Creating a thriving workplace culture that values diversity, encourages inclusion, and promotes professionalism can be challenging, but it IS possible. With the right tools and strategies, you can create a work environment where employees are highly motivated and productive without dealing with workplace drama or negative employee behavior. Knowing the difference between unproductive venting and complaining versus resolving issues through proactive problem-solving is essential for creating a healthy workplace culture.

What is your leadership style? Are you leading or seeking to control? How would you describe your leadership style? And are you aware of your impact on employees as a leader?

In today’s business climate, business owners and leaders alike are perplexed by and grappling with the challenge of keeping employees. They struggle with employee turnover, high hiring costs, employee drama, unresolved conflicts, and the growing complexity of the virtual workplace with employees working from home but unproductive. (And no, spying on employees is not the answer!)

A couple of years ago, I lectured to a group of business owners on employee engagement. A gentleman gave lavish praise for one employee in particular. In the same breath, he also lamented how difficult it would be to find a replacement to fill her shoes.

The business owner had many reasons for his fondness: "She stayed late whenever asked to get projects done and with amazing accuracy." "She always volunteered to go the extra mile!" "She was super productive!" "She was the first to come to work and the last to leave." "And the best part, she was very popular in the office because she went [...]

Today more than ever, a surplus of talented people exists in virtually every industry around the globe. There is an increase in the average level of education with larger numbers of qualified candidates available for job openings and an increasingly global economy and international presence for many industries. These factors mean you will likely compete against candidates worldwide for positions you apply for. These realities are especially prevalent in many branches of healthcare.

Estimated reading: 5 minutes

It is no secret that communication is key in any relationship—personal or professional. When it comes to effective and authentic leadership, effective communication is one of the most vital tools a leader can possess.

For companies to succeed, their leaders must communicate skillfully—and empathetically—with their employees. And when things get tough or employee performance wavers, these same leaders need to be able to have difficult conversations while also inspiring those they lead.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Last winter, I was driving down the interstate in a blizzard. I could barely see even a few feet ahead. Little did I know I was on the bumper of a revelation. I slowed down, but not soon enough. The snow cleared for a second, and I discovered myself face-to-face with the tailgate of a semi-truck. I swerved to safety, but something caught my eye.

Glaring back at me was a large bumper sticker: “Truckers don’t deserve to be treated like ....” I strained to see the final word. There was none—only a picture of a slab of beef. 

Estimated reading time: 5.5 minutes

Many entrepreneurs begin a business because they have a passion but may not have business experience. And it’s easy for small business owners to anticipate achieving success much sooner than is feasible and lack the staying power to make it successful. In fact, seventy percent of businesses fail after a decade—that’s a staggering statistic.

And even if your business grows, with the Great Resignation, you’ll most likely face the obstacle of finding and keeping quality employees at a reasonable wage. As a business owner, you might depend too heavily on faithful employees when staffing is [...]

Is it possible to balance work and family? Or is work-life balance a myth, an unending and unachievable pursuit?

The average person spends roughly one-third of their life at work, with another one-third spent sleeping. That final chunk of time is all that’s left for everything in our personal lives. And each relationship and area directly and dramatically affects the whole.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

There’s a lot of talk about how we sabotage our personal and professional success. However, the whole concept of sabotage has always rubbed me the wrong way. Are we really our own worst enemy? Do we sabotage ourselves just when we’re about to jump forward into a new level of professional success, health, or personal growth?

If we buy into the concept of self-sabotage, I think we have completely misunderstood our inner journey.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes