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Visit my blog for life hacks and commentary on useful literature. Like what you read and want to discuss more? Schedule a call!

From the Coaching By The Book Archive: The Charisma Myth

From the Coaching By The Book Archive: The Charisma Myth

What does it mean to have charisma? In her book “The Charisma Myth,” Olivia Fox Cabane discusses the concept of charisma and whether it is a quality exclusive to some or if it’s a skill attainable by anyone who is willing to work at it. This is the first of several re-released “Coaching by the Book” summaries - invest just 12 minutes of your time to get the best of the book!

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5 Symptoms Revealing Insecure Leadership

5 Symptoms Revealing Insecure Leadership

How well a leader owns his mistakes and handles criticism is directly proportional to the level of security in his leadership identity. Unfortunately, we’ve seen that just because someone holds a title doesn’t mean they have the respect of the people they lead. In this blog post, we’ll study how Jake’s insecurities are getting in the way of being effective - and how we can avoid becoming just like him.

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How Unwashed Washcloths Demonstrate Effective Leadership

How Unwashed Washcloths Demonstrate Effective Leadership

Effective leadership doesn’t have to be heroic. And it definitely doesn’t allow destructive habits to fester and petrify itself in your organization. So how do dirty washcloths fit into the principle? Mike Vrabel has a wonderful example of how to lead not by asking, but by pointing toward consequences and giving his people the freedom to choose whether or not they are okay with them.

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Why Your Cultural Background Is a Career Asset (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)

Why Your Cultural Background Is a Career Asset (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)

Filmmaker Bao Nguyen (Be Water) once said you spend the first half of your life running from home, and the second half running toward it. The turning point? The things that made you feel like an outsider when younger are the same things that will help you stand out in a crowd. Let’s unpack how to leverage your background to be your biggest advantage.

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The Unspoken Rules of Leadership in Western vs. Eastern Cultures

The Unspoken Rules of Leadership in Western vs. Eastern Cultures

Many cross-cultural leaders feel the tension and conflict of when to speak up. It feels like a risk either way: do I risk looking passive by staying silent, or risk looking incompetent by saying something that falls flat? The shift happens when you stop thinking “either-or” and start thinking “both-and.” Read this post to find out how to get the best of both instead of the worst.

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How to Influence Decision-Makers Without Losing Yourself

How to Influence Decision-Makers Without Losing Yourself

You want to feel seen and heard because you care and you matter. You want your voice to matter. And yet, you don’t want to resort to some of the tactics you see others use to push their agenda forward. So how do you adapt yourself without losing your identity? Read on to find out how to navigate this challenge.

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When Promotion Feels Like Punishment: Reframing Leadership Stress

When Promotion Feels Like Punishment: Reframing Leadership Stress

Getting promoted can feel like you’re finally heading to the greener side of the fence. Until you realize that you’re just getting started with a different set of challenges. But take heart! Even if you’re not able to coast like you thought you would after getting the pay bump, new title, and bigger desk, the promotion is still a blessing. Read the full post to learn how.

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From Overwhelmed to Inclusive: How Emotional Intelligence Transforms New Leaders

From Overwhelmed to Inclusive: How Emotional Intelligence Transforms New Leaders

How do empathy and burnout relate? If you don’t have empathy, you’ll get burnt out because you won’t be able to rally, equip, and motivate your team well. Mei had to learn about the importance of emotional intelligence the hard way - and you have the opportunity to learn from her story so you can spare yourself having to make the same mistakes.

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Leading When You're the Cultural Minority: Strategies That Work

Leading When You're the Cultural Minority: Strategies That Work

What do you do when you’re in an environment where you have to prove yourself over and over as a leader? You have to think force, not finesse. At the same time, how do you adapt yourself without compromising who you are? This blog post will provide you some actionable strategies to increase your chances of success.

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How NOT to Get Re-Hired

How NOT to Get Re-Hired

Steve left a job in a huff after being told he wasn’t performing, but found out that the grass wasn’t greener when he went to the other side. When he tried to go back, he was basically told he would have to wait his turn while other candidates were being considered for his old position. Read on to learn what Steve should’ve done differently - and how you can avoid making the same mistakes.

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The Conflict Between The Weight Loss Craze and Your Insurance Company

The Conflict Between The Weight Loss Craze and Your Insurance Company

Who knew that weight loss drugs could cause such a conflict in healthcare? It’s easy to see that companies which trumpet your wellness as their priority prioritize their profits over your well-being. Learn how to better navigate the current healthcare landscape and free yourself from the games your insurance plays.

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24 Lessons from 2024

24 Lessons from 2024

What did you learn in 2024, and how will you act on those lessons? The two biggest mistakes people make are either to not reflect or to do nothing about them. Here’s my list of lessons and applications in the hope that you’ll be inspired to do the same. Let’s make 2025 a year of truly tangible transformation!

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My Book List from 2024

My Book List from 2024

Leaders are readers, and knowledge is power! Applying knowledge you don’t yet have is a futile endeavor. In an era that seems busier than ever, more people seem to think they have no time to read. For the ones who recognize that reading has to be a priority no matter how busy life may get, here are some more titles for you to consider. And feel free to comment with your own!

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Lesson 10: Control Your Narrative

Lesson 10: Control Your Narrative

Do you realize how much you define your own reality? What are the stories you’re telling yourself? What are the stories you’re telling others? Do you even believe what you’re telling them? The sooner you acknowledge your opportunity to craft a better narrative to live by and knowing how to keep destructive narratives from taking a toll on you or your relationships, the sooner you can start the transformation process. This blog post will show you how.

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Lesson 9: Technical Competence Isn’t Enough

Lesson 9: Technical Competence Isn’t Enough

John Maxwell once said that a leader without followers is just someone going for a walk. True, no one is obligated to follow you just because you set a good example. So how do we increase our chances of inspiring followers? Let’s unpack Shawn’s example for some ideas.

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