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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
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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...

Lisa Pickard
Jul 22, 2024
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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
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Emerging Leaders
Have you ever noticed individual contributors who hold informal leadership roles due to their extraordinary success? Some colleagues want...

Lisa Pickard
Nov 29, 2023
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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...

Lisa Pickard
Nov 20, 2023
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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
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Make it count
Why choose to do something if not to do it well? Many of us have opportunities that are gifts: education, sports, jobs, and more. We can...

Lisa Pickard
Oct 26, 2023
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Breakfast for dinner
Adaptability encourages us to flex with new information and work outside our comfort zone. As leaders, we can foster a more adaptable...

Lisa Pickard
Oct 25, 2023
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Big day?
What's your routine for a big event? Do you map out your needs in advance? Planning eliminates unnecessary thinking before, during, and...

Lisa Pickard
Oct 24, 2023
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Danger zone
Thinking we understand everything, not recognizing multiple sides of a topic, or oversimplifying an issue creates a false sense of...

Lisa Pickard
Oct 19, 2023
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Blank pages
We all have life mile markers representing specific meanings: graduations, promotions, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and even...

Lisa Pickard
Oct 18, 2023
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What did you expect?
If we knew what to expect all the time, life wouldn't be so inspiring. Adapting to everything life throws at us is a gift. Stay open to...

Lisa Pickard
Oct 16, 2023
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Blow over
Overcoming failure can lead to an unexpected triumph. Here are four steps to help to turn anything into a growth opportunity: Bounce Back...

Lisa Pickard
Oct 12, 2023
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Hiding in pain sight
If you read that title and thought it was a typo, it is not. It reminds us how many people are high-functioning while secretly...

Lisa Pickard
Oct 9, 2023
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Value this
Affirmations are a powerful tool, especially when used with your values. Thinking about or writing down statements affirming your core...

Lisa Pickard
Oct 5, 2023
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Better circles
Looking up to someone sometimes lets us hide their weaknesses in the shadows. Behaviors that aren't normally tolerated get rationalized,...

Lisa Pickard
Oct 3, 2023
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Light the way
Lighthouses may guide ships, but people can be beacons, too. When we lead with honest kindness, build people up, and put in effort rather...

Lisa Pickard
Sep 27, 2023
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Say:Do
It's a strange feeling when you grow out of starting something new and doing things the scrappy, not necessarily efficient, but...

Lisa Pickard
Sep 26, 2023
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Fences
Considering issues from multiple vantage points better helps us understand the implications of our actions. Think about a fence. If...

Lisa Pickard
Sep 21, 2023
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Try it out
There are no guarantees in any part of life, so when an idea or opportunity comes up, rather than find an excuse to say no, don't second...

Lisa Pickard
Sep 19, 2023
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