My journey from inventing a product in my garage to appearing on national television in front of 30+ million people was a virtual roller coaster! I learned so much from the whole experience and wanted a way to share some of those insights, so welcome to my blog! I believe that everyone can benefit in some way from these Lessons From The Tank!
Let’s Wrap It Up
As the year draws to a close, it’s prime time to don the analyst hat and dive into the highs and lows of the past twelve months. It’s that annual ritual of looking back to move forward (which is one of the few valid reasons for looking back at all.) It’s time to evaluate those successes and failures. It might sound cliché, but trust me, this ritual isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s your secret sauce for leveling up in the coming year.
Shake That Can
If you’re willing to be honest with yourself about what’s holding you back, you’ll often find that the reasons are more likely fear-based excuses. And fear-based excuses are a perfect recipe for regret. So shake that can because there’s something useful in there, even if it’s not exactly what you’re looking for.
The Biggest Flex Is Being Flexible
“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” – George Bernard Shaw. The official Merriam-Webster dictionary lists change as a transitive verb, and I’m not arguing with the authority, but I think of it more as a noun. Change – like gravity – is a constant “thing” in life and…
Put Me In, Coach
Everyone wants a “nice” leader. Someone they can relate to, feel seen and respected by, and who is approachable. But we all also crave a structure that positions us for the win. And sometimes, that “win” might mean a promotion, but it could also mean finding a different job where your skills or personality are more needed and appreciated.
The Question That Saved My Business
“So how open are you to feedback, pushback, and disagreement? It’s a question worth contemplating for a lot of reasons. Allowing for and even encouraging debate in your organization builds trust, increases morale, and raises productivity because it speaks volumes about the value you place on your people and your confidence in them.”
Humble Confidence: How Do You Do That?
In this puffed-up braggadocious world of social media warriors, armchair quarterbacks, and self-appointed experts in just about everything, I feel that, more and more, we’re becoming a people of intolerance and disrespect. Our confidence in our opinions or abilities is at an unhealthy all-time high, producing more skepticism in the world at large.
A Towering Truth About Leadership: It’s The Little Things
“Leaders who are frustrated with team performance but have nothing to do with the team (in my opinion) have nothing to say – at least nothing that anyone is eager to hear. A leader who is willing to get their hands dirty will always have a more loyal following than the one who simply points a clean finger…”
Still Relevant 150 Years Later – Henry Ford Had Leadership Essentials Down To A T
“He was born to farmers of modest means in 1863, but when he died, Henry Ford’s net worth was equal to that of Elon Musk’s today. As America’s second billionaire, the father of mass production, and the Ford Motor Company founder, Henry Ford has a lot to teach us about determination, ingenuity, leadership, and life…”
This Is What’s Missing From Your Resolutions
It’s that time of the year when we set lofty goals and determine that we will do better in the next 12 months – eat better, exercise more, reduce stress, or spend more time with our families. But if you made some New Year’s resolutions, the news isn’t great…But I didn’t drop into your New Year sphere of influence to spoil the party. So, like all leaders, entrepreneurs, and expedition adventurers tend to do, let’s look for ways to beat the odds.
The Cheeseheads Are On To Something
You don’t become a world-class athlete without excessive zeal. You don’t build a successful business or brand without obsessive enthusiasm. You don’t come up with a new idea or invention with entertaining wild and extravagant notions.
So why does the word “fanatic” seem to have a generally negative connotation that most people don’t want to have associated with them?
The Real Deal
Leaders often feel pressure to be the rock in the organization, always appearing to be in control, unphased, and steady. Even if we’re not feeling it, the need to act like everything’s OK and instill confidence in our teams usually wins out over vulnerability. And while I don’t disagree entirely with that approach, I believe it robs us of one of the most essential and fulfilling aspects of effective leadership – meaningful relationships.
A Conversation And A Mini Skirt
You may be familiar with the analogy about good conversations and mini-skirts; both should be short enough to grab attention but long enough to cover the subject. That’s an easy way to remember one of the golden rules of good conversations; be brief but thorough. The rest of the guidelines might be a little more difficult to visualize and recall. Still, they’re just as vital if you want to have better overall communication which is imperative to good leadership and healthy relationships. Here are a few of the best conversation practices I’ve found.