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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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People make the difference
The best wins as a leader, for me, were people driven. It was a gift to see someone accomplish something they didn't think possible or...

Lisa Pickard
Jul 26, 2023
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Face it head on
The same standard of conduct should apply to everyone in an organization. No one should get a pass because of position, personality, or...

Lisa Pickard
May 24, 2023
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Fear not
Mistakes are going to happen; we're all human. As leaders, the best response is to remove the emotion as best we can and focus on the...

Lisa Pickard
Apr 27, 2023
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Creating ownership
Employees feel valued when they are given ownership of the tasks under their control. If a learning culture is in place to ensure proper...

Lisa Pickard
Apr 12, 2023
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Learning cultures
Learning is an observable behavior. If I share something I learned from a mistake, a book, or a class, those around me see my actions....

Lisa Pickard
Mar 28, 2023
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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...

Lisa Pickard
Mar 27, 2023
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Everything's Fine
Creating a positive work environment isn't smiling and telling your team everything will be fine. An actual positive environment...

Lisa Pickard
Mar 23, 2023
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Common ground
Relationships are vital in successful teams, but sometimes finding common ground on critical issues can be tricky, causing friction or a...

Lisa Pickard
Mar 22, 2023
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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...

Lisa Pickard
Mar 6, 2023
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Problem solvers
If you solve everyone's problems, you are a doer, not a leader. Leaders in healthy learning environments inspire others to identify...

Lisa Pickard
Feb 22, 2023
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Change of scenery
When I get stuck with a problem, sometimes, I go outside and wander around the yard. It can clear my mind before I even realize it. When...

Lisa Pickard
Feb 6, 2023
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Don't blend in
Find and lead from your strengths by being yourself. Be authentic, and recognize your strengths can be magnified by working with others...

Lisa Pickard
Jan 31, 2023
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Just because you can?
Think about what you need as a senior leader. Employees are likelier to jump through hoops to do what you ask. Someone will stay late,...

Lisa Pickard
Jan 17, 2023
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Young Habits
Habits are tough to create but even tougher to break. One of the best ways to revitalize old habits or start new ones is to watch how...

Lisa Pickard
Jan 16, 2023
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Making good from the bad
Enabling poor behavior is just as bad as having poor behavior. Difficult conversations and repercussions are never easy, but allowing...

Lisa Pickard
Jan 11, 2023
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One size fits all
"If we do it for Sally, we should do it for Ally too." Well, then, what about Cally? Next thing, you are rewarding many for the...

Lisa Pickard
Jan 5, 2023
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Do vs. Ask
Shifting your mindset from a doer to a manager/leader can be challenging. One common pitfall is not sharing your projects and knowledge....

Lisa Pickard
Jan 2, 2023
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Working for culture
Good culture is positive, feedback-based, and evolving. It is not late-night parties, free lunches or swag, and living in the past. It is...

Lisa Pickard
Dec 21, 2022
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