Category Archives: Relationships

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Opening Up In The Workplace

By the title of this article, you may think I am going to write about the reopening process of businesses and churches after COVID-19. That’s a good thought, especially in this day and age. However, this is not the topic I want to share today.

I want to share about opening up in the workplace. This is in terms of emotionally opening up.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. With my father’s death, I realize we need to open up and share the struggles we are going through. We also need to be available and open to hearing from those we lead.

Opening Up In The Workplace

Before we get into the meat of this article, I need to preface it with a word of caution. We can be too open in the workplace. We can overshare and that leads us into dangerous leadership territory.  Read more...

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5 Tips For Building Strategic Relationships

We all know relationships are important. The relationships you build today may be the relationships that get you the next leadership position in a new organization, move you up in your current organization, or help you with a pressing problem you’ve been dealing with.

Relationships are also a struggle. I’ve struggled long and hard over relationships that feel way too transactional and not enough relational. The relationship always seems to turn toward business talk and what we’re doing to grow our businesses.

4 people sitting around a wooden table working on laptops

Photo by Annie Spratt

It makes me tired and sad. It feels like it is not a real relationship. But it is. It’s a different kind of relationship. These relationships are strategic relationships.

A strategic relationship is one that:  Read more...

  • Benefits both parties
  • Helps you grow your business or yourself
  • Encourages you to do better
  • Keeps you focused on your goals
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Who Are You Surrounding Yourself With?

The people we surround ourselves with are a reflection of who we are. This isn’t intentional but it happens.

Jim Rohn said that we are the sum of the 5 people we surround ourselves with. As we interact with people, we begin to learn, grow, and become more like them.

It’s not a bad thing. Especially if you’re surrounding yourself with high performers.

Group of friends enjoying time together

Photo by Helena Lopes

These high performers will lift you up, much like a rising tide lifts all ships.

I truly believe this. It is good to surround yourself with people who are going in the same direction as you (this isn’t to say you shouldn’t interact with those you disagree with).

Today, I want to ask you, who are you surrounding yourself with? I’ll also share with you a few people I’ve spent a lot more time with this year (outside of my family).  Read more...

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A Tribute To My Father: Part 2

Four years ago I wrote about my father in a tribute article. My father was the kind of man I dream of being. If I can be half the man as he was, I would be honored.

I haven’t opened up on my blog about what happened just over a month ago.

After over a year of major health struggles, my father passed away. It was a rough time as we watched his health slowly decline.

My father, Pam, and I

Dad always had that great smile.

My father was a fighter. He fought long, hard, and valiantly to stay with us. In the end, he left us.

Today, I want to pay respects to my father via my blog. I hope you’ll entertain me.

A Tribute To My Father: Part 2

I don’t even know where to begin this tribute. All I know is that my father was the kind of man I strive to be.  Read more...

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Your Employees Want To Know You Care

Caring isn’t a word you hear often in leadership. You hear more powerful words. You hear words like: Results, Return On Investment, Strengths, Action-orientated, and more.

The words you often hear in leadership have to do with getting results and taking action. They make you think of doing something powerful.

man and woman hugging against a cloudy background

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez

I’ve learned one of the most powerful things you can do as a leader is to show care. You, the leader, need to let your team members know you care about them.

Your Employees Want To Know You Care

I’ve experienced this first-hand multiple times. My father is getting up there in age. He’s currently 92 years old.

I’ve shared a little about my dad previously on this blog. You can find that article here. He’s a manly man who has had trouble with his health over the last couple of years.  Read more...