Category Archives: Relationships

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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...

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Do You Really Love People?

The COVID-19 pandemic, or plandemic as some friends are calling it, and the recent racial issues have really broken my heart. I’ve watched long-time friends become bitter enemies. I’ve seen family members disown other family members.

It’s sad. There’s so much hurt and bitterness over the issues at hand.

Yet it is not just COVID-19 that has brought this about. We’ve seen angry rants on Facebook about everything from vaccines to at-home childbirths to working for the man.

Everyone has an opinion. Everyone believes they’re right.

We can’t all be right. Someone will be wrong, especially when viewpoints collide.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the biggest arguments has been whether or not to wear a mask. One side will tell you masks make you sick. The other side will tell you they help prevent the spread of disease.  Read more...