Sometimes, we find ourselves butting heads in relationships to a point where it must be addressed. Whether it be a coworker, friend, family member, there are times when we must attempt to diffuse or clarify a tense situation by having a frank discussion.

Leadership requires tremendous ability and insight. But the one family of traits that moves you from good to great in regards to effective leadership consists of compassion, sincerity, and care. Caring leadership emerges out of considerate behavior for yourself, your team, and your organization overall. It promotes a harmonious and efficient workplace and personal life.

Has there ever been a time in which you shared something so clearly and yet, you were met with blank faces of confusion? It was almost as though you were speaking in an entirely different language? Those blank stares are the same looks that I gave my uncle once when he said that he booty called me. I was looking at my uncle with the facial embodiment of the famous quote from Inigo Montoya (Princess Bride), “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

Breaking someone’s trust is like crumpling up a perfect piece of paper. Sure, you can open it back up again and smooth it over but it’s never going to be the same again. Trust is the currency that all business is built upon as the foundation. It’s what enables your customers to believe in you and for your team to believe in one another.

In these times of uncertainty, individuals and businesses are having to adjust to a new normal. Everyday life has been disrupted for many and maintaining a sense of normalcy requires mindfulness and effort on all of our parts. Companies, now more than ever, are asking what does great marketing look like under these current conditions.

The passing of time is a remarkable phenomenon. It is unceasing, not taking into account that our lives have been put on “hold” and our “plan for the year” now rendered meaningless. I mention that because I initially planned on starting this post with “Can you believe we’re already in the second quarter of 2020?” Of course, you can and of course, you can’t. Time marches on and we struggle to place ourselves within it.

Most of us know the feeling - you’ve worked hard for years - smashing your goals and charting a course for professional growth and upward mobility in your organization. A job comes across the board that you know you’re right for, and you throw your hat into the ring.

Without putting the cart before the horse here, we obviously believe that a mentor relationship is crucial to both career and personal growth. This isn’t to say that these things can’t happen without it, but we believe that an intentional relationship with those that have walked your path before you is one huge way to accelerate your success, both personally and professionally.

The Enneagram functions as a kind of map of the human psyche. A system consisting of nine personality types, it provides a deeper understanding of human behavior that can be segmented and sub-segmented by the assigned “Types.”

Goal setting isn't exclusive to New Year's Resolutions. The opportunity is always present for a clean slate to establish a new set of goals for yourself.