ARTICLES, GUIDANCE, EXERCISES, AND MORE

Lead2Goals’ blog is full of articles, exercises, and plans with the goal of providing guidance and support around executive leadership training, employee development, team building, corporate culture, and more. The information here can be useful as corporate training resources, supporting strategic planning sessions, and helping new managers evolve in their role from peer to boss. All content has been developed with an academic approach combined with real-world business experience. Exercises have been used with actual Lead2Goals’ clients during strategic planning facilitation, employee development workshops, and several of our in-person and online courses.

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The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: How EQ Can Transform Your Team

When it comes to leadership, many people focus on the technical skills or knowledge needed to guide a team to...

Trust as a Performance Booster: Why Building Trust Is the Key to Team Success

Most leaders know that trust is essential in relationships, but when it comes to the workplace, trust is often an...

The Secret to Building a High-Performing Team: Focus on People, Not Tasks

For many leaders, team performance is all about getting things done—hitting targets, meeting deadlines, and achieving goals. But there’s a...

How Letting Go of Control Transformed My Leadership

Early in my career, I thought that as a leader, my role was to oversee every detail, make all the...

Your Team Has More Potential Than You Think: How Leadership Impacts Team Success

Great teams aren’t born—they’re built, often by leaders who know how to unlock potential. Your team may already have the...

Trust as a Performance Booster: Why Building Trust Is the Key to Team Success

Trust isn’t just a feel-good concept; it’s a critical performance booster that can make or break your team’s success. As...

The Power of Letting Go: How Trusting Your Team Can Drive Business Growth

Building a successful business isn’t just about having the best strategies or the latest technology; it's about people. As a...

The Importance of Integrity in Leadership

Integrity is more than a leadership buzzword—it’s a fundamental quality that defines truly great leaders. Acting with integrity means aligning...

5 Tips to Elevate Your Leadership Skills

Leadership is more than a position or title—it’s a continuous journey of growth and self-improvement. To truly elevate your leadership...

Driving Business Growth Through Strategic Leadership

In today's competitive business landscape, strategic leadership is essential for driving business growth. Leaders who can set a clear vision,...

Mastering Team Management: Building High-Performing Teams

Effective team management is essential for building high-performing teams that drive organizational success. As a leader, your ability to foster...

Enhancing Executive Leadership: Key Strategies for Success

In today's dynamic business environment, effective executive leadership is crucial for driving organizational success. Leaders at the executive level must...

Listening as a Leadership Tool: Techniques for Effective Communication

In the dynamic world of business, effective communication is the cornerstone of successful leadership. However, communication is not solely about...

Harnessing Influence: A Guide for Modern Leaders

In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, the traditional notion of power is giving way to a more sustainable and impactful approach:...

The Circle of Trust: Building Trust in Leadership

Trust is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Without it, leaders struggle to inspire, guide, and connect with their teams. This…

7 Leadership Mistakes Every CEO Needs to Avoid

In the fast-paced world of business, even the most seasoned CEOs can stumble. Leadership is a complex journey filled with...

Understanding Leadership Theories

In the dynamic world of leadership, understanding the various theories and styles is essential for anyone looking to enhance their...

5 Ways Small Business Owners Can Cope With Inflation

As a small business owner, you’re probably deeply concerned about the impact of inflation on your business. By working with...

Tips and Strategies for Effective Interdepartmental Collaboration

Interdepartmental communication and collaboration are crucial to the success of a company, but organizations of all sizes face communication challenges...

Boost Your Business’s Growth by Optimizing Warehouse Operations

Regardless of the type of business you’re in, it can always benefit from improvements. Companies that produce or distribute goods,...

It’s About the Journey, Not the Destination

One of the exercises I ask some of my coaching clients to complete is to write a short narrative on...

How to Get Back Into the Swing of Things After You’ve Experienced a Failure in Business

Starting a business again after you’ve experienced failure can be a difficult thing to do. Not only will you have...

10 Continuous Learning Resources for Leaders

When you’re a leader, your learning journey is never truly finished. You can always expand your mind and master new...

A Guide to Launching a Business When You’re Welcoming a New Baby

Many people would assume that launching a business when you’re welcoming a new baby isn’t possible. However, if you approach...

How a Professional Accountant Can Support Your Business Success

As a business owner, you enjoy a great deal of freedom. You get to be your own boss while guiding...

How to Manage Work Expectations as a Young Parent With a New Baby

While working from home may seem like the ideal situation for new parents, it comes with an array of challenges...

How Budding Entrepreneurs Can Create a Safety-Conscious Home Office for Meetings

Today, COVID-19 is still a concern for many. That’s why budding entrepreneurs need to be safety-conscious when meeting with clients....

Reach Your Business’ Potential With the Right Brand

You may have a small business, but that does not mean you cannot develop a major brand. To accomplish that...

Using My Voice and Hitting the Professional Lottery

It’s an odd feeling to have, to be working for a company that values my input, values my voice. A...

Building Better Relationships at Home or in the Office

There are a couple of pieces of advice I have concerning relationships. This advice applies to all professional and personal...

From Setback to Startup

Practical Tips for Starting a Business After a Career Setback Whether it’s a job loss, furlough, or missed promotion, career...

How to Keep Your Restaurant Startup Costs Under Control

Starting a restaurant isn’t cheap. Between purchasing equipment and hiring staff, you’re bound to spend a lot of money getting...

Health And Wellness Tips For Remote Workers

Health And Wellness Tips For Remote Workers Working from home became the norm during the 2020 COVID crisis. And as...

Understanding Trust | Part 1

Scholars have extensively examined the constructs of trust and trustworthiness throughout the years. They have found that these constructs are...

Understanding Trust | Part 2

Part 1 of this blog covered the definition of trust, and its main components and characteristics. The first two components...

How to Pull Together a Remote Team That Boosts Your Business

Are you thinking about jumping into hiring remote workers, but you’re not sure how to realistically make that happen? This...

Engage, Improvise, and Be Mindful

Originally published in the Fall 2020 Edition of The Toronto Manager Living is a form of not being sure, not...

The Link Between Vulnerability and Business Performance

The Importance of Vulnerability in Business Dr. Brené Brown has led the charge on understanding vulnerability, and the importance of...

Make 2021 Happen for You

Everyone has a unique COVID experience when it comes to their business and I am no different. My story is...

Top 6 Ideas for Conflict Resolution

Conflict Resolution in the Workplace There are always going to be times when conflict arises, at work, and at home....

What Is Holding Your Company Back? | Growing Your Business

Growing Your Business You started this company from scratch, with an idea on the back of a napkin. Working your...

Everyday People, Extraordinary Leadership | Book Review

Everyday People, Extraordinary Leadership James Kouzes and Barry Posner have been researching leadership for some thirty-seven years together. They wrote...

The Making of a Manager | Book Review

The Making of a Manager The Making of a Manager is a well thought-out and easily digestible read. The book...

Are You Sure? | Challenging Assumptions

IMAGINE WITH ME HERE... You’re at a cocktail party (remember those?), and you see your friend Jessica close by. You...

Our Top 5 List of Effective Meeting Strategies

Effective Meetings Strategies If you feel like meetings are a waste of time, it may be because you need better...

No Plan B | Deciding to Start a Business

Several years ago, the husband of a friend of mine was struggling with his career direction. It was daunting for...

Empathy | A Cornerstone of Emotional Intelligence

Many people might think that to be successful, all you need is to be knowledgeable in your field of business....

How to Create a Virtual Holiday Office Party

Finding holiday cheer can be difficult during a pandemic, but that’s exactly why it’s more important than ever to focus...

Finding Peace in a Pandemic

It’s easy to feel frazzled when your attention is being pulled in a million directions during the COVID-19 pandemic. We...

4 Stages of Psychological Safety | Book Review

Creating a Psychologically Safe Space Designed to not only inspire, but to inform, The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety (2020)...

Thanksgiving, Gratitude and Growth

Reflecting on My Journey I often ask my clients to journal during executive coaching sessions, and during my course on...

Doctor, Heal Thyself

The Debate This past holiday we had an issue come up during what should have been a wonderful meal. One...

Personality Isn’t Permanent | Book Review

Break Free from Self-Limiting Beliefs and Rewrite Your Story A client recently gave me a copy of the book Personality...

Topgrading | Book Review

Topgrading: How to Hire, Coach, and Keep A Players First off, I will start by saying that I did not...

The Essential HR Handbook | Book Review

A Quick and Handy Resource for Any Manager or HR Professional Providing an update to the version from ten years...

Deliver on Your Promise

To deliver on your promise simply means to do what you say you will do. According to the Merriam Webster...

Covid-19 and the New Remote Workforce

EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT PLAN By now, many of us have settled into the realities of a being part of a remote...

Single-Day Strategy Session Agenda

SAMPLE AGENDA | SINGLE DAY FORMAT It is essential to be well prepared when planning a corporate retreat. Utilizing a...

Humble Inquiry | Book Review

Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling (2013). Written by Edgar H. Schein is a relatively short...

The Little Big Things | Book Review

The Little Big Things: 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence (2010) is Tom Peters' 16th book surrounding his favorite topic of...

The Leadership Challenge | Book Review

5 Leadership Qualities The Leadership Challenge is one of my go-to books when I am coaching with executives. Written by...

Building Your Team Workshop Retreat

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT Almost everybody would agree that on most days a championship team in almost any sport would beat a...

Strategic Planning Agenda for an Off-Site Retreat

SAMPLE AGENDA | 3-DAY FORMAT It should go without saying, that putting together your strategic planning agenda, for your 3-day...

Strategic Planning | How to Organize an Offsite Corporate Retreat

OFF-SITE RETREAT | 3-DAY FORMAT The 3-day offsite corporate retreat format is most commonly used as a once per year...

Vulnerability: The Man in the Arena

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where…

Trust: A Key Component to Core Values

Trust is an important core value I cherish in my personal life, and one of my favorite core values of…

How to Improve Your Company’s Corporate Culture

Having a set corporate culture that works for everyone is key to building a successful company. About two years ago,…

Defining and Developing the Circle of Trust

A few years ago, I was thinking about just how much the concept of trust affects our lives. This single…

Improve Your Listening to Improve Your Relationships

It’s time to improve your active listening skills! Our culture in the United States tends to value knowledge and achievement….

Empathetic Listening Skills and the Relationship with Trust

In the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey wrote, “Seek first to understand.” This is a simple and…

Planning a Corporate Retreat

When planning a corporate retreat, the first step is to understand the purpose of the retreat. In addition, the importance…

Crucial Conversations | Book Review

Crucial Conversations written by Stephen R. Covey is a must-read for any business person. Whether you're a C-level executive, a...

Improve Teamwork by Brainstorming

Have you ever been stuck on an issue, where you just couldn’t get past a fixed mindset? Maybe you were…

Skydiving: The Alternative Trust Fall

Trust Fall Ever heard of a trust fall? You probably played this game in grade school with your friends. One…

Change Anything: The New Science of Personal Success | Book Review

Overview Change Anything is a step-by-step guide on how to break long-standing bad habits. It gives inspiration and knowledge on how...

Troubleshooting Teamwork by Hosting an Office Olympics

Troubleshooting Teamwork Having trouble with teamwork? Or maybe you’re teamwork is just fine, but there’s always room for improvement! One…

Respect | The Starting Point in the Circle of Trust

The word RESPECT is used as part of the process we have called The Circle of Trust. It is in fact...

Surf to Overcome Roadblocks

You can always turn a roadblock into a detour with strategic planning. No matter what the obstacle is, you can…

Corporate Retreats: The Purpose of a Professional Facilitator

Corporate Retreats 101 Many organizations host annual offsite corporate retreats for a variety of reasons. This article focuses on why…

White Water Rafting to Success

You don’t have to dive right in to be successful. Grab an inflatable raft and a few coworkers and go…

Motivation or Inspiration?

Motivation Versus Inspiration Is there a difference between inspiration and motivation? What is that difference, and how do we define…

Empathetic Listening Skills: What is the Value and How Can I Improve?

Assume Good Intent To develop empathy, one of the “games” we play with our corporate clients is called Assume Good…

Paddle Boarding Benefits

Benefit #1: Everyone Can do it You can choose your own pace based on your skillset and mood for the…

Corporate Culture Trumps Skills When Hiring

There are all kinds of books on how to hire a new employee. How write the job description. How and…

Concept Matrix Redeveloped for the Office

Where the Concept Matrix Came From In my studies I came across a great tool that was shown to me…

Improve Yourself: Take an Afternoon to Golf

The game of golf is all about patience, staying focused, and being confident. It’s hard to do this when you’re…

Preparation for the Day of the Presentation

In a previous article, we provided 5 tips that will help you in preparing the presentation you have been asked…

5 Steps to Help Your Next Presentation

Leadership Development Demands Making Better Presentations As your career begins to take off, you will undoubtedly be asked to deliver…

Organizational Mission: Should it Come Later?

Organizational Mission Your organizational mission is often said to be a statement of purpose or mission statement. We work with…

The Speed of Trust By Steven Covey

Steven M.R. Covey who is the son of the more famous Steven R. Covey The 7 Habits of Highly Effective…

Spouse Friendly Corporate Retreat

One of the difficulties organizations have in conducting a corporate retreat, is that many executives are uncomfortable traveling to an…

Strategic Planning for a Leadership Retreat

While an exotic location is always exciting, they are not always the best choice for an offsite retreat. For instance, if…

Fishing for a Better Relationship

There are many reasons why someone would want to go fishing, but there are five top reasons why we would suggest it. The…

Strategic Planning | Turning Roadblocks into Detours

We all have obstacles to overcome. Every day we run into blocks with the projects we work on. These blocks do not…

Why Vision Matters

One of the basic premises we live by is that in terms of corporate culture, Vision trumps Mission. A company’s…

A New Way to Promote Leadership Growth

Getting out of the classroom and those traditional leadership development conferences, can help you and your team find a new…

Deliver on the Promise

If you make a promise deliver on the promise. The Circle of Trust is a concept that I have developed,…

Conflict Can Be Healthy

Just because I am right, it does not necessarily mean that you are wrong. We are all faced with conflict…

Biking to Build Work Relationships

Have you ever wondered how to better build work relationships? We have a few different activities on our retreats that…

Better Than Brainstorming: Learning About Nominal Group Technique

Limits of Brainstorming Brainstorming is a wonderful tool to get fresh ideas and different perspectives. However, there is a serious…

Take a Hike to Improve Teamwork

“The man on the top of the mountain didn’t fall there.” -Vince Lombardi Teamwork Gets you to the Top It…

Tips for allowing others to recognize you are really listening

In a previous article, we discussed to concept of Listening to Understand coined by Steven Covey. In that article we…

LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND | THE CIRCLE OF TRUST

Listen to Understand The second tenant of the Circle of Trust is a concept coined by the late Steven Covey,…

Zip Line Puts Trust to the Test to Develop Your TEAM

Develop Your Team To develop your team, you must start with each individual first. They set you up in a…

Respect | A Starting Point for Developing Trust

Respect as a Starting Point for Developing Trust Developing trust is vital in creating a relationship! When we developed the…

The Circle of Trust

The Circle of Trust Process The circle of trust is a process developed over years of working in our leadership…

Preparing for an Offsite Leadership Retreat

Offsite Leadership Retreat Planning There are two major factors in the preparation for an offsite leadership retreat: logistics and content….

What is the #1 Priority of an Offsite Leadership Retreat?

Purpose of an Offsite Leadership Retreat A company leadership retreat is a great way to accomplish several things. We have…

Introducing Dr. Whitney McIntyre Miller

It took a while and a gallant effort, but I finally secured the services of a great teacher. Dr. Whitney McIntyre…

Goal Attainment versus Goal Setting

I may be a month premature here. New Year’s resolutions are typically set as goals for the upcoming year. This…

Open-ended questions provide better answers

Businessman Tony Robbins once said, “Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.” That statement…

Empathetic Listening Skills that Build Trust

In our last article, we discussed the value of empathetic listening. We suggested that it is key to building trust…

Why We Should Challenge Old Assumptions

The Easter Dinner There is a story I like to tell, that illustrates why we need to challenge old assumptions….

Build Human Capital and Have Fun Doing It

Imrovisational theatre (Impro) is fun; more fun, in fact, than a night of karaoke. So how does all of this…

Strangers opening up, becoming vulnerable and unleashing their creativity

Lead2Goals‘ facilitators are experienced and have the unique ability to foster creative spirits within our clients. This creativity is supported through the…

How to Make a Workshop Fun

In addition to retreats, Lead2Goals offers workshops which focus on topics like public speaking, team building, and affirmative leadership. Though our workshops…

Developing Core Values In Your Organization

Almost every organization’s culture incorporates a set of core values which they expect their people to live by. These values…

Lead2Goals Blog Purpose and Schedule

Blog Purpose At Lead2Goals, we believe that respect, trust, courage, and integrity matter. Don’t you? With these values in mind,…

Introducing Dr. Theresa Robbins Dudeck

I am very proud to announce that Dr. Theresa Robbins Dudeck has joined the Lead2Goals team. Dr. Dudeck is a fantastic addition…

Develop Your Leadership to Attain Your Goals

Professional Education and Turn Key Corporate Retreats We are excited to announce the launch of our new venture, Lead2Goals. There…