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Everything I write about is a subject I need to grow in or something that I see colleagues or other leaders struggle in. Communication is something we ALL struggle with at times. The information provided will help you become a more effective communicator.

“The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw Have you ever discussed something intended to be formal and set direction to your team or colleagues only to learn that no one can remember what you said or where they need to go? Unfortunately, this occurs many times when I talk or write. It’s impossible to be an effective leader…

“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible.”Unknown Almost every day, I am either talking about or mentally reconsidering the effectiveness of current vision statements or why there is a lack of statements. Typical discussion and/or thinking involves the use, misuse, and impact of mission and vision statements.  Many times I have conversations with many of my colleagues and create very…

5 STAGES OF CULTURE CHANGE, The Beginning of Coaching for Safe Behaviors

“We can change culture, If we change behavior. If we change behavior, we eliminate incidents”Denis Baker We are all in a position of power—a manager, a team leader, or someone who has the ear of a leader—we can effect change. Culture has a significant impact on everything from safety to employee engagement to productivity. In addition, it gives people a sense of belonging and self-worth in…

“If you wouldn’t follow yourself, why would anyone else?”John C. Maxwell LEADERS ARE PASSIONATE TO LEAD! But when we say we “are passionate” to lead, we usually mean we are passionate to lead others. One thing leaders need to realize is that leadership begins with you. If you can’t lead yourself, you can’t lead others. Why is leading myself more difficult than leading others? Why do I say or…

Do You Have the Integrity to Be An Effective Leader?

The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.” Dwight D. Eisenhower You don’t need to read much to realize that leaders focus intensely on their reputations.  When companies conduct surveys and or assessments, most employees rate integrity as the…

You Won’t Be A Fool If You Approach Culture Change This Way

“Only a Fool Never Changes His Mind”RICHARD BRANSON Everything we do within our professional and personal lives involves change. Everyone one of us (regardless of our position or role) plays an integral part in changing culture.   As people leaders, we need to know how to achieve our change without creating a toxic environment, and we must quickly identify and address all the blind spots (there…

CONSIDER THESE 5 INSIGHTS TO YOUR LEADERSHIP APPROACH IN 2021

“This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.TAYLOR SWIFT If you read my recent blog, “Goal Setting Questions Determine the Path Forward,” then you understand the benefits of putting together well-described goals by following the questioning process below. Xwhere you are now, or your current realityYwhere do you want to go—what will be your finish lineWhenThe date you want to…

GOAL SETTING QUESTIONS DETERMINE DETERMINE THE PATH FORWARD

“A goal without a plan and timeline is just a wish”DENIS BAKER We are finally coming to the end of one of the most challenging years of my life! I bet many of you would say the same.  As I look into the many variable possibilities of 2021, I realize that setting achievable goals is a critical path to achieving success. Many of us feel as if we’re floating in our world, not knowing what will…

WHEN YOU HIT A SLUMP, DON’T JUMP

I don’t sleep, I lay in bed longer than I ever have in years, I get frustrated over the littlest things, people don’t follow the rules and expectations. I think I have fallen into a slump. I ask myself regularly, “is it worth the effort to try and fix this? I’ll answer that in a bit. Baseball players fall into hitting slumps, the stock market hits slumps, restaurants and retail chains have…

Answering These 4 Questions Will Increase Your Future

“Asking the right questions is as important as answering them.”BENOIT MANDELBROT Being a leader in regular times can be a challenge. Being a leader in a crisis can be a complicated challenge. Successful leadership in regular times is hard enough. Trying to figure out what to do during a global crisis is CRAZY! The best approach to embrace the current situation is to do what is right and ensure…

THE PRIORITY OF LOVING AND CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER

As we continue to deal with the current COVID crisis, many people continue to focus on politics and self-right and not prioritize loving and caring for one another.  One of the most significant people dividers is the topic of face-coverings. Regardless of our personal, professional, and political views, face-coverings play a significant role in this crisis. You can read articles on scientific…

AVOID LEADERSHIP FAILURES IN THE 2ND HALF BY EVALUATING YOUR APPROACH AND MAKE CHANGES

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”

Winston Churchill

It is the 2nd half of the Dallas Cowboys game vs. the New York Giants. We have just lost Dak Prescott to a season-ending injury in the 3rd quarter. Ezekiel Elliot just isn’t gaining the rushing yards that he is capable of achieving. There is a 75% chance the Cowboys will lose this game. 

As I…

9 SAFETY CULTURE QUESTIONS WE NEVER THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES

When considering the last few months, if we had been given a glimpse of this crazy year ahead of time, we would have thought the world had gone mad.

I feel It probably has.

There has been a significant change in the safety professional’s approach to influencing the workforce and leadership in safety. For some, organizations have a healthy and sustainable culture indicating that the only…

WHAT KIND OF SAFETY LEADER DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION NEED? To send you in the right direction, I have identified four crucial markers of an effective safety leader.

For every organization that employs people, the safety of the people is a critical part of organizational success.

Safety methods must be fully integrated into the entire organization, from finance down to daily operations. This ensures safety is always being considered regardless of the conversation being had or activities being considered. 

Being a leader in the current year has…

True leaders have to take a stand for what they believe. As a Leader, Will You Stand For What You Believe

“If you wouldn’t follow yourself, why should anyone else?”

John C. Maxwell

Will you to take a stand for what you believe?  

Most leaders won’t! 

I have worked with leaders from CEOs down to the lowest and newest leaders within many types of organizations. With this experience, I can honestly say that many are unwilling to stand up for what they believe. Instead, they will sprinkle…

The words we use can create sparks that can burn down the house. The lyrics from the musical group, “Talking Heads, in their song, “Burning Down the House", sets the stage for this blog.

Your mouth is poison; your mouth is wine.

–The Civil Wars

WHAT WE SAY MATTERS

The words we use can create sparks that can burn down the house. The lyrics from the musical group, “Talking Heads, in their song, “Burning Down the House”, sets the stage for this blog.

My house! Is out of the ordinary

 That’s right! Don’t wanna hurt nobody

 Some things sure can sweep me off my feet

Persist in through challenges and you will find the strength to keep going, and will discover the reward was worth the effort.

“I don’t think I can make it!” 

I used to take my family to a Christian family camp every year. Horn Creek is located in the Sangra DeCristo mountain range just above the city of Westcliffe, CO, and just below Horn Creek mountain. Throughout the years, I would hear stories and recounts of people hiking to various caves, gold and silver mines, and a WWII plane crash. Understanding all of these…