Have you ever had to persuade your team to take on a daunting task, one they'd rather skip? Do you find yourself trying to force them out of their comfort zone, or that you have to constantly reassure them to make progress?

As a leadership coach, I’ve discovered that some of the most valuable insights come not from boardrooms but from nature, animals, and adventure. Raising monarch butterflies, working with a blind horse, and even dog sledding in Alaska have profoundly shaped my approach to leadership.

In the world of leadership, it's easy to overwhelm others with information and even micromanage. This happened recently during a training session with Knobby. If you don’t know, Knobby is a horse that I work with every Friday at the stables not far from where I live. 

Communication is at the heart of leadership. The way we engage in conversations shapes relationships, drives collaboration, and ultimately determines the success of our teams. Leaders who master Conversational Intelligence (C-IQ) can foster trust, encourage innovation, and create environments where people thrive.

"Meetings have the power to inspire, connect, and drive change—but only when they are intentional, focused, and inclusive." – Heidi Sadecky

Most people dread meetings. It’s a sentiment shared across industries: meetings often feel like a waste of time, keeping people from tackling their most essential tasks. Let’s face it, many meetings are poorly run and boring, which is why multitasking has become a common practice during them.

As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the many seasons 2024 has brought. It’s been a year filled with challenges, growth, and resilience, a time of both heartbreak and hope. Losing my dad this past June was a profound experience, and much of the spring was spent supporting him through surgery and helping him transition from his lifelong home to assisted living. These were moments of deep connection, care, and love that I will always hold dear.

November is a month known for reflection and today I find myself reflecting on the words of Dr. John Townsend: "Gratitude is the fuel that powers true leadership. It centers you, keeps you humble, and helps you see the people around you as the invaluable contributors they are.

Have you ever felt stifled in your role, unable to question decisions or share ideas because your leader only expects compliance? A handful of top leaders have recently shared with me that they’ve been pressured in their organizations to follow initiatives, directions, and decisions without question. Their supervisors just expect them to carry out marching orders.

In the United States, we're beginning to notice the subtle changes in the season. The leaves are beginning to fall, and gardeners are busy deadheading, pruning, and preparing their landscapes for winter. This process of trimming away the old to create space for new growth mirrors the way we can approach our professional lives. Just as gardens need pruning, our careers and personal lives benefit from cutting back unnecessary tasks and responsibilities to allow room for fresh opportunities.

If you've been eagerly awaiting the 2025 TLP or E4 program dates, your wait is over! These Leadership Development Programs have been carefully created to give you the structure and time to pull out from the day-to-day, reevaluate your goals and what matters most, to reflect and re-energize alongside a select group of confidants who can easily become your trusted advisors. Programs take place in Western Pennsylvania, just south of Pittsburgh, and are open to participants from Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, New York, Delaware, New Jersey, and beyond.

Let's face it, feedback can feel like a double-edged sword. It has the potential to be an amazing tool for growth, but sometimes it's just...awkward. We've all been there, squirming on the receiving end or sweating bullets before giving it. But what if feedback could be a positive force for both you and your team? It can be! Here's how to ditch the dread and turn feedback into growth fuel.

Summer is the perfect time to relax, recharge, and invest in personal growth. For those committed to both professional excellence and their Christian faith, I've curated a list of transformative books that offer wisdom, insight, and inspiration. Whether you're lounging by the pool, on a family vacation, or finding a quiet moment at home, these books are sure to enrich your journey.

In today's competitive world, strong leadership is essential. But what separates good leaders from great ones? Empathy. As John Townsend so eloquently stated, "The near universal truth about leadership is that you can't lead people effectively until you understand them first, and you can't understand them first until you empathize with them.

In today’s organizations, the pursuit of success is often intertwined with the management of scarce resources: time, talent, and financial assets. Amidst deadlines, competitive pressures, and budget constraints, the instinct to tighten control can be tempting. Today, I propose an alternative approach – one rooted in generosity of time, talent and money.

My clients say YES! In the short term, some may view executive coaching as an expense, yet it's crucial to reframe the perspective: hiring a coach is an investment in leadership and, by extension, a company's success. Let's explore four ways in which this investment can yield a significant return.

In the dynamic landscape of leadership, many executives are contemplating changing jobs and even questioning their career path. I’ve noticed this recently with a number of my own clients. Whether prompted by the challenges of navigating a business through chaotic circumstances, a longing for the flexibility of remote work, or personal health concerns, leaders are reassessing how they can lead a more joyful, fulfilling, and purposeful professional life.

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, I'm thinking of you and extending warm wishes for the Christmas season. This time of year is the ideal time to reflect on favorite things, isn’t it? Here are some of mine:

Hello, leaders and aspiring leaders! As an executive leadership coach and the director of the Townsend Leadership Program (TLP) in Pittsburgh, PA, I'm passionate about helping individuals grow as effective leaders. In this blog post, I'm excited to share with you some of my favorite leadership books that have been invaluable to me, and several of them are also featured on the TLP Reading List for 2024. Whether you prefer reading in paperback, on an e-reader, borrowing from the library, or listening to audiobooks, these recommendations are accessible in various formats.

Throughout my career, I’ve had to lead people and projects at times of blindsiding loss, the looming passing of loved ones, and struggles with teenagers. It’s hard to focus…it’s hard to lead. Most recently, in the middle of a training day, I had to make a decision to get my golden retriever to the emergency vet. It was a tough call to stop the training day and go to the vet.

As executives and leaders, the journey to success can often feel like a solitary endeavor. The weight of important decisions, strategic planning, and the ever-evolving business landscape can be overwhelming. In such moments, the value of a trusted, non-biased support team is almost immeasurable.