Become Iconic Scott McKain and I have had countless discussions on the nuances of customer service—a subject where he is an undisputed expert. His insights are always invaluable, so whenever Scott writes a new book, it captures my attention. In his books and speeches, he challenges businesses not just to excel, but to “create distinction” in their fields. But what happens after a business achieves that pinnacle of becoming best-in-class? According to Scott, the next step is to attain an iconic status that sets a company apart so profoundly that it becomes a benchmark within its industry. It’s ..read more

Disrupt or be Disrupted Today virtual realms and digital frontiers are becoming the new battlegrounds.  In The Metaverse Workplace Revolution: A Path to Greater Profitability, a Stronger Culture, and Industry Disruption, published by Fast Company Press, Jason Gesing shares his vision of a future where the Metaverse is not just an option, but a necessity for business innovation. Gesing equips leaders with actionable strategies to thrive in this new virtual terrain. And very important to me: he emphasizes the importance of not just adopting new technologies, but also valuing and empowering ..read more

The Power of Goals A colleague of mine once said, “If you don’t set measurable goals and you fail? You’ve lost any chance to learn. And if you succeed but don’t know why? It might as well have been luck.” We often mistake activity for accomplishment. We’re doing stuff! We’re working hard! Things are happening! But are they the right things? If you haven’t set good, measurable goals, you just won’t know. Remember: you can get your heart pumping by running in place, but you won’t get anywhere. Listen in and get some good tips on how to set goals in different situations, and how to ensure buy in ..read more

Lessons from the Mat I’m incredibly excited to introduce you to a new friend of mine: Tom Ryan. Tom is an acclaimed wrestling coach renowned for his transformative impact on The Ohio State wrestling program. His tenure at Ohio State has been marked by significant achievements, including leading the team to their first NCAA National Championship in 2015. Under Ryan, the Buckeyes have seen seven Top 3 NCAA finishes, been NCAA team runner-ups five times, and have claimed three Big Ten team titles. Tom’s journey has not been without personal challenges. The devastating loss of his five-year-old s ..read more

An Interview with Andy Molinsky The ability to lead a diverse and global team is not just a skill—it’s a necessity. Imagine a bridge spanning across vast oceans, linking continents together. This bridge is not made of steel or concrete, but of understanding, respect, and collaboration. It’s on this bridge that Andy Molinsky, a renowned expert in cross-cultural communication and author of the groundbreaking book Forging Bonds in a Global Workforce meets us. The journey to effective global leadership is full of challenges. Language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and the intricacies of re ..read more

Timeless Insights from a “Charles Schultz Quiz”   I see it pop up in my social media feeds periodically. For good reason, too. It’s one of those quizzes that causes you to pause for just a second and reflect. It’s usually circulated as “The Charles Schulz Philosophy”. Charles Schulz, of course, was the creator of the comic “Peanuts,” filled with memorable characters like Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, and Snoopy. It was one of the most influential comics of all time. But the quiz usually attributed to Charles Schulz was not written by him. Snopes clarified that Schulz wasn’t the author. And ..read more

Finding Light in Leadership Billy Joel’s music is a constant backdrop to my childhood memories. Visiting family, I can remember how my Aunt Dawn would play “I’m Moving Out!” at full volume, a way of sending a clear but playful message. My mind can conjure up the distinctive sound of shattering glass opening the “Glass Houses” album and put me back in time. I was at my friend’s house when that album released and we listened to the entire thing without saying a word. Billy Joel’s music ranges from emotional ballads to upbeat tunes that demanded you sing along. His songs had this magical ability ..read more

The Weight of Endless Gray Skies   Imagine. It’s a rainy, gloomy day. The sky is gray. The world seems muted. Most people would pull the covers over their heads. But not you! Here’s why this very setting could be your secret weapon for growth. It’s not very difficult for me to imagine this scene because the weather where I live has been gray for what seems like … forever. We’ve had an unusual overcast sky for a few weeks, and it seems the sun has disappeared from the forecast.   Embracing the Gloom: A Path to Creativity Gloomy weather often pushes us indoors. Away from the distracti ..read more

Understanding the Power of Uncomfortable Emotions I was having a conversation with a colleague that was negative. Positive thinking gurus would not have approved. We veered into areas that made us unhappy … others that dragged us into drudgery … before launching into a litany of things that were simply driving us crazy. That person actually approached me the following day, apologizing for being negative. But I stopped the conversation and said it was a fantastic meeting. I was not depressed by the conversation. I was motivated by it. Often the biggest galvanizer of change is the realization t ..read more

Welcome the New Every year I go through a process to kick off a new year. I’m sure you do as well. Whether it’s resolutions or aspirational goals, it’s a time for planning and dreaming big. It’s also a time for action. This process can be done annually but I recommend doing it quarterly. Take some time for reflection. For leaders, this period holds unique promise. It’s a chance to reset, redefine goals, and introduce positive actions that can significantly impact your business, your team, and most importantly, yourself. Here’s a guide to making the most of this new beginning.   Positive ..read more