The name of the game shouldn’t simply be to master one level of leadership and then move on to the next rung in the ladder in order to own the next title. It should be to learn and grow, over and over again as needed, so that you’re able to apply your knowledge in new ways as challenges and opportunities arise.

Herein lies an interesting paradox about being a leader: We often get promoted into higher and higher leadership levels by doing the work, and doing it well, but once we are there, our actual roles change quite a bit; they shift from doing the work to providing the resources needed for others to do the work, which is a skill in and of itself. Though related to the skills that may have gotten you to a leadership position in the first place, it is a different one.

In an age of chronic burnout and on the heels of the Great Resignation, it’s become more important than ever for companies to strive for more than mere survival or the bare minimum of basic productivity; we have to set our sites on thriving, on leaning into what supports us as people and mirroring that in how we support our teams.

In order to be the best leaders we can be, we have to get back to our true selves, to what makes us human, to what has shaped us and what we value – and to steadfastly allow that to guide us. One’s voice and action, after all, is only as powerful as one's alignment to their own purpose and authentic self.

While tradition and best practices have their place, if we’re not diligent about continuing to question them and adjust over time, they can become so comfortable that we don’t even realize they no longer serve our goals. In fact, sometimes our behaviors become invisible to us — comfortable to our detriment.

The film Elemental: Reimagining Wildfire explores the natural element of fire from several different angles and perspectives as it rages hotter and wilder across our great globe. This complex story and analysis of how to manage wildfire and keep us safe left me immensely curious as to how this question, “Can we let it burn?”, might apply beyond fire, to all that we do in business and in life. It’s a brave question that goes against the norm to solve a complex problem through innovation. This is what is needed now more than ever from our leaders in every industry.

There are certain times in history that stand apart from the rest as periods of enormous expansion — eras remembered for the great achievements, discoveries, or inventions that would forever change the way humans show up in the world and interact with one another. Though incredibly impactful, none of these times were easy for the people who lived through them – and certainly not everything that came from them was good. But what they did do was require people to reconsider and shift their values on a massive scale, changing society’s values and culture along with them.

Back in the thick of the pandemic, there was a phrase that permeated the airwaves — or some version of it — Do or die.

Heavy, I know.

Sadly, that’s what so many businesses and organizations felt to be true during that time, and we saw it play out over and over again. Today we look around and see near-ghost towns in some places and vibrant, thriving organizations and communities in others.

I have a colleague that worked in youth development for many years, managing programs for kids of all ages in her community and working with other organizations to bring them exciting, engaging opportunities to learn, develop and just be with other people their age. Sounds like a lot of fun, right? She thought so too; she loved what she did immensely.

When he was young, my son had a way of framing the whole day based on one fleeting, but seemingly significant situation. It was that blanket statement, “This is a horrible day!”, when something undesirable happened, even if it was just a blip on the radar.

While I know many of our readers are experienced executive leaders, I recently had the opportunity to guest-star on the #7 ranked Canadian podcast, Trench Leadership: A Podcast from the Front, with host Simon Kardynal.

Simon’s podcast lends advice, inspiration, and tools to help emerging leaders face challenges and find their way as they work through the squiggly, often messy path toward becoming an authentic leader.

Have you ever heard of the Frequency Illusion? Whether you know it by name or not, I’m fairly certain most of us have experienced it at one time or another. The term refers to the idea that when you are introduced to a concept or are thinking of something clearly, it seems to appear more frequently in your life. Some call this the Law of Attraction, others call it a coincidence.

Most of us are familiar with that well-worn phrase, “New year, New you”; it’s meant to give us a sense of hope and renewal, and to remind us that, regardless of what the previous year threw our way, we can turn over a new leaf and Start. Again.

Today’s organizations are getting more matrixed and more complex by the minute. As so, many industries are in a state of transformation.

If you are a leader, whether a leader in your community, a leader of a business, or even a leader of the household, success is something that is undoubtedly on your mind.

Gretchen Reid, of Integrated Growth and Dr. Anita Bangale, America’s ER discuss how important adaptability is in the face of a rapidly changing environment and how it is critical both in a hospital and business setting.

Where do you do your best strategic thinking?

Download and Read our article: Cognitive Dissonance | The Secret Sauce for Growth.

Do you have a new boss? Questions to ask as you connect with your new leader.

Change is a process – starting with the current state, moving through a transition phase, then finally realizing our future state where we achieve the results, outcomes, and success we are striving for.