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Leadership and Life Blog
Quick tips, ideas, and stories that won't take much time to read and might help you consider new ways forward. We will cover leadership and life topics, which will be honest, vulnerable, and, at times, probably controversial. Feedback is welcome. The views expressed are those of the authors, and while we encourage debate, we ask for respect in any comments. If there are topics you'd like covered, we take suggestions too!
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![Lead yourself first](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_21364e6b5f3b43ac8fb60feec0d1a62c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_21364e6b5f3b43ac8fb60feec0d1a62c~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Jul 22, 2024
Lead yourself first
Are you struggling with job satisfaction or can't find the right next steps? The best place to start is YOU! If you are waiting for your...
234 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_3104636ef2c24c0286c38dc84b5458ee~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_3104636ef2c24c0286c38dc84b5458ee~mv2.webp)
![Realize](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_3104636ef2c24c0286c38dc84b5458ee~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_3104636ef2c24c0286c38dc84b5458ee~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Nov 20, 2023
Realize
Over the last year, I've tagged my posts with #Forward. It was chosen as my reminder to be intentional each day, focusing on working...
251 views0 comments
![Atlas Gray turns 1!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_5fd76f41be7445a79428609c14c3c474~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_5fd76f41be7445a79428609c14c3c474~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Nov 1, 2023
Atlas Gray turns 1!
Happy November! Today marks the first anniversary of Atlas Gray. When I think back to last November, my plans, and what has changed, I'm...
340 views0 comments
![Superhero or super YOU](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_e1a844a6251a4f21938f65d32d186345~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_e1a844a6251a4f21938f65d32d186345~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Oct 31, 2023
Superhero or super YOU
Happy Halloween! Why dress up once a year to be something you desire? Make a plan and work towards it. Invest in yourself, work to...
236 views0 comments
![Say:Do](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_baafa863bcb2470dbedae0acdce4579c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_baafa863bcb2470dbedae0acdce4579c~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Sep 26, 2023
Say:Do
It's a strange feeling when you grow out of starting something new and doing things the scrappy, not necessarily efficient, but...
249 views0 comments
![Dreams](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_d19c9add461e482e87151c235d5f82f5~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_d19c9add461e482e87151c235d5f82f5~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Aug 16, 2023
Dreams
If you could incorporate some of your passions or hobbies into a paying job, would it bring you more job satisfaction? If you can't...
216 views0 comments
![Find a way](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_b845032b8ad04fc5af726d9a02714540~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_b845032b8ad04fc5af726d9a02714540~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Jul 14, 2023
Find a way
Happy Friday! If I've learned anything while starting my own company, it's that some people will think you're crazy, others will wish for...
250 views0 comments
![When is it enough?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_69acd4c708e24ae6802cc19cc9e88a6f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_69acd4c708e24ae6802cc19cc9e88a6f~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Jul 10, 2023
When is it enough?
Launching a new product or program, or even an idea or proposal, is a balancing act. There will always be room for improvement, but at...
181 views0 comments
![Putting it all together](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_908ab93dd9024f0bb959216abe60c2e7~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_908ab93dd9024f0bb959216abe60c2e7~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Jul 3, 2023
Putting it all together
When you’ve got all the pieces to a puzzle, sometimes it is best to step back and look at the whole picture to ensure everything fits...
151 views0 comments
![Is the train on the right track?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_feb166cac4484f689d36d4ae3208c272~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_feb166cac4484f689d36d4ae3208c272~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Jun 27, 2023
Is the train on the right track?
Feeling stuck with no control is a path to disengagement for good employees. Leaders who grant autonomy with support by encouraging new...
145 views0 comments
![Staying groovy](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_99bb3707445d4114a8c72d731f46c6a8~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_99bb3707445d4114a8c72d731f46c6a8~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
May 25, 2023
Staying groovy
When I started this journey seven months ago, I found my blank calendar almost panic-inducing. Instead of capitalizing on free time, I...
230 views0 comments
![The early days](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_6e03f76693604340a3a3f41c66c07b7f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_6e03f76693604340a3a3f41c66c07b7f~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
May 22, 2023
The early days
One of the best parts about starting a new job or project is the early days when there is an expectation of a ramp-up in knowledge. Ask...
164 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_6b5bc8eaaab647798290c2bc32b71c11~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_6b5bc8eaaab647798290c2bc32b71c11~mv2.webp)
![Does the magic path exist?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_6b5bc8eaaab647798290c2bc32b71c11~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_6b5bc8eaaab647798290c2bc32b71c11~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Apr 20, 2023
Does the magic path exist?
Work folklore leads us to believe that if we put our heads down, do what we're told, and work hard; we'll magically progress down a...
185 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_bf9f56418e5647219aae460ff3f3b7a5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_bf9f56418e5647219aae460ff3f3b7a5~mv2.webp)
![Is your company's past also your future?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_bf9f56418e5647219aae460ff3f3b7a5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_bf9f56418e5647219aae460ff3f3b7a5~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Apr 19, 2023
Is your company's past also your future?
Emerging leaders often look at senior executives as the standard to succeed. They'll emulate behaviors and sayings and structure their...
195 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_8361ddf9dcf24d5392f19f3c6cb62351~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_8361ddf9dcf24d5392f19f3c6cb62351~mv2.webp)
![Details and deadlines](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_8361ddf9dcf24d5392f19f3c6cb62351~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_8361ddf9dcf24d5392f19f3c6cb62351~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 30, 2023
Details and deadlines
Every job comes with some pesky tasks with tedious details and deadlines. There are a couple of approaches to this work: Ignore it Let it...
238 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_8a52d0653cf2432c90b69efe1f3e4be8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_8a52d0653cf2432c90b69efe1f3e4be8~mv2.webp)
![What's next?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_8a52d0653cf2432c90b69efe1f3e4be8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_8a52d0653cf2432c90b69efe1f3e4be8~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 21, 2023
What's next?
If we were 100% ready for the next job or role we took, we'd be fortune tellers. Life and business are unpredictable. Don't wait....
199 views0 comments
![One year later...](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_a3c32d7207354540ac54b62cebf85b53~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_a3c32d7207354540ac54b62cebf85b53~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 20, 2023
One year later...
This time last year, I sat in my living room, slightly mystified and terrified that I had just quit a successful career. I did it because...
380 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_53fde24c99ac498f8ca400982c4730e7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_53fde24c99ac498f8ca400982c4730e7~mv2.webp)
![Shiny objects are not always what they appear](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_53fde24c99ac498f8ca400982c4730e7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_53fde24c99ac498f8ca400982c4730e7~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 14, 2023
Shiny objects are not always what they appear
Many people see success or a finished product and see the shiny, smooth surfaces without much thought of the hours, sleepless nights,...
215 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_ecae234ae0a54b50a413a962815f3f5b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_ecae234ae0a54b50a413a962815f3f5b~mv2.webp)
![Chameleons](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_ecae234ae0a54b50a413a962815f3f5b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_ecae234ae0a54b50a413a962815f3f5b~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 8, 2023
Chameleons
We all want to fit in. So much so that the chameleon effect has us unconsciously mimicking some mannerisms of people we surround...
198 views0 comments
![Ability and desire](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_3b5f3d623d594a59baaab5e02d31967b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_3b5f3d623d594a59baaab5e02d31967b~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Feb 28, 2023
Ability and desire
Not sure what your future holds? That's ok. More companies are expanding career paths. If your organization takes planning out of the...
215 views0 comments
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