I’m dropping the first chapter of my new book right here, and let me tell you—I’m doing something totally different from most authors.

No fluff, no BS, just straight-up value. I want you to dive in, rip it apart, love it, hate it—whatever. Your honest comments and critiques mean everything to me. So don’t hold back. Have at it!

Chapter One: Lead Like Bezos

Rejection stings. You don't get the job. You get turned down for a promotion. Maybe it's a romantic situation, and suddenly, you're on the outside looking in. Rejection is the kind of thing that, no matter how many times you experience it, never feels good. But here's the kicker: it's not rejection itself that's the problem. It's how you handle it.

If you're serious about winning in business, here's the truth: retention is everything. You could hire new talent all day, every day, but the real power lies in cultivating the team you've already got.

Building and maintaining a strong network isn’t just about stacking up connections on LinkedIn or collecting business cards at events.

Be the hero of your own story—starting now.

In the journey of your career, the phrase "Put on your big-boy pants" (or big-girl pants) is more than just a call to maturity; it's an invitation to step into the realm of personal growth and professional excellence.

It’s often the small changes that create the biggest shifts in productivity.

This will fundamentally change the way we work.

Are you someone who shows up to work, or are you the person who shows up on fire for what you do?

Whether you’re an executive climbing the corporate ladder, a business owner trying to grow your enterprise, or unemployed and searching for that next opportunity, networking is not just critical, it's empowering. It puts you in the driver's seat of your success.

Teams fail for various reasons; by addressing these issues, leaders can significantly improve their team’s chances of success.

Congratulations! You’ve made it to a significant point in your career. You’ve achieved milestones, earned respect, and proven yourself as a capable leader. But here’s the hard truth: the leadership strategies that brought you success might not be the same ones that will keep you moving forward. It’s a common pitfall. Many leaders hit a plateau because they fail to evolve their approach.

The ability to act swiftly and decisively is paramount. Yet, many organizations find themselves entangled in red tape, procrastination, equivocation, and bureaucracy, which stifle innovation, slow decision-making, and frustrate employees. Eliminating these obstacles is essential for maintaining a competitive edge.

Leadership transitions can be daunting, not only for new managers but also for their teams. Employees often face the same challenges; however, with the right strategies, they can turn these challenges into personal and professional growth opportunities.

Leadership transitions are often challenging for both new managers and their teams. In many organizations, employees grapple with leaders who appear distant, lack vision and struggle to collaborate effectively.

These issues are increasingly common and can stem from a lack of leadership acumen or an overwhelming adjustment to the new role. In this article, we will analyze the root causes of these challenges and propose a four-point plan to help new managers overcome these obstacles and become effective, inspiring leaders.

Let’s explore the detrimental effects of viewing employees as costs and how a shift in management and reporting can realign incentives to foster a more skilled, motivated, and efficient workforce.

In a world that incessantly promotes accumulation — of knowledge, skills, and possessions — it's crucial to recognize that self-improvement isn't just about adding new elements to our lives. Genuine growth often necessitates a different approach: subtraction. By pinpointing and eradicating the negative behaviors and habits that hinder us, we lay a strong foundation for meaningful and sustainable improvement.

Whether you're looking to rally your team, win over a client, or make people love you, storytelling can be your secret weapon.

Employee engagement is a crucial component and the backbone of a successful organization. Engaged employees are more motivated, productive, and committed to their work, which leads to higher performance and lower turnover rates.

Several trends are reshaping how organizations operate and manage talent. One such trend is 'quiet hiring' — a company filling job openings with current employees without publicizing vacancies.

Effective project management is crucial for any team aiming to deliver results efficiently in today's fast-paced business environment. This approach is beneficial for improving collaboration, meeting deadlines, and enhancing overall team performance.

As a high-performance coach specializing in helping executives and business owners enhance their capabilities, I see the evolving role of AI in job searches as presenting both challenges and opportunities.

A few months ago, I found myself in the middle of a workshop with 72 eager executives, all facing the same challenge: managing their growing responsibilities without getting buried under an avalanche of tasks.

Imposter syndrome—a psychological phenomenon in which individuals doubt their accomplishments and harbor a persistent fear of being exposed to fraud—is a formidable obstacle that many professionals face, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.

In an era where the average tenure at a job is diminishing, dedicating 20 to 30 years to one company is not just commendable—it's a rarity. It's a testament to loyalty, resilience, and the ability to adapt to changes within a single organization.

Imagine this scenario: You're going about your day, and suddenly, your phone lights up with a call from an unknown number. Curiosity piqued, you answer. On the other end of the line, a voice makes an offer that sounds like the plot of a movie: a chance to inherit a 50 million dollar estate.

For many ambitious professionals, the C-suite appears just one step away, yet this final step often proves the most elusive. Here's how to bridge that gap . . .

Confidence is a critical part of your success. You'll need it selling, networking, connecting, negotiating, presenting, on projects, team-building, in meetings — I can go on forever. It's a major part of your business life.

The FADE CYCLE is a quality performance model and a simple methodology for business improvement. I often use it with clients to help them grow their businesses or initiate a major career change.