Blog
Don’t Be Afraid of Real Conversations with Employees
Employee engagement feels elusive… but all you need is to have the right conversations to find out what really drives your team.I speak for a living. And the biggest question I get when corporations want to bring me in to speak to their audiences is this: “When you get on...
Entrepreneurship isn’t for the Weak
Hustle porn tells us that “Entrepreneurship isn’t for the weak!” And, it’s true: it’s not.But it’s also not for the strong either. Being single-focused, blindered, unwavering won’t get you far. Or, at least it won’t keep you there when it does.As a serial entrepreneur and life-long mentor and coach to...
Fire the Thief of Joy
“You are strong, for a girl.”“You did well in that class, for someone not so good at math.”“You look nice in that dress, definitely better than what you wore last time.”Ah, there’s nothing like a well-meaning compliment that runs face first into an insult. I like to give the benefit...
The Mondayest Monday of All
The Mondayest of all Mondays is the Monday after vacation.I woke up this morning to that very Monday. I've just gotten back from a lovely vacation, refreshed and rested, and then Monday just came and smacked me in the face.Except I love Mondays. Really, I do.I used to hate them,...
I Love to Fly
I love to fly.Like, I really, really love it.Now, if you’re reading this and you have a serious fear of flying, I’m not going to waste your time with tips and tricks, diminish the exquisite immediacy your phobia, or try to negotiate with you about why you are more (so,...
Be The Hero Of Your Story
If you aren’t the hero of your story, it’s just not the right story.I’ve always believed this. So many of us are busy trying to shoehorn ourselves into someone else's idea of what we should be, who we should be, how we should be.But if you aren't the hero of...
Embrace Your Inner Unicorn
Fun fact: I’m actually a unicorn. Look, you can see it here, revealed in my shadow.What makes me a unicorn? I give a shit.And, I don’t just give a shit. I give a metric fuck ton of shit.I’m a metric fuck ton shit giver unicorn.I’ve always been an all-in kind...
When You’re “Not Good Enough”
Last week I was told that I’m not good enough. Twice.One of those people looked me in the eye and told me that she knew I had work to do, saw my future, believed in me, and sat with me to help me map out how to get there.The other did...
When I Was Held Back
When I was held back, I didn’t know it. It’s not abundantly apparent to those of us who believe we are pursuing the right path.Let me explain.I’m out in Denver at a conference for people like me who speak for a living. I was at this same conference this time...
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Years ago, I was at a posh little restaurant on the fancy isle of Nantucket.“You’ve got to get their Big Mac! It’s the best thing ever! You won’t believe how much it’s just like a real Big Mac!” implored my friend and island host.And it was. If you had blindfolded...
Overcome a Fear of Public Speaking
I’m often asked in the book signing line after I get off stage how I got so comfortable speaking in front of thousands of people, especially when the fear of public speaking surpasses a fear of dying for many.“Speaking in public terrifies me,” they’ll admit.I would argue that it doesn’t....
Consonance Matters at All Ages
It was first obvious during the 2018 Super Bowl when viewers saw something surprising aside from the Eagles beating the Patriots, the ads were different. Normally funny (and even raunchy) bits made to promote products like beers and cars, the ads in 2018 featured a significant shift to storytelling arcs...