At a desk or on a ship, in the mud or in the air, there are those who served in ways that many of us may never fully understand. This Veterans Day, I’m drawn to a message of remembrance and gratitude, encapsulated in a few powerful words: They stood to defend. Veterans have shouldered a commitment that reaches far beyond personal comfort or convenience. Whether they served in the heat of battle, the chill of a lonely post, or the…
It’s easy to overlook the influence of our everyday actions, especially in the busyness of leading a business. Yet, each choice we make has the potential to leave a lasting impact on those around us. In the same way, Intentional Leadership allows us to create meaningful ripples–small actions that empower others, build trust, and shape a culture of purpose. As leaders, the ripples we start today can have effects we may never fully see but can trust will inspire, uplift,…
As the U.S. presidential election season enters its final push, we’re reminded daily of our political, cultural, and social divides. In moments like these, Intentional Leaders play a vital role. Instead of fueling division, Intentional Leaders create Intentional Unity by bridging differences and seeking understanding. But what does it mean to lead with Intentional Unity? It begins with a few essential principles: listening to understand, feeling genuine compassion, and looking for common ground. These actions create a foundation for unity in…
I have been filled with an extra dose of gratitude this past week as I have been reminded of the incredible people in my life who surround me with their confident greatness, lift me up, and empower me to rise and soar. ❤️SURROUNDED IN GREATNESS❤️ On Monday, I experienced being surrounded in greatness by the members of my Intentional Leadership Mastermind. The trust and confidence they have bestowed on me, as their leader, humbles me and fills me with gratitude….
In every hero’s journey, there are moments of triumph and moments of darkness. But one thing remains constant–heroes don’t walk alone. They rise and soar with the support of those who walk alongside them, lifting them up when they falter and reminding them of the strength they already possess. My journey has been no different. I’ve shared before how my father’s example of getting back up became the bedrock of my own ability to rise. But there’s another group of…
Sometimes life knocks us down so hard that it feels like we’ll never get back up. The weight of discouragement, overwhelm, or even failure can press us into the darkest corners, leaving us to crawl through the muck and mud of misery. I’ve been there. I know how that feels. My dad knew it too, as I shared in last week’s Monday Moring Boost. Dad was a broken man. Though he never realized it, I believe he discovered what it…
Rarely have I read a story illustrating the gentle and persuasive power of our voice to help others. Mike Ganino, who is a fellow professional speaker, recently shared the power of using his voice to influence someone who mattered most… His four year old daughter. On a recent cruise, in a new bed, and after way too much ice cream at dinner, the little girl was not wanting to go to bed. I’ll let Mike tell you the story… Opening the…
One of the greatest gifts of life is that we have the power to change our story. We can tell it better. We can give it new life. We can even create a new ending, which–if you think about it–is really a new beginning. And when we start with the end in mind, that’s when the story gets really exciting! But before we jump into that new beginning, let’s understand why we might want to change our story in the…
I remember the morning of September 11, 2001, like it was yesterday. The images seared into our collective memory–the planes, the towers, the devastation. My heart felt as though it was being ripped apart, not only because of the lives lost but because I knew, in some deep way, that our family life would change forever. The events of that day would eventually lead to three members of our family–myself and two of our sons–putting on the uniform and deploying….
Slow is Smooth… Smooth is Fast… This lesson was deeply ingrained in me over my 24 years as an Army soldier. While the concept felt like a paradox earlier on (how can you go fast by slowing down?), over the years, I came to understand that the principle of slowing down is a cornerstone of effective leadership that can create meaningful progress. A couple of weeks ago, I took that lesson to heart. I withdrew from the everyday hustle and…