Perspective
Are Great Leaders Born or Made?
If you want to be a doctor, it takes over a decade. You can’t wake up one morning and decide to do surgery. You can’t do an “accelerated track” for “high potential medical students” and get up to speed in a couple years. You need four years of undergrad, four years of medical school, and…
Read More3 Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
About 20 years ago, my wife, Jamie, and I started Wedgewood Consulting Group. We built the business from scratch, led it for over a decade, and then sold it. We learned mountains of lessons, many of which I’ve discussed on LinkedIn over the years, including some of the stories which form the basis of the 5…
Read MoreI Would Bet Big Money that You Need to Unplug, Relax, and Take Care of Yourself
I just returned from a quick overnight camping trip with my son, Clay. He graduated college in May and has been busy working the last several weeks, so it was nice for the two of us to sneak in a two-day adventure. We left Nashville at 10:00 a.m. and drove about 100 miles to the…
Read MoreLeaders Need to Recognize the Affect of Headwinds and Tailwinds
I recently supported a couple of friends who were on a multi-state biking tour. As they worked their way from the Florida Keys up the eastern seaboard of the United States, my role was to drive a support vehicle with the supplies needed to keep them fed, safe, and ready to ride. My friends rode…
Read MoreHow Being a Good Person is Holding You Back
Years ago my wife and I built a new house. We were excited to move in to our new home and start the next chapter of our lives. Everything was new. The paint was fresh and the stickers were still on the windows. The wood floors, oh those wood floors, were amazing. Whenever someone walked…
Read MoreHow a Great Leader Guides Others Through Uncertain Times
The uncertainty of the coronavirus caused me to think about how great leaders guide people through uncertain times. Allow me to share a story… Many years ago, my wife, daughter, and I were busy decorating our house for Christmas. The tree was up, presents were gathering beneath it, and holiday music was filling the air.…
Read MoreGreat Leaders Keep People, Not Things, at the Center
What started as a small project that my wife, Jamie, and I worked on in our spare time quickly turned into a viable business. We both quit our jobs and went all in on the new venture. Eleven years later, we had offices in three states, amazing team members, and an enviable list of loyal…
Read MoreCEOs, Bestselling Authors, and Professional Athletes Told Me that One Word is Key
I recently reviewed the transcripts from the first 25 Leadership Lab podcast episodes. One word jumped out at me. Many of the CEOs, NYT bestselling authors, & former professional athletes told me that one word has been key to their success. What’s the word? Kindness That’s right, kindness. Here are 3 things to know about…
Read More5 Lessons from a Leader Who Stands on Top of Africa
I recently found myself in Tanzania setting out to hike to the highest point on the continent of Africa. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t suddenly fall from the sky or wake from a dream and ‘find’ myself on the mountain. The prerequisite planning took place and I put in extra miles to get ready,…
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