick off another mini-series focused on the top 11 traits of amazing leaders.  And today, we are going to talk about the first trait, being a lifelong learner. You see, I get emails from tons of places...

As business leaders, we know how critical our product is to our business.  In essence, the product is the business.  So from time to time, I will get questions about products.  "Katrina, how do I know I have an amazing product?" Or, "How do I create an amazing product?"  But the problem is that most people are thinking about their product in the constraints of the market they w...

As we enter into the last part of September, we have to realize that 2020 is almost over.  Now, some of us may be celebrating that fact, while others are realizing just how fast time is flying by.  No matter your perspective, we have to realize that we have 3 months left to get ready for 2021.  To do that,  you need to eliminate what is holding you back. I listened to Dean Graz...

We have talked about situations at work where a colleague or direct report got emotional.   Today I want to talk about diffusing a work argument before things go too far. You know, there are times when you are in a meeting, you are having a healthy debate, but then suddenly the situation turns and the tone, the words, and the temperature in the room changes. How do you handle that? &nbsp...

In this last episode of the series focusing on strategies for a successful reorganization, we are going to focus on creating and using feedback methods.   You see, going through a reorg as we said is not a foolproof process.  Sometimes we get it right on the first try, sometimes we miss the mark.  But we have to know immediately when we miss the mark so we can fix it and continue on...

In this seventh episode, we are going to talk about fast and clear communication as a key strategy to successfully reorganizing your business and team.  The key here is to put yourself in the shoes of your employees.   Many times we say that it's best to communicate face to face, or at least on camera.  The need to see expressions, hear tone and inflections, all of those pieces are...

In episode 6 of 8 focusing on the key strategies needed for a successful reorganization, we are going to talk about freedom with the framework.  You see, just like you have to involve your leaders in the decision-making process, you also have to give them some freedom on how to execute the resulting play. Now, I'm not talking about every team having its own methodology.  But I'm referrin...

In today's episode, we are focusing on the strategies for a successful restructuring.  In this 5th episode, we are going to dive into why you need to involve your leaders if you want the reorg to happen successfully. Remember, you need your leaders to execute the reorganization plan. While you may be the idea generator, they are the doers.  The doers in your organization have to understa...

In this fourth episode in a series of 8, we are going to talk about the strategy and overall mentality of no blanket cuts when it comes to executing a successful reorganization.  Remember, executing a restructure isn't a one-size-fits-all process within your organization. You see, there are some weak leaders when it comes to executing a reorganization.  As we have already said, business...

In episode 3 of 8 of our mini-series about the key strategies to successfully execute a reorganization, today we are talking about the need to assess your talent.  Why?  Because you are reorganizing your people after all.   You see, in a reorganization, you need to move people around to get the most efficient business results.  Meaning, you have to put your talent in the right...

Welcome to episode 2 of 8 in a mini-series focusing on the strategies you should follow for a successful reorganization.  Today we are going to talk about speed and a plan. You see, in reading the HBR article by Paul Buchas, he and his team talked about speed and a plan.  He said that those businesses that don't make the necessary changes within 6 months, will most likely fail.  Add...

Many companies, especially companies in the mature and evolution phases, are going through a reorganization right now.  (Remember, these are the businesses that are super specialized in their staffing, have multiple layers of leadership, several product lines, etc.)  As your business gets bigger and the economy or the industry takes a downturn, the need to reorganize your headcount can p...

We talk regularly about leadership and how building relationships with your team is critical to the success of your organization.  Today, we are going to talk about being a patient leader. I have to say that being patient isn't one of my virtues.  I have gotten better at it, especially after I had my kids.  It's true that kids teach you patience.  Simply because you love them s...

We talked in one of the recent mini-series episodes about understanding finance and gaining financial knowledge to generate the revenue you deserve.  Today we are going to take it one step further and gain some of that financial knowledge.  We are going to focus on understanding the 3 key financial terms that you need to know in order to run your business. I always say that if you can ta...

When I started Legend several years ago, I had some amazing ideas for all of the work I wanted to do and how I wanted to support my clients.  After months of working hard and being strategic, I realized what I am going to tell you today, you need to pick a pathway. You see, I would get emails, invitations to webinars and workshops, etc.  And in each one of them, I would take tons of note...