During a ride on my horse Frescoe yesterday, I made a big mistake. I’m sharing it here since it’s a good leadership lesson and can also impact business performance. Here’s what happened: It was a gorgeous morning and I was eager to ride out on the trail. I tacked up, jumped on and off we…
As I watch the tulips bloom, the apple trees sprout their buds, and tiny stalks of cattails rise in the wetland, I am reminded of the persistence of life. Nature always seeks more life. Plants reach for the best soil, light, and water for optimal growth. Grazing animals search for the best grass, carefully select…
Between my horses and my business, I am frequently challenged to find the balance between trust and the need for control and “certainty.” Or some semblance of perceived safety! As an entrepreneur, you must take risks. You must stay open to possibilities and flexible in approach. And at times, this does take a leap of…
Everyone knows that confidence is a key element for success in anything in life. However, confidence expands and contracts. Confidence can be situational and conditional. Confidence is gained over time and may be lost in an instant. So, I explored the concept of confidence during some recent time in the quiet. I asked myself a…
Happy Spring! After a long winter, it’s time to celebrate the season of rebirth, growth and renewal. This is a perfect time to check in with yourself and your business to be sure that you are the CONFIDENT, EFFECTIVE, BALANCED, and BOLD leader you need to be to achieve your goals. Horses never willingly follow…
Commitment is the key to success in anything. When you’re committed: • You make decisions • You take action • You give your all • Others feel it • You get results. As your commitment deepens and grows, you expand your world and new possibilities open… Most of the time. But what if you’re committed…
Fear is GOOD Yes. Fear is good. If you can feel fear, it means: • You’re alive • Your instincts are working • Your senses are sharp All top performers feel fear. It creates an adrenaline rush and pushes them to deliver their best. Fear is an opportunity for growth. If you accept it. The…
This weekend I had an epiphany while walking in nature. The wind was brisk. Leaves fluttered to the ground around me creating a carpet of browns, reds and yellows. I paused for a moment, revelling in the smell of damp leaves, the breeze cool on my face. Gazing up at the naked branches I realized…
“Sure-footedness” is critical to business success. Great trail horses and ranch horses are often described as “sure-footed.” They rarely misstep on rough terrain and are trusted partners. Do you walk with confidence? Are you sure of each step? With certainty, you walk forward with ease. You find a rhythm to your work and know what…
(Originally Published in the Piedmont Business Journal, July 2012) Everyone in business, including for-profit and not-for-profit entities, needs to understand the concept of a “value proposition.” In simple terms, a value proposition is a statement that convinces someone that you are the one to call, the place to go, the must-have product, or the “go-to” resource.…