The Life Lessons of Leadership

My seventeen year old started a part time job in a factory. He was amazed at the ages of those who worked with him. This was a line operation, so whatever one person did, it would impact the rest of the team.


My son came home and explained that he was told to slow down, he was going too fast. He was making the others work too fast, they would get too much done and have to do more on the next shift.

My son was disappointed. He said he never wanted to work in an environment like that when he grew up. He said he was a leader and leaders don’t work slowly, they get the job done and move onto something else. He wanted to be in a motivating, productive and innovative environment.

I challenged him on that thought. If he was the leader of the line, or the plant for that matter, what could he do as a leader to change things? My son thought for a minute and came up with the following:

He would challenge the team to finish in a specific time frame and provide rewards like still get paid for eight hours if they finished in seven. Or accident and mistake free bonuses. This way he could create healthy competition and improve efficiency and productivity at the same time.

I was impressed. Even though his seventeen year old brain said OK to what the team wanted, he was able to step outside and look for alternatives. His next life and leadership lesson will be attempting the change the line...will he try? Or will he be respectful of the team and simply drop hints and examples?

The Culture Interview

Interviewing for new positions or open positions in the company can be an arduous task. Whether it is to fill an existing role or a new position, or to meet an internal or external candidate, the same attention needs to be paid to a very specific detail - company culture.


What is culture? In any company, culture is the way the organization and the players in the organization behave. Culture is how behaviour lines up with values. Culture is propagated by storytelling, passing along information, sharing experiences. An organization and its leaders recognize the behaviour of values and share honestly with their people if they are off the tracks. Leadership is examples, living the culture and modeling the way. It is essential when bringing candidates into the organization that they can fit into the culture and enhance it with their presence.

When preparing to interview, look over the role requirements, the candidate’s history and the experience they bring with them. Questions to prepare can have a somewhat standardized format for all candidates because the questions that follow the original one will lead to more information.

Role requirements are critical to understand. Not only the physical work, also the mental work, leadership and management that will be required. When reviewing this information, having the candidate qualifications nearby can be helpful. This can be part of the question formulation process.

Questions need to include the words that are prevalent in the organization. Every company has a "lingo" of its own. Using this lingo helps the candidate understand the necessary participation and engagement that will be required to be successful in the position. With external candidates, using and defining the lingo can be helpful, providing the candidate with more company information.

Initial questions lead to more in depth behavioural questions. Looking for explanations as to why something occurred or was reacted to in a certain way or how results were obtained can help both the interviewer and the candidate Find common ground.

Many forms of interview processes can reflect the culture. A high team-involved company would benefit from using team interviewing. A highly customer focused company such as a retailer would benefit from seeing the candidate in action, selling on the sales floor or even merchandising. Just as a journalist would be required to show a portfolio, any other candidate can be put through their role in order to see how they would act/react in the organization. This provides the organization with a clearer view of what they will be getting in terms of performance in the future.

After the interview is completed, asking for any culture-based questions can help clarify a potential fit both the organization and the candidate. The candidate should leave with a clear understanding of whether they would be able to work in that company for the rest of their career. That fit would make the difference.

   

Know Yourself

As creatures that think and walk and talk, we often think that we know ourselves.  Self-awareness is a key leadership competency.  Leaders though, know all about that - except do we take into consideration other aspects of ourselves, not just the 'work-leader' characteristics.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I have a healthy body?  Exercise and eat properly?
2. Do I have a healthy mind?  Take time to focus on things other than work?
3. Do I have a peaceful soul?  Find time to meditate or relax and clear the mind?
4. Do I have healthy habits?  Enjoy time with family and friends, travel and explore?

Determine which area needs work and put a plan in place to help yourself move in a new direction.  You will find that you will have more energy, better focus and a clear mind.

Check out Wellness Coaching at Solution Linx Online Coaching to help get you started.

Lead, Follow or....

Having trouble deciding how to handle a situation?  Whether it is at work or at home, even in your community life, there is always one way to handle a situation -

Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way!

You need to decide what role you will take.  Will you be the leader?  Make the decisions and focus the group on execution?  Or will you follow - be the support to another, putting action to the plan?  Or lastly, will you get out of the way - let things happen around you without participating, being involved? 

There will be times when you need to be in each role. Sometimes the role of the leader is to just 'get out of the way' and let the team do what they need to do.  There can even be times when other leaders step up and you get to follow - like it or not - and while that can be a humbling experience, it can also be a space in time that you can observe others, and learn from their leadership and team dynamics.

So consciously decide everyday what you will do - Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way.

Coaches Network

Relationship Coach, Life Coach, Wellness Coach....all coaches!

Connect here - send your logo and a short note about your niche and location, and after review, we will post the details on this blog for others to access. 

Also, posting in a network can help connect clients to coaches once the client has successfully reached their goals and are ready to work in a new area of their life.

If you are looking for a coach - send a quick comment and we will set up a FREE Discovery Session along with finding the right coach for your current needs.

Who Are They Anyway?

B.J.Gallagher wrote the book 'Who Are "They" Anyway?'.  A quick read that really sends home the message that you really own your own destiny, your own decisions and your own place in the scheme of life and work.  Finding "they" is a difficult task - blaming others or circumstances can be easy, but in the end is really only doing yourself a disservice by now owning up to looking in the mirror and taking on blame or eliminating the excuse yourself!  Go on....get rid of 'they' and live an 'owned' life with 'you'.

You Set the Bar

The Bar

Whatever you decide to do and however you decide to do it, you set your own bar.

Will it be high? Or will it be low?

The bar is yours!

'I am wrong', you say. You say the company sets the standard?

Well, I am sure they do? But who is to say that you cannot exceed the expectations set out? Why do you need to be the one who meets not exceeds the level set out for you?

No one will ever know where you set your bar. The point is that You will hold the prize for best in class in your own mind. Your work will be what you stake your reputation on, the bar being the measure by which you build the height of your reputation.

What will you decide to do?

Leadership 2011

2010 Leadercast Event Logo

Is it already time to start thinking about next year?  Well, planning life in cycles, the kids are going back to school shortly so it's time to start planning what is coming up in the next 6 - 12 months.

One of my favourite events is called "Leadercast" - put on by Giant Impact out of Atlanta, Georgia.  The 2011 event will take place on May 6th - and it can be picked up by simulcast around the globe.  Last year there were over 65,000 participants due to technology and like-minded individuals finding a place to connect and grow as leaders - for themselves, their businesses and their communities.

Stay tuned here (read as 'subscribe to this blog or follow me on Twitter @linxcoach) to be kept up to date on who will be speaking and inspiring the world next May.

The theme for the new year will be 'Voices of Change'.

Get Inspired

With my past experience and surfing the Internet, I have always looked for sites or businesses that inspire me.
I was fortunate enough to meet a wonderful leader named Don Soderquist.  He now operates a leadership center in Arkansas.  It is called the Soderquist Center and their philosophy is quite straight-forward:

'No matter what business you are in, values matter'.

As simple as it sounds, it is not always true.  The Soderquist Center provides many services, and best of all, it provides a newsletter that keeps you focused on developing your leadership through the examples of others.

Take a few minutes and surf the site, you can connect with them on Twitter or Facebook, or just check back every once in a while to see what's going on.  This is not a paid blog.  I am sharing my resources with you!

The Letters of LEAD

Lead - looking up LEAD in Webster's Dictionary, you will find an abundance of definitions for the word.  All have to do with guiding, being in front, directing activities.  None of the definitions take apart the letters that make up the word lead and apply the actions to it.   For example:

L stands for listen
E stands for encourage
A stands for action
D stands for decision-maker

or...in another set...

L stands for learning
E stands for empower
A stands for able
D stands for delivers

What are the letters of LEAD for you?  Add and share - would love to compile as many as possible!

Professional Success Coaching Relationship

A coaching relationship is a two-way street and when Solstice Group Coaching becomes a participant in  a relaotionship with you, the client, your role will be focused on making success coaching time a priority. Professionall Success coaching participants will connect to the answers that are within themselves - looking to become a more authentic leader, a better mentor, to change old habits and develop new ones, to buildd a successful business, and to finally, create the life they want to live. 

When participating in professional success coaching, clients are prompted to be honest and look inside themselves for the answers. Clients should be prepared to be open-minded when offered creative suggestions and be ready to change if necessary. Professional success coaching focuses on leadership, although clients do not necessarily have to be a CEO or bear any title to act like a leader every day of their lives.


Connect with Solstice Group Coaching to learn how Professional Success Coaching can move you and your business toward the vision you have for the future.

Leadership and Life Connect

Visit Solstice Life, the sister blog to this one!
Discover personal growth, learn to be authentic, share experiences in development, growth and simply the turning points in life.

Recent posts include:

• Stakes or Steaks
• Life Lessons from a Dental Hygenist
• Things You Never Knew About Kids...
• Take a Chance
• Be a Role Model

Share your thoughts - would love the feedback and the followers!

It's My Birthday!

My Gift to You!

Yes, today I move along the timeline to start a new year in my life. I try to take time at the beginning of the year to map out what I would like my goals to be, then on my birthday I check-in with myself to see how I am doing.

So far this year, I am behind on 2 goals and ahead on 3.  Not bad (last year was worse).  I have left behind some toxic emotional baggage that was affecting how I led myself and feel lighter and better for it.

I thought I would leave a gift here for you....just something to think about.

Find Power...

In your mind

Learn from mistakes and move forward

Look for opportunities to grow

Take a chance and do something new

Find Power...In your body

Push your boundaries of strength

Tap into your energy stores

Eat right and get SLEEP!

FInd Power...In your heart

Think of memorable moments

Say I love you

Be grateful!

Find Power...In your leadership

Be true, authentic

Live gracefully

Follow your dreams.

Get More Out of Your Team

If you want to get more out of your team for any of these reasons:



• Because the number of people on your team has been reduced and yet you’re expected to produce the same or better results.
• Your team is not producing the results that are expected from you. You are concerned that your bosses and/or superiors or other stakeholders and peers are not going to be happy about that.

• Members of your team are undermining each other or worse undermining you, causing conflicts and frustrations for you and you’d like to turn your team in to a well oiled machine...

Then, I’d like to help you squeeze the most out of your team by offering you a special one-on-one "Modern Leadership Mastery Coaching Session".


During this session we will…


• Create a crystal clear vision for the results that you want your team to produce, for the way that you’d like your team to interact with each other and for the kind of people you would like to have on your team.

• Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging your success with leadership and team building.

• You’ll leave the session renewed, reenergized and inspired to create a powerful results-driven team that gets things done so that you can be the office hero and still have a flourishing personal life.


Claim Your Free Coaching Session - send a comment below and answer the following questions:


1. How long have you been in this leadership position?

2. What are the biggest leadership challenges you're facing today?

3. On a scale of zero to 10 how important is it to you to get better results from your team?

4. What are your ultimate aspirations and goals as a leader?

Be sure to also include your name, phone number and email address when you reply so that someone from my office can get back to you and schedule your session within the next 24 to 48 hours.  The personal information you provide will not be posted on the blog - only comments about the blog will be posted!

Looking forward to helping you build the organization visualize everyday!

For more information on leadership coaching visit Solstice Group Coaching.

If You Only Read One Book this Summer....

Robin Sharma has written a number of books.  By far, this one, in my opinion is a must read.
As in all books written as parables or fables, there are places where you can see yourself, characters or characteristics you can relate to but usually not for the entire journey through the book. 

With The Leader Who Had No Title, I was inspired and could see my new self every step of the way.  I have never been to war or had to deal with depression and post-war mental syndromes - a tough and harrowing experience I am certain, but I was able to take the references and apply them to the struggles I have had in my life.  Quite simply, you need to take the journey that life has set out for you.  It is truly the decisions that you make that make the difference in the experiences you will take from the journey.

My favourite part is the tablets.  You will have to read the book to find out.  I have never cried reading a leadership book before....Enjoy!
                                                   

Business Breakthrough...Are Your Ready?

If you’ve been working to grow your business for a while now and things aren’t happening as fast as you want, then I’d like to help you create a MAJOR business BREAKTHROUGH.


Here’s the scoop…


I’ve heard from a lot of small businesses that are having an especially difficult time getting their business to grow fast these days. After hearing about so many people’s struggles, I decided to do something about it…

I’d like to invite you to take advantage of a special, “Business Breakthrough” coaching session where we’ll work together to…


• Create a crystal clear vision for your ‘ultimate business success’ and the “perfect lifestyle” you’d like your business to provide

• Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging the growth of your business and keeping you working too many hours.

• Leave this session renewed, re-energized, and inspired to turn your business into a highly profitable, revenue-generating machine that practically runs itself.


If you’d like to take advantage of this very special, very limited, and totally FREE 30 minute “Business Breakthrough” coaching session, comment below and answer these questions…
1. How long have you had your business?
2. What kind of product/service do you provide?
3. What are your revenue goals for the next 12 months?
4. What was your business revenue over the last 12 months? (ballpark)
5. What do you see as the major challenges holding you and your business back from growing at the pace you want?

6. On a scale of 0-10, how important is it for you to overcome your challenges and achieve your goals today?

7. Full Name

8. Email Address

9. Phone #

10. Time Zone


NO Personal and Confidential Information will be posted to the Blog.  This is for contact only.


Let me know the areas you would most like to work on:
Marketing
Sales Process
Turning Your Team Into High Performers
Cash Flow Strategies
Customer Service
Systemizing & Streamlining Processes
Leadership & Delegation
...Anything else you can think of that will move the needle for your business.


Again, to take advantage of this offer, simply comment below and answer the questions listed above.

Warmest Regards,


Lora
Professional Success Coach
Solstice Group Coaching

TIME OUT

If you have children, you may have put them on 'time out' to have them settle down, or give them time to think.  As adults, we could actually use a 'time out' every once in  a while to actually breathe, relax, refocus and reconnect.  We run so quickly in so many directions, attached to all kinds of gadgets with time slipping away from us.


Look back at your calendar.  When was the last time you took a day (or a weekend) for yourself?  Perhaps went away and relaxed with your partner/spouse/bunch of friends?  Perhaps read a book, front to back in one weekend?  Sat in the park and watched the world go by?


Life moves very quickly and we can easily forget to be who we are because we are so wrapped up in just doing. 


I am heading out to Niagara on the Lake, Ontario Canada this weekend with my husband and 4 other couples. We are going to tour vineyards, see plays at the Shaw Festival, golf and spa (just a bit!). I have been looking forward to this re-connect time all summer!  I wish you the best this weekend....take may advice and take a TIME OUT!

The View Around the Roadblock

Roadblocks pop up - that is a fact.
Whenever we are working on a project or through a change, roadblocks are inevitable.
Roadblocks can come in the form of people and attitudes, financial obstacles, time constraints and sometimes even our own mindset or habits.
How do you get a view around the roadblock?

1. Anticipate everything that could get in the way of successfully reaching your goal or completing the project.  By doing this you can list out where or with whom you may need to spend more time.
2. Devise a strategy to handle each potential roadblock - write down what you will do if this specific roadblock appears.  This will help you act in a stressful time instead of having to think on your feet.
3. Develop a vision of successfully getting around the roadblock.  This will give you confidence that you can do the work, and get to the next step without much delay.

Try this out - let us know how it works for you.

TIME - the un-refillable account

Time is spent, and unfortunately never replenished.

Unlike a bank account, where you can take money out and deposit more back in, time keeps moving, never to be refilled.

Instead of developing a habit of filling up every minute of the day with appointments and events, try building in some flex time.  Flex time would be time for yourself - whether there was spill over from another appointment, time needed to catch up on outstanding items, time for an urgent issue that popped up, or even time to catch up on industry material and education.

Time is finite - you control it.  You need to manage it and not let time manage you.

The What Not to Do Blog

Leadership NOT to Do

Many blogs are written about leadership.  Leadership in action, leadership strategy, leadership tips, examples.  It was hard to find any writing on 'what no to do' as a leader.

There are many stories and examples of what not to do.  What Leadership Not to Do explains is that when something occurs that should not, how can you handle it, what steps could you take to rectify the situation.

Not easy, but the examples are from true life stories told to the blogger - of course with names withheld to protect organizations, individuals and even those who should not be protected.

Add your comments, stories, examples...and don't forget to add what to do if it happens to others!

What's Next? Time to Think About It

If you have not taken a few moment this week to think about what is next, you need to stop everything you are doing and get to it!

Why?

1. You need to consistently look at the future to see where you are going. 
2. Understand if there is a gap between where you are now and how you are going to get to your vision of the future.
3. Determine if you are focusing on the appropriate tasks to get you there.
4. Look at the obstacles that could creep up, and think about some ways to overcome them
5. Pat yourself on the back - looking at the future means you have a plan

Get back to work!  You are on your way:)

Inspiration from Young Leaders

Look around and see who is in your neighborhood.  It is amazing the leadership you will find in your own backyard or on the ball diamond or nearby soccer pitch.  Leadership is in action all around us. 

As adults, we sometimes overlook that one of the main features of leadership is caring.  The ability to look out for others, eliminate perceptions and work towards a common goal.

One particular inspiration is an aspiring athlete.  Though he has been told numerous times that his height may keep him from getting very far, he is out playing his sport every day.  He has built a regime for fitness, cardiovascular improvement, sport-specific skills and found teams to play with that make a difference to his skill level.  He will not allow what others have said to negatively affect his performance.  He actually has set out to prove them wrong.

At the same time as he is out there working, he teaches others to play, takes his time with thier skill-level and approaches each day and each shot as the gift that it truly is to him.  His passion will lead him to his future.  The skills he is acquiring now will make his future a success.

Change is Good, Donkey! Leadership Secrets from Shrek

“Change is good donkey” says Shrek to Donkey on their walk back to the Kingdom with the Princess Fiona, new to their group. Adding whole new dynamics to the Shrek team, the future, the behaviour, the consequences and the rewards. Now Shrek went from being a lonely, mean and terrifying ogre scaring everyone in the forest to having an overly energetic sidekick (that he didn’t want in the first place) to rescuing the Princess from the castle (that was protected by the dragon)and eventually marrying her. And poor Princess Fiona – she had to connect with the reality that she was an ogre by night and a Princess by day. Shrek made her realize that it was good to be who she really was, twenty-four hours a day, not only the Princess. There were many changes in processes and attitudes to accept along the way of a short lifespan in this movie. Shrek prepared himself before he could get Donkey on board with changes. How did they do it? How do you do it?



Change is a process. Changes come about because of a need. Change projects are ‘need-to-do’ not ‘nice-to-do’ projects and are developed with a clear vision of the future. Change processes develop because something is missing or there is something better out there for the organization, the customer, employees, the stakeholders or all of them combined. There will be a measurable difference in results. To develop the change project, analysis of gaps – ‘today vs. the future’ vision needs to be reviewed and understood so that each step in the change process will be effective, efficient and positively forward-moving.


Change can easily be thrust upon you. Are you ready for it? How do you prepare? How do you communicate change? How do you implement and maintain change?


1. Evaluate the Change


You will need to evaluate what type of change is coming your way. Is it a process change, people change, system change, personal change? Or is the change an accumulation of small steps that are progressive?


2. Understand the People Impact


You will need to understand who is involved in the change. Just you? Your entire team? What other stakeholders will be affected by the change? Your customers? Your vendors? Your employees? Your organization? Will the changes or the effects on the stakeholders be positive or negative? What role are the members of your team playing? Who will be happy with the change – embrace and fully execute all components of the project, even become and advocate? Who will be a ‘change-hostage’ – adverse and slow to change? Who will be a ‘change-vacationer’ – go with the flow and pick later how they feel about the change? Who will not last through the change? There may have to be significant changes to the members on the team for the change to last and be successful.


3. Anticipate Roadblocks


Roadblocks will come up in more than one fashion. You will need to run through many ‘what –if’ scenarios to prepare yourself in advance for roadblocks. When you are in the middle of the change process and encounter a roadblock, it will be difficult to properly think it through – you will get into a reactionary mode, so run through the scenarios in advance.


• People Roadblocks – how will you handle ‘change-hostages’? How will you handle the need to increase or decrease staffing? How will you help your customers through the changes?


• Process Roadblocks – how will you prepare for system breakdowns, process improvements that need tweaking for your specific team or area? How will you explain new pricing strategies? How will you react to lack of or overabundance of product?


• Day to Day Roadblocks – how will you handle double-digit increases in business and still happily exceed your customers expectations? How will you handle the lack of control over the flow of merchandise or sales until a new rhythm develops? What will you do to anticipate and avoid future issues?


4. Make a Personal Commitment to Become a Change Agent


Nothing else will matter unless you decide to become a Change Agent. You will need to have a long look in the mirror and assess your own leadership ability and your skills to work through this change. Are you mentally ready for this change? Is your attitude towards this change positive? Are you prepared to face the challenges that come with communicating and implementing change? Are you prepared to change how you do things personally to keep up with and exceed the expectations of the new vision for the future? You need to analyze your own gaps. It may be time to make serious decisions about your role in the organization – are you going to lead change, follow change or get out of the way? What worked in the past will not work in the future – habits, routines, communication methods, even your daily attitude will be tested. Can you handle the tests and anticipate the changes you will need to make for you to truly be a change agent?


You will need to lead your team through the change. Partial commitment will be useless. Use all of the resources available to you to get through the change – past experiences, experiences of others, projections, project plans, timelines, anything that can provide you with support and help you create a solid plan to communicate and implement the upcoming change.


If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got. When you are in a change process, you will need to encourage your team to work in new ways, build new habits, try new activities, develop new routines, and communicate with new members of the team that can provide insight and expertise. How you teach your team to do this lies squarely on the leader’s shoulders. Your attitude will always be reflected in the attitude your team shows to your customers, each other, your vendors, your stakeholders and your organization.


Shrek was very kind to Donkey expressing his belief in change. Change is good, be prepared personally to get the change started from within yourself. As the leader, you will take your team through the change, the roadblocks, the surprises and the rewards. By committing to becoming a Change Agent, you will ensure the successful implementation and empower your team to reach the vision of the future.

Leadership Books Move Your Life Forward

Books Are Everywhere

There are so many books out there to read and with the advent of e-books, even more to come! Throughout this blog I will post books that I have read and recommend for developing the leader within you! As time goes along, I will add more titles. I will even include the leadership books my kids have read that have made a difference to them.



Books are like friends - always there when you need them...always ready to offer new lessons...always ready to help you be your best!

You will find that when I grab onto an author that I like, I inevitably read almost everything they have written.



I like books that have stories associated with them that make them real, and easy reads. My work in leadership development takes me all over to read and build content for workshops, seminars and talks. Books are my foundation, putting the words into action is my life's work.

Join me on my journey. Have a look at my book-friends and enjoy. Oh,...and please submit your titles too!

   Peaks and Valleys - by Spencer Johnson

The Present

    Who Moved My Cheese?

Good to Great - by Jim Collins

   Built to Last

 Rules of the Red Rubber Ball - by Kevin Carroll

   The Red Rubber Ball at Work

  What's Your Red Rubber Ball


 Our Iceberg Is Melting - John Kotter & Holger Rathgeber ( a super story about managing change!)

Leadership and Commitments

To be a leader that has actual followers, you need to be able to demonstrate that you can keep commitments. Keeping commitments builds trust, shows you are reliable and dependable, shows the team that you care about them, and gives a solid example to follow.


Successful leaders realize and keep close to their heart the fact that people remember every action one completes, not necessarily every word. If you say you are going to do something, then do it! Otherwise it is an empty promise or commitment and then come the excuses of "I forgot" or "I ran out of time" etc. Every time an excuse is made, trust starts to break down. As trust breaks down so does your ability to lead.
 A simple way to keep commitments is to only make commitments that you intend to keep. Leadership is not easy and sometimes saying 'no' with a proper explanation will earn you more trust and determine your leadership success than saying 'yes' and no following through.

After you have made a commitment, write it down and keep track of it - whether there is a deadline involved, which you will need to follow up with during and after the course of action, even any roadblocks along the way so that you can understand and learn from your own actions. Do whatever it takes to follow through - your leadership is on the line.
 As a successful leader, you earn trust. By setting a good example in your business, you set the expectation of keeping commitments and integrity. Who wouldn't want to be known for that?

A Point Above the Rest

You Can Be A Point Above the Rest

You are a Leader

You don't need a title to be a leader. Your leadership is reflected in your actions, your values, your words...simply - in who YOU are in your work, your community and your life.

Leadership is an attitude ...and when you are leading a team, their attitude reflects your leadership.
Points of Leadership:

1. Disciplined
2. Decisive
3. Focused
4. Visionary
5. Empathetic
6. Energetic
7. Communicator
8. Sets Example
9. Develops Others
10. Build Teams

We are all leaders, and we can move this world to a new vision of the future.

         

Cool Older Posts: Check These Out!

In case you are new to Leadership Solstice, check out a few of the older posts on this blog.
Focused on leadership, there are funny ones, simple ones and ones that clearly deserve a mention:

• Easy Steps to Networking
• The Drama Queen (or King) at Work
• Leaders Expect Better Results
• Work Life Balance
• Who Do You Spend Time with Everyday?
• Have Courage

As always, feedback and comments are encouraged - let us know what other topics you would like to see and we will focus on satisfying your requests.