Reader, I know it feels like I ghosted you or just dropped off the edge of the earth. Well, I am back. "Rebecca, where the heck have you been?" I underestimated how committed - or I should say OVERcommitted - I was for the month of May. It started near the end of April as Hubby and I celebrated the years we have spent together. We love spending time in semi-remote places, so we found a cabin in Highland, NC, to crash for the weekend of our wedding anniversary. Let's just say that the drive to...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Reader, Who are you, really? It's a question that cuts through the noise of titles and roles, demanding an authentic answer. In our last conversation, we delved into the essence of identity and direction, challenging the notion of being defined solely by our job titles. As the concept of "Imposter Syndrome" continues to pervade discussions, it's a reminder of the importance of carving out our own genuine identity amidst the chaos. Remember those three questions I posed? Who am I? Where am I...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Reader, "I don't have time." That is usually the response I get from people when I tell them how much I read. Yes, I get it because, at one point, I said the same thing myself. Then, I set my phone and iPad up to send me weekly "screen time" reports. The first report shocked me. I spent how many hours on my electronic devices? It was a triggering moment for me to examine how much of my life was being absorbed into scrolling and clicking. So, I began a journey to break the habit of always...
7 months ago • 1 min read
Reader, Is your cab light on? As I was checking into a conference yesterday, the lady checking me in complimented me on my eyeglass frames. After a brief conversation, while she prepared my badge, she asked me if I had heard the story about the cab light. Of course, I had not, so she went on to say this: One of my dearest friends told me this story. In New York, the taxi cabs used to have a light on top of their car to indicate if they were available. If you saw the light, you knew the cab...
7 months ago • 1 min read
Reader, What would you do if you knew you would not fail? I first heard this question more than 20 years ago and it made me pause. As the amazing Les Brown walked us through how we limit ourselves, it made me think - am I thinking too small? He then went on to say this: The graveyard is the richest place on earth because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were...
7 months ago • 1 min read
Reader, So, how did your week go? Did you set aside time to do some thinking about developing yourself as a leader? As we head into the weekend, I wanted to remind you that "you are in charge." In charge of what? In charge of your decisions, your choices, and how you choose to spend your time. You are not in charge of how other people choose or decide. Why is this important? Over my career, I have seen many potential leaders give up on themselves. At some point, you begin to realize that...
8 months ago • 1 min read
Reader, In my reading and watching leaders I follow this week, I have heard the following articulated in various ways: "Practice makes the master." It is a very simple concept that many people tend to skip over. And many leaders tend to forget about it after they have practiced their craft to rise to some level of mastery. Practice not only makes the master, but in our fast-paced and ever-changing world, the practice of competent, professional, conscious, and ethical leadership is necessary....
8 months ago • 1 min read