Life + Leadership

       As a father of a 12-year-old daughter, I am often marveled at her inquisitiveness and natural curiosity towards the world around her. From the questions she asks to the explorations she embarks on, it’s amazing to witness her thirst for knowledge. It reminds me of the time when I was her age and had a similar curiosity towards everything. However, over the years, I have noticed that I, like many others, have lost that innate trait. It’s made me wonder why being curious is so important, why we tend to lose it as we age, and most importantly, how we can regain it to benefit in life and work.      Being curious helps us learn and grow. Curiosity is what sparks creativity and innovation. It’s what makes us ask questions, seek answers, and explore different possibilities. When we’re curious, we’re more likely to take risks, try new things and learn from them. It's crucial in both our personal and professional lives, as it helps us develop new skill...

      Have you ever spoken to someone and felt like their words were not matching their actions? Or wished you could understand what someone was really thinking or feeling based on their body language? The ability to read body language is a valuable skill in both personal and professional settings. While it may seem like a daunting task, with practice and observation, any of us can become better at interpreting body language.       I   've always been intrigued by the art of reading body language and have delved into articles and books on the subject. Most recently I read “Reading People: How to Understand People and Predict Their Behavior--Anytime, Anyplace” by Wendy Patrick Mazzarella and Jo-Ellan Dimitrius who has been a consultant in more than 60 jury trials including Rodney King, John Dupont, McMartin Preschool and O.J. Simpson cases. It was a great read but to be honest I was pretty disappointed I did not get the holy grail to ready people...

       Life can be a wild ride, full of unexpected twists, turns, and bumps in the road. Whether it's financial woes, heartbreak, health setbacks, or any other type of challenge, we've all been there in some shape or form. While these tough times can be gut-wrenching and agonizingly difficult, they can also teach us valuable lessons about ourselves and the world around us. We emerge from these struggles stronger, wiser, and more equipped to help others facing similar hardships.      Have you ever considered what your struggles have given you? I was inspired by a recent podcast featuring Jay Shetty and Ed Mylett where they explored the power of cultivating positive values. Their insights left a lasting impression on me, particularly the idea that our past hardships can actually be our greatest strength. From bankruptcy to addiction battles and everything in between, the challenges we face have the potential to shape us into a powerful force for good i...

          In today's world, diversity, equity, and inclusion have become buzzwords. Yet, the reality is that they matter more now than ever.     The world is becoming increasingly diverse, and our communities and workplaces can't afford to remain homogenous. DE&I is the foundation for a healthy society, and its initiatives can help organizations to create an inclusive and welcoming workplace environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and employee engagement. It's clear that driving impact on diversity and inclusion is a journey, not a destination. It requires constant effort, sensitivity, self-awareness, and openness to feedback.         Starting on a path towards becoming a DE&I advocate can seem daunting at first, but with a little guidance and some determination, it's a journey well worth taking. As someone who's been there before, I know firsthand how easy it is to get caught up in the worries...

     Throughout our lives, we are constantly told to be strong, independent, and to keep our emotions “in check”. Society often emphasizes the importance of being tough and not showing weakness, leading many people to believe that vulnerability is a negative trait. However, the truth is that opening up your emotions and becoming vulnerable can actually be incredibly beneficial for both your mental and physical health.       For many years, I kept my emotions locked up tight. It wasn't something that felt comfortable or natural to me, and growing up, it was made clear that feelings weren't something to openly discuss. This mindset stuck with me, and for a long time, I struggled with the "bottle-up" principle. All of that repression came with a price, though - I found myself developing less-than-healthy habits, like trying to please everyone and wallowing in addiction. It wasn't until much later in life that I learned to open up and be a little more vulnera...

     Being a people pleaser can be both innate and a choice. Innate tendencies can play a role in shaping our behavior and personality traits, including the desire to please others. However, whether or not we continue to be a people pleaser is also influenced by our life experiences and choices. This is something I have always struggled with in my personal and professional life. Ultimately, I know that it's important to find balance between meeting my own needs and desires while also considering the needs and desires of those around me.      From an early age I had a strong desire to meet the needs and expectations of others, even at the expense of my own needs and desires. I am not certain how it got started, however I became consciously aware by recognizing my fear of rejection or disapproval from others, especially those in a position of power such as my parents or a superior at work. I incorrectly conditioned myself early on in life that my worth and ...

Leadership is a crucial aspect of helping individuals achieve their best selves, and effective leadership requires numerous traits that instill confidence, clarity, engagement, and inspiration. While there are many leadership traits, five of them stand out as important top leadership qualities that any leader should possess to help others achieve their best selves.  One of the critical leadership traits necessary for helping others achieve their best selves is emotional intelligence. Effective leaders understand their emotions and those of their team members. Such leaders know how to communicate effectively, empathize with others, and handle conflicts positively. Possessing emotional intelligence enables leaders to connect with their teams on a personal level, improving motivation, and ultimately leading to higher performance. Another crucial aspect of leadership is effective communication. A good leader is an excellent communicator, able to communicate a vision or a message to...