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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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Emotion vs. Response
When something goes wrong, how do you respond? Do you lash out? Do you hide? Do you take accountability or assign blame? Having a solid...
Lisa Pickard
Aug 9, 2024
236 views
0 comments

Happy New Year!
Welcome, 2024! Rather than start a list of resolutions I know I won't keep, I'll continue the promise to stay true to myself: Make...
Lisa Pickard
Jan 1, 2024
232 views
0 comments

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...
Lisa Pickard
Nov 1, 2023
342 views
0 comments

Oops!
I was suffering from wishful thinking and an inability to read the calendar when I declared my excitement for the end of Daylight Savings...
Lisa Pickard
Oct 30, 2023
166 views
0 comments


Hot air
There's a delicate balance between being prepared to speak and missing an opportunity to contribute, especially when we feel a power...
Lisa Pickard
Oct 23, 2023
200 views
0 comments


Breaking the code
Many activities come with a secret language. If you've ever been to Starbucks, In-N-Out, or been around a horse person (yes-we, we...
Lisa Pickard
Oct 11, 2023
215 views
0 comments

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): Get to the point!
Today’s work environment is continually bombarded with emails, calendar invites, and meetings. Time has become a valuable commodity that...
Joe Pickard
Oct 4, 2023
204 views
0 comments


Which way?
Knowing your audience makes all the difference in how you give directions. Using street names for an out-of-towner or colors for someone...
Lisa Pickard
Sep 28, 2023
205 views
0 comments

Hear this
Leading and listening go hand in hand, but how we take action on what we hear determines what kind of a leader we are. Listening on its...
Lisa Pickard
Sep 20, 2023
156 views
0 comments

Jot it down
Joining a new team as a leader or teammate brings together multiple skills at once, often while working outside your comfort zone. It can...
Lisa Pickard
Sep 18, 2023
161 views
0 comments

Taking chances
Some ideas are better than others.
Emma Pickard
Sep 12, 2023
161 views
0 comments

We are what we think
We know we can't control what others think or say about us. We can control what we put out in the universe. Any negative judgments we...
Lisa Pickard
Aug 3, 2023
195 views
0 comments

Communication routines
Leadership can feel like a hamster wheel of catching your team up on what was said and trying to keep them up to date on what's about to...
Lisa Pickard
Aug 2, 2023
181 views
0 comments


Strike a pose
Body language says so much more than many of us realize. Nothing communicates your intention (real or perceived) like slouching and...
Lisa Pickard
Jul 24, 2023
175 views
0 comments

Directions
Some directions come from a map, others from a boss, a manual, or a parent. If you've ever assembled boxed furniture, you can appreciate...
Lisa Pickard
Jul 18, 2023
162 views
0 comments

The full story
Leaders often keep more on their plates because it is easier to do it themselves than to teach others. Sometimes, an effort is made to...
Lisa Pickard
Jun 13, 2023
164 views
0 comments

Plan and Pivot
Every project needs a clearly communicated plan. It must also be ready to pivot for the greatest chance of success. Plans are like...
Lisa Pickard
Jun 12, 2023
151 views
0 comments


Riptide
When new leaders join established organizations, the transition can sometimes feel uneasy. There's a melding of new and old ideas, but...
Lisa Pickard
May 10, 2023
159 views
0 comments


In the mix
It might be easier to comment on the fringe of a meeting, to a colleague in a corner, or after the discussion, but that's not where the...
Lisa Pickard
May 2, 2023
220 views
0 comments

Playing with bubbles
Communication comes in many forms besides words: body language, tone, volume, timeliness, emotion, listening, and more. What happens if...
Lisa Pickard
Apr 26, 2023
242 views
0 comments
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