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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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![Checklists](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_102d8f0c5ced4463948f1e5a4590d7f1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_102d8f0c5ced4463948f1e5a4590d7f1~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Apr 11, 2023
Checklists
I have always loved a good checklist. I have (or had) a decent memory, but why expend the energy and force myself to remember every step?...
198 views0 comments
![The silence trap](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_bfd59357ac42491db17c8d51eb2704f7~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_bfd59357ac42491db17c8d51eb2704f7~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Apr 10, 2023
The silence trap
Great leaders develop relationships with their teams. These deeper connections often lead to more timely communication and prevent...
317 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_bcd761a8f6b5442a8254d132c10fc52d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_bcd761a8f6b5442a8254d132c10fc52d~mv2.webp)
![Game on](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_bcd761a8f6b5442a8254d132c10fc52d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_bcd761a8f6b5442a8254d132c10fc52d~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Apr 6, 2023
Game on
A static plan implemented with tunnel vision isn't ideal. The best plans are those that create progress and allow for adjustment. The...
205 views0 comments
![Appreciation and recognition](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_cb3fe137e2274002967c5a82ecfe62da~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_cb3fe137e2274002967c5a82ecfe62da~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Apr 3, 2023
Appreciation and recognition
Nearly every job requires asking someone to do something and to be asked something. It is the nature of work. The ask is necessary, but...
288 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_1041d2fedc84409eafc48da7610f1ce6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_1041d2fedc84409eafc48da7610f1ce6~mv2.webp)
![Prioritizing Mental Health](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_1041d2fedc84409eafc48da7610f1ce6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_1041d2fedc84409eafc48da7610f1ce6~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 29, 2023
Prioritizing Mental Health
Physical and mental well-being isn't just a corporate talking point. It should be woven into a company's fabric like laptops are handed...
184 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_21d82d011bf74680af70c2a2f62058f6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_21d82d011bf74680af70c2a2f62058f6~mv2.webp)
![Effective and Efficient Teams](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_21d82d011bf74680af70c2a2f62058f6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_21d82d011bf74680af70c2a2f62058f6~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 27, 2023
Effective and Efficient Teams
Managers and employers that uphold and reward hours of work instead of efficiency promote a system of overwork. Instead of prioritizing...
214 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_43dd5b22dcf24f4b834b39f4ebd370fa~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_43dd5b22dcf24f4b834b39f4ebd370fa~mv2.webp)
![Everything's Fine](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_43dd5b22dcf24f4b834b39f4ebd370fa~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_43dd5b22dcf24f4b834b39f4ebd370fa~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 23, 2023
Everything's Fine
Creating a positive work environment isn't smiling and telling your team everything will be fine. An actual positive environment...
177 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_55b98bb7a4a840699d83f67a5d176aa4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_55b98bb7a4a840699d83f67a5d176aa4~mv2.webp)
![Common ground](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_55b98bb7a4a840699d83f67a5d176aa4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_55b98bb7a4a840699d83f67a5d176aa4~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 22, 2023
Common ground
Relationships are vital in successful teams, but sometimes finding common ground on critical issues can be tricky, causing friction or a...
198 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_a7839a25f05944cb961cc6980201cac7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_a7839a25f05944cb961cc6980201cac7~mv2.webp)
![No clear answer](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_a7839a25f05944cb961cc6980201cac7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_a7839a25f05944cb961cc6980201cac7~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 16, 2023
No clear answer
Being a senior leader often means making decisions that don't have clear answers. It may also involve a limited timeframe. The time...
343 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_61d2b2c34dc249cb8cc791ada3bcf1b4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_61d2b2c34dc249cb8cc791ada3bcf1b4~mv2.webp)
![Alignment](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_61d2b2c34dc249cb8cc791ada3bcf1b4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_61d2b2c34dc249cb8cc791ada3bcf1b4~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 13, 2023
Alignment
It matters when driving your car and is also essential for your team. It sounds easy, but if you were to take each team member, put them...
179 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_085af197165f40e29958f3a88da52f38~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_085af197165f40e29958f3a88da52f38~mv2.webp)
![First dates and new teams](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_085af197165f40e29958f3a88da52f38~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_085af197165f40e29958f3a88da52f38~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 9, 2023
First dates and new teams
Are you leading a new team? There is undoubtedly apprehension for you and your team. It is like a first date where no one knows what to...
194 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_e110a982971e461fa402728a454a5374~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_e110a982971e461fa402728a454a5374~mv2.webp)
![Take the hard road](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_e110a982971e461fa402728a454a5374~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_e110a982971e461fa402728a454a5374~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 6, 2023
Take the hard road
Unpredictability is a part of leadership (and life), as is the need to efficiently change course and help others respond to changing...
208 views0 comments
![All of us, making us better](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_f69f50c1bd1247dbb858a37fc260256a~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_f69f50c1bd1247dbb858a37fc260256a~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Mar 1, 2023
All of us, making us better
Leadership and management are about celebrating what works, not just improving what doesn't. There are a ton of brilliant examples out...
212 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_256fdccbdcf545dfabd2d31771aa7011~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_256fdccbdcf545dfabd2d31771aa7011~mv2.webp)
![Train the brain](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_256fdccbdcf545dfabd2d31771aa7011~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_256fdccbdcf545dfabd2d31771aa7011~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Feb 27, 2023
Train the brain
We all learn in different ways. If you’ve ever seen an incredibly effective trainer or sports coach in action, they give detailed...
228 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_5c1acdfb37db48d99b50956dc755dcce~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_5c1acdfb37db48d99b50956dc755dcce~mv2.webp)
![Problem solvers](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_5c1acdfb37db48d99b50956dc755dcce~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_5c1acdfb37db48d99b50956dc755dcce~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Feb 22, 2023
Problem solvers
If you solve everyone's problems, you are a doer, not a leader. Leaders in healthy learning environments inspire others to identify...
230 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_04b76a04118a4bf396c17c47fbb05911~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_04b76a04118a4bf396c17c47fbb05911~mv2.webp)
![One-on-One's](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_04b76a04118a4bf396c17c47fbb05911~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_04b76a04118a4bf396c17c47fbb05911~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Feb 21, 2023
One-on-One's
Building relationships and establishing trust as a leader is crucial in developing effective teams. Adhering to a regular schedule of...
233 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_0cdf917febed40e79ca49d18822b1ba1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_0cdf917febed40e79ca49d18822b1ba1~mv2.webp)
![Skills, Paths→Forward Together](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_0cdf917febed40e79ca49d18822b1ba1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_0cdf917febed40e79ca49d18822b1ba1~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Feb 14, 2023
Skills, Paths→Forward Together
Leaders who value the skills of their team don't need to worry about gaining all the knowledge themselves. Ongoing learning is critical,...
160 views0 comments
![Building blocks](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_725cc1fc9db04e11878cb5a0da4a6955~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_725cc1fc9db04e11878cb5a0da4a6955~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Feb 13, 2023
Building blocks
Leadership is a never-ending learning opportunity. Each experience teaches us a new way to prepare for the next possibility or challenge....
207 views0 comments
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_beb9e8df94a94e31bcb02ec9f352da7c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/e9c7ba_beb9e8df94a94e31bcb02ec9f352da7c~mv2.webp)
![In the moment](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_beb9e8df94a94e31bcb02ec9f352da7c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/e9c7ba_beb9e8df94a94e31bcb02ec9f352da7c~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Feb 7, 2023
In the moment
Every day, leaders find themselves in situations that provoke emotional responses. Stress and fatigue can heighten these responses, and...
264 views0 comments
![What am I doing?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e9c7ba_7d5f57265fc24538b5bb256076d18520~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e9c7ba_7d5f57265fc24538b5bb256076d18520~mv2.webp)
Lisa Pickard
Feb 2, 2023
What am I doing?
Do job descriptions and role expectations matter? YES! They create purpose and focus. Stated expectations also create a common language...
189 views0 comments
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