Weekly Posts and Insights
Mastering the Mind: Leadership Presence Through Mindfulness and the Johari Window
In the latest installment of the Resilient Warrior Leader series, I dive into the mental terrain of leadership—where mindfulness meets the powerful framework of the Johari Window. Too often, we push through stress and call it strength. But neuroscience tells us otherwise: chronic stress shrinks our capacity to lead with clarity, empathy, and presence.
Leadership Requires Renewal: 7 Recovery Strategies for Top Performers
I’ve long been fascinated by the human body—its capacity for endurance, resilience, and renewal. It’s truly one of God’s greatest gifts: a self-healing, constantly adapting machine. But like any machine, if we don’t put gas in the tank, oil on the pistons, or do regular 10,000-mile tune-ups, we risk breakdown.
Leadership is no different.
The physical and emotional taxation of leadership is real—and too often overlooked.
Is Leadership Really Dead? (And Why I Still Write About It)
In a time when fear-based, authoritarian leadership styles are resurging globally, this post reflects on the enduring value of authentic, hope-driven leadership rooted in empathy, humility, and service. Despite the current climate, there is a call on leaders and educators to continue nurturing a new generation that leads with compassion, courage, and integrity.
Breaking the Superhuman Cycle: Why Great Leaders Need Rest Too
Many leaders fall into the trap of the Superhuman Syndrome, pushing themselves to exhaustion while ignoring the long-term costs to their well-being and effectiveness. This post explores how dissonant leadership and the constant chase for urgency can lead to burnout, while resonant leadership—rooted in emotional intelligence and renewal—fosters sustainable success. By embracing the Cycle of Sacrifice and Renewal, leaders can model resilience, elevate team performance, and lead with clarity and composure.
The Resilient Warrior Leader: Recognizing Your Stress Persona
As we continue our Resilient Warrior series, it's important to start with self-awareness—understanding our patterns and recognizing how we respond under pressure. When we are overtaxed, overburdened, and exhausted, we often fall into default stress behaviors.
Are you the "Three-Ring Circus" Leader (Chaos Chaser), the "Iron Fortress" Leader (Stoic Under Pressure), the "Tsunami Shield" Leader (People-Pleaser), or the "Pressure Cooker" Leader (Procrastination Strategist)?
The Resilient Warrior Leader: Retool and Refuel for Leadership
The runner trains, the player practices, the warrior studies—so why do we assume that leading in today’s challenging world requires anything less? Leadership today demands more than just assimilation, acceptance and mediocrity — it requires intentional training and practice, just like an elite athlete or seasoned warrior.
Leadership, Babies and Mothers
As we wrap up this fun and light-hearted series, I'm experiencing a range of emotions—not only about leadership and recipes (though I love completing projects!), but also about the upcoming birth of my baby girl (due anytime now) and my late mother’s birthday on March 2.
Strategic Vision Soufflé
A soufflé perfectly captures the essence of a leader’s vision—it starts with a strong foundation, requires delicate preparation, and rises with care and precision to create something breathtaking. Like a great vision, it inspires, stretches boundaries, and demonstrates that with the right balance of ingredients, a remarkable outcome is achievable.
The Leadership Growth Lattice for Your Learning and Development Efforts
According to LinkedIn’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report, employees are more likely to stay at a company that invests in their learning and development—a key strategy as 90% of organizations express concern about retention. The Leadership Growth Lattice offers a simple yet holistic approach, blending job training, mentorship, and leadership development to create multiple pathways for professional growth.
Conflict Resolution Lasagna
Lasagna is best when the layers are well-balanced—don’t rush or skip steps, or the dish (and resolution) will fall apart. Be patient and intentional with each layer.
Serve this Conflict Resolution Lasagna during tense team meetings, one-on-one conversations, or community disagreements. Pair it with empathy and the willingness to find common ground for the perfect harmony.