Your Morning Commute

Leadership is often over complicated because leaders can and do overcomplicate almost everything. I admit, I have resembled that remark at times as well. There I said it.  The biggest mistake is thinking and leading as if it is about YOU vs THEM - them, you know the team, the people, the humans - the ones get the work done. Leading isn't about telling and having your own agenda, rather great...

Gaining commitment above and beyond compliance isn't hard... If, you don't assume a bobbing of the head means your team is fully on aboard and ready to engage. If, you ask them what it will take for their full commitment ahead of time. If, you ask them what may derail them along the way, so you can be proactive with detours. Don't take your team commitment for granite, rather get them on board eve...

I get it, job skills and experience are important, but are they the most important thing that your applicant brings to the table? I could argue that there are some jobs that the skill brought to the table outweigh some other elements..however...are we leaning too much into skills over looking at applicants that are passionate, behaviorally, belief, value aligned with some or little skills - we don...

The struggle is real...how do we find and understand the new generation (Gen Z) coming into the workforce and when they even tell you they don't want to work. Are we overcomplicating what needs to happen at work...to provide those products and services to the end users. When is the last time you had a conversation with anyone in that age group and truly listened. Today on the 458th episode of #You...

By now, I am sure you have all noticed the title shifts out of Human Resources into People Officers or something 'people' related instead of the traditional HR related. I am happy but at the same time sad as nothing has changed...so many leaders outside of HR or the People realm still think it is HR's job, solely, to create and maintain a workplace culture...grrrrrr....nope it takes all leaders. I...

Let me ask you this...I know you pay your employees a paycheck (money) but are you also paying them with a 'relationship paycheck'? I am referring to how you build rapport, real conversations, real connections, treating them as valued humans first and foremost and then paying them for the work they do. Is it a job for them or a career and a connection for them when they show up for work.  Emp...

How aligned are your personal and work values?  Do you know the personal values of your team members? Are they aligned with those of your workplace culture? Do you motivate your team predicated on those values? And finally, is the way you reward and recognize also align with those values? The best way to strengthen a team and culture is create alignment. Just sayin...are you doing it the hard...

Have you ever had a bad day? Chaotic day? Fire fighting type of day, week, month, YEAR - yikes! Okay, I hear ya... Today on my podcast #YourMorningCommute I discuss this very topic and admit I have them too AND how I lessen the frequency of chaos in my life, my company and those I work with. I hope you enjoy the 5 tips I layout for you. Let me know how it works for you too and if you want to add t...

"I need ammunition not a ride." - Volodymyr Zelenskyy I can not, not call out all the leadership attributes that President Zelenskyy has displayed to the world over the past few weeks. What do you do as leaders when no one is watching and when everyone is watching. The attributes we are seeing play out daily include authenticity, courage, and resiliency. His language is clear, simple and completel...

As a leader we MUST wear many hats throughout the day. Switching those hats on a dime takes courage, focus, and a huge dose of reality at all times. As you transition(ed)(ing) into that five star leader how intentional are you about switching those hats. How natural are you moving in and out of the needs of yourself into the needs of others (individual needs of others). It takes grace and time to...

Don't take it too personal unless the shoe fits...but I am seeing some leaders bail on their team regularly and its become their new comfort zone. Listen, managing and leading others is hard and everyone is cut out for it. Are you still in the 2-year covid mode or moved into your new leadership norm for the good vs the not so good. Bailing or Supporting - what is your leadership state of mind. I a...

I don't believe anything in life is free. But I do believe anything worth having is worth working for it. Today on the 450th episode of #YourMorningCommute I share a funny post I read on LinkedIn this morning and then turn it into some actionable. The funny post is from someone well known but NOT known for being a culture guru by any stretch of the imagination. I hope you take 5 minutes to listen...

Are you still confused or at a loss of specific words when you are asked to describe your workplace culture?  You may be over thinking it, over complicating it. Today's 449th episode of #YourMorningCommute I discuss this topic and provide you with some actionable steps to get you going in the right direction. If you can't define it, then you can't measure it, change course it, stay on course...

Would you agree every day is packed full - meetings, information, tasks to complete and the list goes on - right! As you, the leader is busy attending those meetings, under that pile of paperwork, spreadsheets, budget reviews - your team, your functional team is out doing their daily task too. My question - how connected are you? How often do you go out on the "floor" to remain connected, ear to t...

You can't pour from an empty cup. Leadership is hard, it can be rewarding and draining. After all leaders are human, right! On this valentine's day, don't forget to fill yourself up with care and love too. Giving to yourself is how you can give to others as well. Todays 447th episode I give you my own refueling tip and some others too.

Have you ever been surprised by one of your team members leaving - you felt blind sided and a bit shocked? Just as surprised when one of your team members openly expresses how much they hate their job, but stays. Let me ask you this, how deep are you digging. How are you really paying attention to what they are saying and not saying...changes in their behaviors and outcomes. Turnover happens, peri...

Accountability shouldn't come at the cost of pointing fingers at others but rather setting clear expectations in the first place. No-one, I mean no-one likes the blame game. Everyone loses in that game every time.  In today's episode I talk about accountability and challenge you on the role you are playing.

When and how did being candid get such a bad rap? Being candid doesn't mean you are being mean as a leader but rather that you are being transparent and honest...add some kindness to the mix and you have a great match up. Today's podcast focuses on this very topic. It better to show kind candor to your employees vs leaving them to wonder in the dark.

Your team members have the best observations, input, ideas and problem solving abilities...have you asked them lately? It is so easy to get caught in a rut, doing the same old, same old thing and way. At times, not the most effective and efficient way either. Just ask your team...yep they have ideas AND they are GOOD ones. Common manager opportunity theme is not asking your team for input...today'...

Do others describe you as a leader the same way? Do you describe those you report to the same as your peers?   If you answer is not sure or probably not, then it may be time to pivot how you are showing up based on the needs of others. It's not about you, it's about them and it always has been and alway will be.

As organizations grow, layers are added to teams...in those layers is the middle management. Often, we forget how important those layer(s) are to the entire organization. Many times, they are the forgotten layer, taken advantage of layer, overworked, over-tasked, and under trained layer. They are also the linchpin layer to all things good and bad. I always challenge the bad as it isn't that layers...

Who can relate to the term 'whirl wind of the day' or 'fire fighting mode'? Our best intentions getting side tracked, it happens to the best of us.  But today, on this day, this 440th episode I pose the question of how much time do you spend allowing, yes allowing, the day, your day, to get suck right away from you - so instead of taking and making deliberate time to increase your momentum an...

I am 100% sure it is the little things that we say or do that build or destroy our relationships. When we add up the 'little things' they form how we feel, how we react, how we make decisions, how we judge others, and the list goes on. Today on the #YourMorningCommute think through the little things you say and do, how you show up in conversations and so much more...the little things brings us to...

Do you know your team, do they know you?  Every day we are given a series of moments that add up to either negative or positive ripples in our relationships with those on your team and in our life. How much are you being open, vulnerable, sharing, and listening to those moments? Those opportunities to truly connect with those around you. Regardless of whether you are an introvert, extrovert,...

Have you ever thought deeply about your regular routine...I mean deeply thought about it, reflected how your 'regular' routine is described by others and how it impacts your workplace culture. Your personal cadence of checking in on your team, how you communicate, how you involve others or not. The overall review of how you do, what you do, on the daily.  It defines you, it will show you how...