In any workplace, the success of both individuals and the organization hinges on clear, honest, and effective communication. Often, these pivotal moments come in the form of crucial conversations—a discussion between two or more people where stakes are high, emotions are strong, and opinions differ.

These conversations are often challenging because they involve sensitive topics and the potential for conflict but they are necessary.

As a leader, your ability to navigate these conversations is a powerful tool in developing successful individuals, fostering high-performing teams, and, ultimately, driving the success of your organization. Let’s explore how mastering crucial conversations can unlock the full potential of your team.

Why Crucial Conversations Matter

Crucial conversations aren't just about addressing conflict or delivering feedback; they are about facilitating alignment, growth, and mutual understanding. These conversations have a direct impact on team performance and...

Leadership is so much more than just managing outcomes or reaching targeted goals. Too many leaders are focused on results and not their people. In fact, they view their team as the obstacle more than the solution! 

Leadership is about creating an environment where people feel seen, valued, and supported so they can perform at their best. I’ve spent years working with leaders, and there’s one thing I know for sure: the leaders who create lasting impact and get big results are the ones who invest in their people.

This is why my approach to leadership coaching centers around three principles that I believe truly transform how we lead:

1. Relational Leadership

2. Support-Driven Leadership

3. Servant Leadership

These three pillars focus on connection, empowerment, and service—qualities that every leader needs to cultivate if they want to drive sustainable success. Let’s break down what each one means and how they can transform the way you lead.

Relational Leadership: The Power of Co...

I cannot believe that we are already at the one-year anniversary of the Wake Up to Your Life podcast!

Over the past year, I've had the amazing opportunity to share insights and tools designed to help you live more intentionally, awaken to your fullest potential, and step into a life of purpose.

So, in honor of this milestone, I'm counting down the top 10 most downloaded episodes—those that resonated the most with my audience and sparked the greatest transformations. Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to the show, these episodes are short but impactful, so pick one and reply back with YOUR favorite episode!

 #10. Episode 48: 10 Things To Do To End The Year With Momentum (Part 2)

(Listen to episode 47 first!)

Key Takeaways:

• 5 Tips for closing out the year
• How to start the new year with MOMENTUM
• The power of vision boards

#9 Episode 19: How To Create A Morning Routine To Support Your Goals

Key Takeaways:

• Decide what you want your morning routine to help you do
...

As we approach the final stretch of the year, it’s essential for leaders to take a step back, reflect, and evaluate the journey so far. Whether your team had a challenging year, celebrated major wins, or navigated unexpected pivots, now is the time to make sense of it all, recalibrate, and gear up for 2025 with clarity and purpose!

Many look to January 1st as the time to plan the year, but leaders know better. I, for example, start Q1 planning in October of the previous year. It doesn't mean that things can't shift or change, and it doesn't mean that I don't evaluate in January as well, but it DOES mean that to start the year strong, I need to plan a quarter ahead of time.

Leaders should reflect on the past year before setting new goals because it helps them understand what worked and what didn’t, providing valuable insights for future decision-making. By evaluating successes and challenges, leaders can make more informed and realistic goals, avoid past mistakes, and leverage team gr...

Have you noticed lately that the focus of leadership is shifting from enforcing discipline to fostering development?

Because employees are seeking not just a paycheck but growth, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose in their work, this is a very welcome change. Leaders who understand this shift are not just managers; they are mentors, coaches, and visionaries! They see their team members not as cogs in a machine but as individuals with unique potential that, when nurtured, can drive the organization to new heights.

If you're unsure if you're a leader who leads with discipline versus development, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you catch yourself talking down to your team when they aren't performing at the level that you want?
2. When your team isn't meeting their goals, do you meet them where they're at and develop ways in which they can improve?
3. Does the culture of your workplace foster a feeling that your employees jobs are on the line or that there is freedom to make mistakes an
...

In today’s fast-moving business world, change is one thing that is always a sure thing. For leaders, there is no room for sitting back and hoping things stay the same. Instead, we have to be looking ahead, anticipating market shifts, and getting ready for whatever comes next.

Being able to spot potential changes and adapt can be the key to not just surviving but thriving.

Think about big companies that once dominated their fields but fell behind because they didn’t see change coming. Blockbuster was huge in video rentals until Netflix came along with digital streaming. Kodak invented the digital camera but couldn’t shift away from film fast enough and lost its footing. These stories highlight an important point: leaders must stay alert and proactive, always looking for new trends and possible disruptions. The same goes for businesses with many different types of clients! Leaders have to always be looking for multiple sources of revenue so they ensure their businesses stay afloat and ...

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

George Bernard Shaw, Nobel Prize-winning playwright

This quote is a favorite of mine for a few reasons, but one of the main ones is that we often walk away from a meeting or a conversation and think we are all on the same page. But more often than not, that's not the case!

Sometimes we assume everyone thinks the way we do or has the same takeaways. But there are certain things we as leaders can't leave to chance. We can't allow assumptions to override good communication.

Effective communication is more important than ever. Whether in personal relationships, professional settings, or casual interactions, how we communicate can significantly impact our understanding, connections, and outcomes. Understanding the four types of communication—active, accepting, thoughtful, and questioning—can enhance our ability to engage meaningfully with others.

Let’s explore these communication styles and how they...

As leaders, we don't want to just be positional leaders...we want to be EFFECTIVE leaders!

Effective leadership begins with self-awareness. By understanding our unique strengths and leadership style, we can better leverage our talents to inspire and guide our teams.

In the decade I have had working with leaders, I have noticed that self-awareness is not a given. There are many leaders who lack this and it creates a giant obstacle between them and their team.

What does self-awareness have to do with leadership?

Self-discovery matters because it allows us to lead with authenticity, because we can align our actions with who we are. If we don't know who we are, then how do we know we are showing up authentically? How can we serve others from a place of honesty and to our highest potential if we don't have a clear understanding of what that looks like?

Self-awareness helps us understand ourselves and expands our ability to make well-informed, strategic decisions that benefit our organi...

Have you ever had a mentor?

While there are many ways to define one, I tend to love Bob Proctor's definition the best:

"A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you."

Being a mentor isn't about telling someone how to do their job, though sharing advice is important, but it is more about helping someone to see their potential.

Whether you are someone looking to become a mentor or someone wanting to be mentored, here are some important things to know about why mentorship holds so much power.

1. Knowledge Transfer

Mentors provide a wealth of knowledge and experience that can significantly shorten the learning curve for emerging leaders. By sharing their successes, failures, and insights, mentors help mentees avoid common pitfalls and adopt best practices more quickly. This transfer of knowledge is invaluable, allowing mentees to build a strong foundation based on real-world experiences. It's been found th...

When you think about conflict, what comes to mind?

You probably think of arguments, misunderstandings, and disagreement. But conflict on a team is actually a sign that your team is working towards success not failure! It’s a natural part of human interaction when it's done in a HEALTHY way.

In fact, research has shown that constructive conflict within teams can lead to increased creativity and innovation. According to a study by Charlan Nemeth, a psychology professor at the University of California, Berkeley, groups that engaged in healthy debate generated more original ideas than those that did not.

Yes, you read that correctly: healthy conflict can lead to greater creativity, but also improved problem-solving and stronger relationships! That's because conflict encourages teams to evaluate different perspectives and ideas critically. While conflict may initially create tension, resolving it can also strengthen relationships and foster a sense of unity within the team, where creativ...