The Almanac

Knowing your “why” helps strengthen your leadership

A person’s purpose in life is also known as their “why,” and is the reason something / someone exists or the reason that something is done. Each person’s purpose is unique to them and is based on their individual beliefs, values, personal experiences, etc., My unique “why” was inside me and driving my choices and actions long before I even thought about the concept of purpose.

Debbie Collard

Building a Good Culture Through Operating Principles

E. David Spong

Building trust with a team and a way of operating that reinforces trust is critical for a leader. An operating rhythm helps to establish and cement the culture of the organization more quickly. Our resident Seasoned Leader David Spong provides a compelling example in this Lessons in Leadership column.

Invest in Yourself

Susan Ireland

I have been hesitant to write about this topic because I know what you might be saying to yourself. “Yes, I know investing in myself is important. There is nothing new that she can tell me – it’s just hard to do when I have so many other higher priorities.” But you can create a life that is even more amazing, deeply aligned with your true self, and long-lasting and fun – all that is required is that you slow down, take the time to figure it out – and invest in yourself – NOW.

Feeling Overwhelmed? This simple process can shift your perspective

Debbie Collard

The feeling of being overwhelmed can happen to any of us. It doesn’t matter what your “job” or role is, or what “level” you are in an organization. You can find yourself feeling overwhelmed and helpless to do anything about it. Leaders can feel especially overwhelmed because they often have added demands on their time from bosses, peers and employees.

Get to the Point!

Susan Ireland

How to effectively implement “bottom-lining” in your leadership.

Abundance Versus Scarcity – How Do You Roll?

Debbie Collard

I often work with leaders with a win-lose mindset. They feel they must win, or they lose and someone else wins. This win-lose scenario is a scarcity mindset. With a scarcity mindset it’s difficult to see opportunities.

Miraculous Winter is Transformative

Susan Ireland

You are probably in “winter” if you have decided to end something but don't know what is next. (This decision could be about anything important to you: job, marriage, church, friendship.) This "not knowing space" can make you tired, confused, frustrated, or even anxious – mainly because you think you should "know."

Fuzzy Socks and Other Favorite Things on Your Leadership List

Debbie Collard

I hear from clients all the time that they want to solve a problem, but they resist potential new approaches because they have “tried that on other projects and it didn’t work.” A solution to this dilemma is rethinking our approach to “favorite things.”

Be More Like Nature and Show Your True Self

Bruce Pflaumer

Michael Bruce Image Consulting is part of our community of values-based leaders. We are sharing advice from Founder Bruce Pflaumer to help inspire you to bring your best self to any leadership challenge you face this fall.

Practicing Grace Makes the World Better

Susan Ireland

I suggest we allow ourselves and others some latitude of grace. We can start by assuming that people have positive intent and are trying their best. I’m not saying we shouldn’t hold people accountable, and I am dismayed when we twist definitions to allow abusive or immoral behavior but to err is human.