How to become an effective listener (full webinar replay!)

How to become an effective listener (full webinar replay!)

Is this how you look when you're trying to get through to someone else? Worse yet, is this how someone looks when they're trying to get through to you?

We have this misconception that because we "can" communicate, we actually "are" communicating. However, communication (and even more so effective listening) requires great skill to master.

I love what George Bernard Shaw says about communication. He writes, "The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has actually occurred."

Are you frustrated and about to quit? 😤

Are you frustrated and about to quit? 😤

Are you discouraged when small, incremental changes don’t lead to big dividends?

Is it frustrating to have your desired future (job, marital status, education, goals, etc.) a long way away in the distance?

Is it worth it to keep exercising and eating right when the pounds don’t seem to be coming off?

What makes a good leader? 👂

What makes a good leader? 👂

Most people agree -- the top trait that effective leaders share is effective listening!

Why is this? It is because leaders lead people. And to lead people, you need to be able to move them from A to B -- from where they are to where they need to go. So how do we do this? We lead people by effectively communicating with them.

Well, what makes up effective communication?

Don't let bad listening ruin good relationships

Don't let bad listening ruin good relationships

Can you think of any relationships you’ve had that may have been ruined by a lack of clear communication? Perhaps a misunderstanding caused by one party not effectively listening to the other party?


What does it feel like to not be heard or understood? Those feelings can break or significantly hurt a relationship.


And relationships are paramount to life.


George Valiant (of the Harvard Men’s Study) writes, “There are 80 years of evidence that our relationships with people matter, and they matter more than anything else in the world.”


Who wouldn’t want to improve this vital part of their life?

If you’ve ever struggled with figuring out your personal vision, listen to this story

If you’ve ever struggled with figuring out your personal vision, listen to this story

For most people I work with, the process of figuring out a vision for their future can be challenging. My guess is, you may have struggled with this as well.


And while it may be challenging (anything worthwhile is...ANYTHING), taking the time to get clear on a vision for any area of your life that is really important to you is...really important! Why? Well, because a powerful and clear vision provides you with both the direction you need and the emotional fuel or "pull power" you need to pursue and ultimately realize it.


Without a compelling vision, well, it's like the adage says, "If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there." I know many people who fill their lives with an astonishing amount of activity but are devoid of purpose and direction. They are kind of adrift at sea.

Surprising statistics about reading and stress 📚

Surprising statistics about reading and stress 📚

You have probably heard it said; leaders are readers. I agree. Leaders are readers. If you are a leader and don't particularly like to read, let me tell you why this needs to change.

Recently, I came across an article that described the benefits of reading (based upon statistical studies) and was blown away by the impact that reading can have on a person. Here are a few highlights of the benefits of reading.

Be careful! What takes root, takes over

Be careful! What takes root, takes over

Do you have a hobby or something that you are passionate about?

I'm not much of a "hobby" person, but I do have a few things in life that I am slightly obsessive about -- and one of them is my front lawn.

There is just something about coming up my driveway and seeing a beautiful, lush, well-manicured, and geometrically mowed lawn. I know I'm not alone on this one. I've talked to too many guys who share this obsession. It just inspires me and makes me happy to look at it.

Why you should NOT worry about the future

Why you should NOT worry about the future

Can you imagine how you would react if six months before the Covid-19 pandemic someone told you that schools across our country would shut down, churches would be closed to worship, and the economy would grind to a halt?

How would you feel if you knew people would be confined indoors for long stretches, hospitals would have to prioritize who they can treat, masks would be required to go into public spaces, there would be a shortage of coins, and the "tiger king" would become an instant celebrity?

And, all of this would be due to a virus!

You would probably be like, "Yeah. That sounds like the storyline of a good science fiction movie like I Am Legend, but it won't happen in the real world."

Immobilize workplace distraction with these 3 hacks

Immobilize workplace distraction with these 3 hacks

Nearby conversations, background noise, pop-up notifications, and even email alerts are enough to drive anyone crazy at times!

Although many of these are necessary, you CAN effectively manage them to help boost your productivity. There are MANY more distractions that you and I face daily, and we could talk at length about any one of them.

A big THANK YOU to you!

It’s been a while since I’ve taken time to say thank you to YOU. Today, I want to do so. I am so grateful that you have chosen to receive my weekly emails and that we’ve in some way, shape, or form have connected. Perhaps you’ve been to one of our conferences, or engaged in coaching, or have sat in on a class I’ve facilitated. However we’ve connected, I’m glad that we did.

I sincerely appreciate that you have allowed me to share leadership tips, principles, and encouragement with you. Because of you, I can do what I love to do -- inspiring and equipping GREAT people to live a legacy so they can leave a legacy and show the way to the next generation.

How to make your physical workspace work for you

How to make your physical workspace work for you

A few weeks ago, I conducted an informal poll through our social media channels asking the question -- "Do you have a clean desk or a messy desk?"

I asked this question because I've discovered that your workspace is a critical environment to leverage for productivity. Along with your people environment, mental environment, and technology environment -- your physical environment significantly impacts your productivity.

3 Simple Steps to Reengineer Unhealthy Habits

3 Simple Steps to Reengineer Unhealthy Habits

Do you have a habit that you'd love to break? Is there some nagging, negative tendency that is harming your life, relationships, or career?


Your habits will either set you up for success or set you back in pursuit of your goals.


Even though ingrained bad habits can be one of the most challenging vices to overcome, true and lasting change is possible.

What one POW taught me about an unconfined imagination!

What one POW taught me about an unconfined imagination!

There is unlimited capability in an unconfined imagination.


Have you heard the inspiring story of Navy Fighter Pilot Captain Jack Sands?


As a soldier in the Vietnam War, Captain Sands fought, was shot down, and imprisoned as a POW in the dreaded prison of Hanoi. There, he was confined to isolation and placed in a five-foot by five-foot prison cell -- never knowing if he'd be able to see his family, friends, or even the light of day again.


To say he was in some pretty awful circumstances would be a gross understatement.

3 Technology Hacks to Help You Surge in Productivity 🕘

3 Technology Hacks to Help You Surge in Productivity 🕘

A few weeks back, we started talking about the four key environments that you can optimize to increase productivity.

Today, we're concentrating on the third environment -- the technology environment. Your technology has incredible potential to be either a time-saver or a time-sucker. How you leverage it will make all the difference.

The biggest mistake I DIDN'T make. 😲

The biggest mistake I DIDN'T make. 😲

Before launching my business several years ago, I wondered if I had what it takes to build a business. I don't have a business degree -- and I didn't have a surplus of money to make mistakes with.


At times, I questioned my abilities, doubted my capabilities, and wondered if I could build a business that would be profitable -- and one that I would be proud to lead.


Deep down, I had faith that this is what I was supposed to do -- and at times (in particularly rough seasons), it was this faith that I relied on to keep me building an organization that now I am very proud of…

The Power of Infectious Positivity

The Power of Infectious Positivity

Tell me about the narrative running inside your mind.

James Allen says, “A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.”

What kind of things do you say to yourself about yourself?

Often, we say things to ourselves that we’d never let another person say to us. Fear, hurt, dissatisfaction, and discouragement will lead us into some dark places if we’re not careful.

However, the opposite is also true.