I say it every year….I can’t believe it’s over! Is it just me or do the years seem to go by quicker and quicker the older we get? Or perhaps living in a global pandemic, adjusting to and creating new ways of doing almost everything has sped things up…regardless of how quick the year has passed, it’s time to start thinking about your personal “Year in Review”.

I was a chronic new year’s resolution maker…like no other! I would start in early December and write down all the resolutions to be a better person, do better, eat healthier, lose weight….you know, the resolutions that we’ve all wrote down and excitedly jumped into action to reach.

Have you ever tried to convince yourself that life will slow down after this week OR after this big event OR after Christmas OR fall/winter/spring/summer? Then, when it’s all over, something else comes up and you start convincing yourself all over again.

I’ve been absent from blogging over the past several months and there’s good reason. Not that I haven’t wanted to share my leadership thoughts with the world’s most amazing followers, but I needed to step up and start putting my own advice into practice. I drove into a pot hole along my journey and needed to hit the garage for some fixin’ and take the time to pull out my map to reevaluate the route.

If the last two years has taught us anything about leadership, it’s this: In the face of crisis, leaders need to step up and do what’s best for their people…not what’s best for themselves, their ego, their power and control. I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all seen what happens when leaders take the latter route.

In the current social climate, one would most likely think of themselves as unbiased, open-minded, respectful and fair when it comes to gender equality at work.    While society has come a long way in recognizing the power that women bring to the table, it’s no secret there’s still so much work to do.  

Every workplace has those employees that many will label “difficult” (heck, maybe you’ve been THAT person...no judgement here).  Dealing with these unique beings isn’t an easy task and one of the biggest frustrations for many, especially leaders who are responsible in creating and maintain a strong, healthy work environment. 

In my years of making endless mistakes (and boy have I made a lot of them), I have grown to loathe the word “incompetent”.

The last year has sent challenges and lessons that not one of us ever could have imagined let alone still be living it over a year later!

I was a brand new Executive Director and things were going well and nerve wracking all at the same time

Anyone ever felt like there is something “out there” for you in life but you can’t quite figure out what? Have you tried to balance your life but no matter what you try it just ain’t working?

We ‘ve all made the mistake of thinking that listening was easy peasy. We just need to sit there and be present, right? WRONG!

The level of freedom you feel when you release others opinions of you and start living life on your terms is pretty damn powerful! We’re all guilty of worrying too much about what other people think of us.

 I hear from WAY too many women that they aren’t leaders because they don’t have the education, background, confidence, etc. So being asked to speak on this topic was a gift.

I always knew that I wanted to be a leader…but not just any leader (because anyone can be a leader). I was going to be “thee leader”…the big cheese…the big boss..the head honcho…I was going to change the world!

Fearless female leaders need 2 things — a mentor and a cheer squad!

I have always encouraged open communication with my employees and have always viewed crying at work to be a sign of passion and trust…. but not by the leader of the organization!  This was a first for me and it left me questioning whether showing my emotional side was right or wrong!

After a crazy busy morning (which had become my norm in those days) of getting five kids out the door and taking work calls before I even left the house, I finally dragged myself into work.  Well not quite. As I was opening my car door, I realized I had pulled into the parking lot of the job that I had left a year before.

“You probably know a few people like me. We are often described as “cold” and “aloof,” but are also considered “low drama” and great problem solvers. We are rarely known for our suave people skills.

Twenty nineteen. I’ve been trying on this new year name for a few days now and I gotta tell you , I don’t like it.