We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know

December 8th, 2011

“Every generation has the obligation to free men’s minds for a look at new worlds…to look from a higher plateau than the last generation.”

~Ellison Onizuka, Astronaut-Challenger

How does one navigate the treacherous crossing from the Information Age to the Inspiration Age?  How can you know for sure if your leadership is “sea-worthy” enough to withstand the tremendous sea change now transforming business in ways we can only begin to imagine.  With exponentially faster technology and a generation concerned with a moral imperative for higher consciousness in business, the inevitable transformation is already influencing leadership and accountability.  We are all striving to see past the horizon and peer into the future to anticpate vast complexities before they arise.  One thing is certain, the very fabric of time is changing.  Leaders must understand the scope of changes and adapt to meet them. Read more »


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Profit, Inspiration, and the Future

November 23rd, 2011

Traditionally, CEOs focus primarily on growth and profit, and understandably so. This book offers an inside look at uniquely inspired leaders who live by their values to achieve growth and profit in their own unique way. As Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Less Traveled,” so beautifully depicts, we live in a life of difficult choices. In all of our decisions, in life and business, there is always a consequence of choosing which fork in the road to take:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Read more »


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Leading from Essence

November 3rd, 2011

The Brilliant Leader Model™ shows a correlation between the leader’s internal resources and the outer circumstances which he or she faces. Ignoring this link can lead to an assortment of organizational problems, failures, poor attitudes, and bad relationships. Paying attention to the feeling inner side of the leader is the fastest way of creating value in the outer world of results. The ancient wisdom “As within, so without” works personally in life and professionally at the office.

The Brilliant Leader Model™ holds a reverent space for the value of a leader’s personal reflection time and spirituality. During scheduled quiet time, a leader demonstrates rejuvenating self-care which ultimately spills over into business empowerment, with an attitude of service towards others. While the soul is impossible to describe, we know its vibrant, expressive, and transformational qualities. What some may call their most powerful inner resource “potential,” the model refers to it as “core essence.” Read more »


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3 Lessons Learned From a Brilliant Executive: Steve Jobs

October 25th, 2011

I recently heard about a book called “The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth”. The premise is that the Geeks, the Nerds, and the folks that were not very popular in High School have often become very wealthy. You can think of numerous examples: Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, the Google guys – Larry Page and Sergey Brin. These brilliant minds are behind numerous tech related, web-based, social networks, programs and software that have really changed our lives. Generally, those that are the most successful in life are like most of us. They have played by the rules, done the right thing, and had a few wild ideas or occasional experiences along the way. Read more »


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Leading on Shifting Sand

October 20th, 2011

Traditional leadership models focus on action, performance, and results. Leaders scrutinize and streamline critical external resources and activities to get results in ways that are better, faster, and smarter. While these essential objectives will always be relevant to business, a new leadership paradigm is emerging for the 21st century and beyond. While leadership models of the past did not fully address the human side of leaders, we now know it to be the most critical element in creating the ultimate, sustainable success for an organization. In business, the threat is no longer just the competitive “jungle out there” but also the lack of clarity within the leader. With longevity and legacy on their minds, CEOs are now adopting holistic models where thriving replaces surviving, where values of inclusion and collaboration replace the old school of exclusion and competition. In the wise words of Steve Green, a CEO from Savannah, Georgia, “Leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room but getting the smartest people in the room.” Read more »


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Blocks to Brilliance

September 22nd, 2011

My clients often seem unaware of how they allow their shadow-side to eclipse their brilliance. They are so focused on ‘getting it done’, checking things off the list, making the Board meeting, and hitting their numbers that they lose sight of their inner compass that will lead them home. They keep looking for external directional signs which often lead to thinking and playing small.

I have observed some common blocks that consistently sideline top leaders playing a competitive game rather than a collaborative one that values the ‘we over me’ mentality. You can remove these obstacles if you are familiar with any of the four blocks to brilliance below! Read more »


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Introducing The Brilliant Leader Model eBook!

September 8th, 2011

I’ve had a book in my head and heart for years. The challenge has been how to get this book out of my head and into the hands of those who can benefit. Due to favorable events and circumstances, I’ve been able to do just that! I’m happy to announce the book in my head can now be a book in your hands with the release of The Brilliant Leader Model.

Why “The Brilliant Leader Model” eBook?

I have heard a common theme as I’ve listened to clients for the past 10 years.  They look good from the outside but often feel empty within. They struggle with how to address that ‘hole in their soul’, as one client described it.

We see structures, institutions, and organizations that have been in place for decades begin to disintegrate or change form. The world-wide economy is imploding, entire governments are crumbling, and leaders are being ousted. Read more »


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Persistence not Perfection

August 12th, 2011

I think we all need to get over ourselves and the desire, need, and pursuit of perfection.  It’s really just a cop-out and a reason to not move or an excuse for not ‘getting it right’.  If we leave no room for spontaneity, creativity, and fluidity in our lives, we can lead pretty boring lives.  The pursuit of perfection often leaves us feeling depleted and deflated.   It’s just a never ending cycle of ‘raising the bar’.

Many people never start their own business, go for that promotion, write that book, or accomplish whatever their dream is because of their fear of failure or ridicule.  So what if you don’t get it right the first time?  Most successful CEOs and famous business people failed numerous times before they tasted success.  I once heard Ted Turner had 17 failed Read more »


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Four Memorable Quotes from Real-Time Leaders

July 8th, 2011

I’ve had the delightful experience of being able to interview inspirational CEOs and business leaders over the past months as I prepare for my upcoming book. I continue to be amazed and inspired by their stories, their competence, and generosity. I leave every interview feeling energized and inspired and I want to “be better” just by hearing their story.

Below are a few of the quotes that have been memorable:

“Leadership does not accrue to those with longest seniority-but to those who earn it every day.” — Eric Norwood, CEO, Dekalb Medical Center, Decatur, GA

“Leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room, but getting the smartest people in the room.” — Steve Green, CEO and President of Stephen Green Properties, Savannah, GA

Read more »


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How to Live, Think, and Lead with Brilliance! (Part II)

June 28th, 2011

There are multiple facets to Executive Brilliance that allow transformational leaders to Live, Think and Lead with brilliance. The following “to do” list (the second half of two lists about living, thinking and leading with brilliance) will help you achieve that goal. Work on these activities each day and watch how your inner brilliance can positively influence those around you:

  1. Silence the static noise around you and go within: Develop a daily practice of quieting your mind.  Develop inner resources that help you deal with outer circumstances.  Take a walk, read a book, take a nap, practice meditation.  Do something that is NOT work related.   The time away from the hustle and bustle of work will make you even more effective when you return.
  2. Learn to say “No” and practice saying “No” to time-eater tasks you could delegate: Listen to your inner feelings.  Do you say yes when you really want to say no?  Go ahead!  It’s healthy to say no! Read more »

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