Recently the amazing leaders of Pfizer Rare Disease invited me to share with 600 cross-functional professionals who are committed to bringing breakthroughs that change people’s lives. This is one of the most respected divisions within the 200-year-old company, whose core values of courage, demonstrating excellence, standing for equity, and experiencing…
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Top Trends of Brilliant Companies Dear Brilliant Companies, If you want to attract talent and then ensure that those employees are not scrolling through Indeed.com to find their next gig, then consider a handful of steps that can make all the difference. (I can already hear what you are thinking:…
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8 Tips to Get Promoted In a world of algorithms, automation, and artificial intelligence, being average is over. Put a fork in it. The world is accelerating faster, and your performance is under an intense microscope. To some degree, employers are using gadgets that we first saw in the 1998…
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Developing quality relationships is the second distinct condition you can cultivate to increase your AE (Absolutely Exceptional) factor. Quality Relationships. Relationships are the currency of your future, and the core theme and purpose of all social engagement is to create relationships. That is why www.facebook.com,…
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“Don’t drop the monkey on me” were the words that I heard from a CEO of a company. I looked at him puzzled and wondered what in the world did he mean? As the facilitator, I wasn’t sure where to go with this and then, he explained to a room…
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Pounding feet, dozens of sneakers, sweat, conversation, and a buzz in the air! This is what I witnessed while teaching a class at an insurance company. During lunchtime I saw men and women walk past me, and then a few minutes later I saw the same people walk right by…
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Scientists experimented with laboratory rats to measure their motivation to live under different circumstances. They dropped a rat into a jar of water that had been placed in total darkness, and they timed how long the animal would continue swimming before it gave up and allowed itself to drown. It…
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I was teaching a class on how to have a brilliant year and took the participants through an exercise to eliminate their Brilliance Blockers – you know, things that prevent you from doing your best. One of the questions I asked this eager-beaver group was, “What do you need to…
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When you made your first appearance in the world, you possessed the potential to be exceptional. I believe that we are all pre-wired to achieve, create, and produce amazing results. However, sometimes we disqualify ourselves through unplanned setbacks, limited thinking, and a lack of exposure. When I was in Bhutan a few months ago, I recognized a fire in the eyes of men and women who have taken personal inventory of their abilities and realize they are absolutely exceptional. As I talked with each of them, I realized that they would never settle for the status quo or accept the crumbs of opportunity when they could own the bakery. They had high Absolutely Exceptional (AE) factors. Here is the first of three distinct conditions that you can cultivate to increase your AE factor:
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Recently, my friend Kyle Wilson invited me to join an inmate group in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and spend two days with the effervescent Dr. Denis Waitley. This experience has been the highlight of the year for me. Dr. Waitley is 89 years young and the author of the best-selling book, The Psychology of Winning. He attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and is the former chairman of psychology for the United States Olympic Committee’s Sports Medicine Council. Here are seven insights I learned from Dr. Waitley:
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There are times in life when you meet a client that totally gets it. Signet Jewelers is that client. For them, employee experience is the top priority. Executive leadership models care and compassion for everyone. Meanwhile, the field executives are laser-focused on accountability while demonstrating empathy. Anyway, as we worked together over the next couple of days, Signet demonstrated three behaviors that confirmed that culture starts with love.
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Reading is so important in acquiring knowledge. The older I become, the more I realize what I don’t know, and I make it an imperative to read on a daily basis. I am not asking you to give me a badge or trophy for reading. I want to encourage you to challenge those in your sphere of influence to read. I’ve curated a list of books that I’ve read over the last year that challenged me. I still continue to refer to them. Here are my favorites, which are a mix of personal development, leadership and business acumen, trauma, and sleep.
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I’ve been thinking about cheetahs and hippos recently. My friend Kyle Wilson is a cheetah in his thinking, and I am at best a hippo. I don’t like change and prefer things to stay the same. Kyle, however, is always thinking and challenging the status quo. Recently, I joined Kyle’s mastermind group called “the inner circle.” Little did I know that when I said “yes” that I would be introduced to cheetah-like thinkers. After spending a full day at Kyle’s house surrounded by thirty other individuals, I realized that it was time to evolve in my thinking.
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February 1st is a special for me. Every day on the right side of the ground is a brilliant day. Anytime you can wake up not pushing up daises is a great day. Twenty years ago I walked away from a daily free cup of coffee, a check, and a chair in cubicle farm to spark brilliance. Well, it still feels like day one and I am smiling bigger than a new baby. In a world of uncertainty, I’ve witnessed the power of holistic connectedness, human centeredness, and hope infusing individuals from all walks of life. Here are a few memorable moments that have been painted on the canvas in my mind that I just had to share with you. In this pictorial album of my soul, I hope you feel the energy, and exuberance of living without any regrets.
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In life, you’ll have moments of bitter defeat. I invite you to review one of the five key takeaways: Leave it all on the field. When I was 15 years old growing up in Buffalo, I almost gave up. According to society, I am supposed to be dead, in jail, or on drugs, etc. Nevertheless, I am still here. I am a proud fan of the Buffalo Bills. They represent the spirit and pride of amazing people. Even though I haven’t lived in Buffalo for thirty years, I still bleed blue, red, and white. It’s our time, and it’s your time.
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What’s there to learn about the mindset, skill set and willpower that allows them to achieve in any economy? How do they bounce back after a setback? What are the rituals, routines and revelations that allow them to flourish despite challenges? In a world where customers can buy anytime and in any way they like, sales professionals are moving faster, operating with more flexibility and putting significant emphasis on their mental health. Here are four tangible ways for you to have your best year ever:
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What comes to mind when you hear Strawberries & Cream Bundtlet, Red Velvet Bundtlet, or Key Lime Bundtlet? Better yet, how do you feel when you hear 10,000 bites of joy? Well, if you have a sweet tooth like me, then you probably know that I am talking about the pure joy of biting into a moist Nothing Bundt Cake (NBC).As much as I went to serve, I walked away with a new appreciation for a brand whose competitive edge is Joy! Here are some of my key takeaways that you can explore in your own business:
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Research says that the average worker will spend one-third of their lives in a place of business. I believe that if you are going to work, you might as well make it a fantastic experience. Here are 13 lessons I've learned in my professional journey.
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After 20 years of studying and working with best-in-class brands in multiple industries, I can tell you in a nano-second which companies are a cut above the rest. Take 5 is the bucket leader in the car wash industry. As a result of a series of acquisitions and mergers, they currently have 400 locations and are expanding quickly. Let's see why this is the best place to work!
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Thank goodness I’ve been able to experience another year around the sun. As a result, I’ve been reflecting on what I would tell my 40-year-old self about life, based on failure, successes, sadness, and joy.
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As a student of hospitality for the past 35 years, I am always excited to see how the best in class inspire their workforce. Recently, John Hart, a global senior director with Marriott Meetings & Events, invited me to share with the heart of the house. These 250 people managers are the magic behind Marriott’s Meetings & Events around the world.
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As I look back over the couple of decades since leaving Disney, I am convinced now more than ever before that being intentional about cultivating relationships is priceless.
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The hardest person to manage is the person in the mirror. Always hold yourself to a higher standard of excellence. Here's a few lessons I learned about how to manage transformation effectively.
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I submitted one of my success guides to an international company for distribution. A few weeks later, a “Dear John” email arrived in my mailbox. It stated: “After careful review of the information submitted, it has been decided that our distribution enterprise WILL NOT be accepting your success guide.” The letter closed with, “All the best wishes for your success!”That email arrived not long after I received a rejection email from another major international distributor. The email said in part, “Simon, we will not pursue carrying your success book. It is not strong enough. Thank you for sharing it with us. Continued success!” Why was my book rejected?
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As a person who has traveled all over the world and grown up in the hospitality industry, I know brilliant customer service when I feel it in my bones. Well, that’s what I experienced in Key West, Florida, with my bride. Everyone went out of their way to make sure we enjoyed our visit, and it didn’t take the jaws of life to pry open our wallets to spend money. They Sparked Customer Love. Let me tell you a story about Karl...
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Wells Enterprises’ purpose is to Bring JOY to Everyday Life. I love that a company is focused on spreading happiness to all of its customers. It’s at the heart of every decision they make. Joy is not something that is manufactured like synthetic diamonds. Joy comes from the heart. It’s emotional. It’s real and it’s a vibe that lifts the heaviest heart on a sad day.
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Contrary to what many seem to think, vulnerability is not a sign of weakness. Instead, it is indicative of courage and strength. Think back to any act of courage in the past, and you will be surprised to see an aspect of vulnerability showing through. All great leaders have this quality instilled within them...
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Being at your best as often as possible is the surest way to guarantee professional growth and personal fulfillment. How do you create that consistency when we struggle to get it right? Let's find out here.
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Being at your best as often as possible is the surest way to guarantee professional growth and personal fulfillment. How do you create that consistency when we struggle to get it right? Let's find out here.
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When I look at these key flourishing indicators that are important to employees, I can’t help but think about the virtual interview with Simon Sinek during the SAP’s Sapphire Now Event. Simon said something that still reverberates today: “The job of a leader is to no longer care about results. The job of a leader is to care about the people that care about the results. The job of the leader is to no longer care about the customer. The job of a leader is to care about the people who care about the customer.” -Simon Sinek
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Did you know that the average person in their lifetime will spend 90,000-plus hours working? That’s almost one-third of their life. Why not love your work and life at the same time?!? I had an amazing time with Slalom Consulting as I got to understand that their vision is more than just returning shareholder value and being the most profitable company in the world. It’s about developing people in their core competencies and coaching them to be their very best.
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Customer Service is a department. Customer Love is a mindset. Businesses that will thrive in what some experts call the ‘Next Normal’ must focus their attention on winning the hearts and minds of their customers.
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Within the last thirty days, I’ve spent time with top performers who were being recognized by their companies for producing awesome results in the prior fiscal year. One of those individuals was Marilyn Jones. She took a call from a customer that was having challenges. She didn’t pass his call. She handled it herself. The customer called her manager to say that Marilyn went above and beyond the call of duty to resolve his issue.
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When I read the e-mail, I felt like the dejected guy at my high school prom who asked the prettiest girl in the room to dance with him, and she gave him the “h-e double-hockey-stick” NO stare. In other words, I felt like I didn’t have a chance.
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Changes and global shifts are taking place constantly, impacting cultures, products, systems, and the way we make decisions on a daily basis. These shifts require us to change our mindsets in order to cope, or, simply put, vujá dé everything we do.Your mindset is critical to your success. Today, I’m offering you three ways to find your “yes” in a “no” world.
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At times, I overwork myself to the point of having so many balls in the air instead of concentrating my focus on one, two, or three things that are all working together. After flying for nearly 15 hours and changing planes in four states, I woke up to the fact that I need to trust the process and let go...
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One day, I woke up and realized that designer labels didn’t make the man; I made the designer things look better on me. My self-concept was warped into believing somehow I was better because of a label. How shallow is that thinking?
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Often, we think consistency is just about doing things again and again until we see results. However, if you’ve ever been in a rut, you know practice does not always make perfect. So why do we struggle so much to get it right? To really see movement in your life,…
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As the spark, you are a brilliant energized force to be reckoned with. And as a brilliant energized force, every single day, you wake up to say, “how do I do what I do?” Not because I have to, but because I want to.
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The next generation of leaders are entering the workforce in droves. As I think about them, I wished someone would pulled my ear, cut open my head and pour it in, or at least grab me by the collar and told me how to think about my personal brand in business. Maybe they did and I was too headstrong or a total goof ball to listen.
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O’Brilliant One, Lately, I’ve been sharing that it’s time to find our spark. I know what you’re thinking. What does it really mean to find your spark, and why is it important? Simply put: Finding your SPARK is your path to personal freedom. It’s how you take control of your…
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When you’re deep in the weeds and feeling stressed, it can be tempting to cancel your appointments and stay locked in your office grinding, cancel plans with friends, and sleep through your morning alarm rather than hit the gym...
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“Purpose”has become a loaded word. A lot of the writing and advice about finding your purpose gives you so many things to do: Complete this exercise, make this list, seek this project....
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The Big Quit. The Great Resignation. The Turnover Tsunami. There are many names for this era of employees making the decision to leave their jobs en masse. A variety of factors have led to this, but the fact is that a large number of employees are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with…
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Years ago, one of my mentors told me that readers are leaders and leaders are readers. Well, that statement became a mental tattoo and I never forgot. Jim Rohn said it best: “The book you don’t read won’t help.” According to a Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults, 23%…
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Did you know that the future is for sale? And every single day, you buy the future by how you think, what you say, what you feel, and what you do. When the future is for sale, you discover that the future is created in the present.
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As the spark, you are a brilliant energized force to be reckoned with. And as a brilliant energized force, every single day, you wake up to say, “how do I do what I do?” Not because I have to, but because I want to.
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The only creature on the planet that has the ability to reason and decide to create the future instead of waiting for it to be created is YOU! At this season, O' Brilliant One, you are being stretched to shine.
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Simply put, releasing your brilliance means releasing the genius within you. It’s living from the inside out – it’s finding your inner light and letting it shine for the whole world to see. It’s discovering and leveraging your unique talents and your pure, intuitive intelligence.
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A good leader must set an example, and if they are unable to take charge of the moment and carry out what needs to be done, then those around them will follow suit and always lack the courage to do what is required in the moment.
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A lot of people have often asked me over the last few weeks what my thoughts are regarding “The Great Resignation” that is happening globally. And I just created something I wanted to give to all of you, and that is just: CHILL. CHILL is an acronym that I created to help us think about this Great Resignation time.
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Many individuals come up with great business ideas, but due to their lack of business experience or understanding, fail miserably and are never able to materialize their business aspirations. However, what separates a true and successful entrepreneur from those with just great ideas is the most important word in business – ‘grit’.
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Good interpersonal skills are the hallmark of all great leaders. There is no leadership without effective communication, and those possessing the art of delivering thoughts and ideas in meaningful ways are those who are most successful.
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Fifteen years ago, I walked away from a job as Sales and New Business Development Director of the world-renowned Disney Institute based at Walt Disney World Resort (#Disney).* I had a guaranteed paycheck and benefits galore. I didn’t want for anything and was on the fast track to a bright career future. In the midst of living my own version of the American dream, something was missing.
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In our competitive workforce, it's crucial that you stand out from the other candidates vying for the same opportunities. Sponsors — individuals within an organization who see your potential and point you in the right direction — can help you define your personal brand and act as your advocate.
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I was recently invited to speak at AT&T, IBM, MasterCard, and Microsoft. While there, I decided to lean in and learn what are they telling their employees, which inevitably will have a direct impact on their customers. The common thread throughout their communications is summed up in following statement: The adult day care center is officially closed; it’s time for you to own your career.
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To become a leader who listens, you must learn some valuable skills, and apply them, incorporating a paradigm shift into how you interact with your teammates on a day-to-day basis.
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Whatever you are moving toward, that goal is also moving toward you. What are focusing on right now? Do you believe in it? Whatever you’re aiming for, please put your head, heart, and hands into it. Finish what you start.
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Once you shift your brilliance, you have more control over whatever comes your way, and you can define your future in the present. When you take control of the wheel on the road leading to your destiny, you can navigate your life away from obstacles and ensure a smooth ride ahead.
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