“Answer intelligence is the ability to provide elevated answers to important questions. Each of us has important conversations, and your ability to influence others is predicated on your ability to provide high-quality answers.” - Dr. Brian

Leadership is a lot like parenting. 1) It is a person you become, not a position you hold. 2) “They” are always watching.” 3) What you do is far more important than what you say. That means investing in your own personal development and leading by example. You can’t change anyone else, they have to change themselves—but the best way to inspire others to thrive is to demonstrate that thriving yourself. Let’s take a look at some of the ways leaders can invest in their own growth and development.

As a business leader, you know that trust and transparency are essential for your organization to thrive. But have you ever considered implementing policies that some might consider radical? Compensation Transparency, Forced Distribution in Annual Ratings, and Setting & Supporting Personal & Professional Goals may seem radical at first glance, but if implemented properly they can help build trust between business leaders and their teams - which leads to greater success for everyone involved! 

The recent shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) serves as a stark reminder of what can happen when an organization fails to invest in leadership development. Failure to invest in leadership is like playing Russian Roulette with your organization, it’s not if, it’s when catastrophe will occur. Fortunately, there are three Stronger Leaders Stronger Profits Leadership Truths that serve as the cultural basis for establishing a successful leadership culture.

Getting organized doesn't have to be overwhelming; it just requires taking small steps every day toward building better habits and investing in yourself. With systems in place and an eye toward planning ahead while taking care of yourself along the way, you'll be well on your way to having an amazing 2023! So take some time this January – whether it's 5 minutes or 50 – and get started on achieving those goals!

Flow is the optimal mental state for creative problem-solving. It's when you're completely focused on what you're doing and lose track of time. So use this holiday period as an opportunity to practice entering into this optimal mental space by focusing on one specific task and adjusting your difficulty level accordingly until you find that perfect balance between boredom and frustration. Once you find it, reap all the rewards from being in the zone!

Why do vampires make terrible businessmen? 

!They can't deal with stakeholders!

Life is too short to take yourself too seriously, and having a sense of humor can make all the difference. Going through life with a good attitude and a willingness to laugh at yourself can have positive impacts on your quality of life, health, and happiness. Not only that but having a healthy sense of humor is a powerful trait for any successful business leader or entrepreneur. 

As a combat veteran of both Iraq & Afghanistan, death became impossible to ignore and it forced me to become comfortable contemplating it. I truly believe that the quality of every second of your life improves once you are able to stare your mortality in the face. Life is short—we all know that. Most people rarely stop and think about what that means. When you reflect on your mortality, it can give more value to each day and help you build gratitude for the life you have now.

The holiday season can be both an exciting and stressful time of year. With the combination of work, end-of-year deadlines, family obligations, and travel plans, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why it’s so important to take the time to focus on self-care. Here are three tips business leaders and entrepreneurs can use to recharge their batteries during this hectic season. 

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and lots of food. But if you're a business leader or entrepreneur, it's also a time to make sure your team stays focused and on task. After all, the holiday season is often one of the busiest times of the year for many businesses.

Perspective and gratitude are the foundation of Self-Leadership mastery because they provide fuel, an eternal well of motivation for your life. But when you shift your perspective to gratitude for the family members that selflessly raised you, or those that provided guidance, a safe space, or took the time to teach you lessons about the world like coaches, teachers, mentors, and friends; then it’s not just about you anymore. Make your Thanksgiving count this year by attaching action to your gratitude and take your next step towards greatness!

Not all music is created equal when it comes to productivity. Some genres, like metal and rap, might work great for working out or manual labor, but they make it harder to focus on mental tasks. Instead, try listening to instrumental music or tunes with no lyrics. This will help you stay focused on the task at hand without getting distracted by the words of the song.

Veterans ask only one thing from you and it’s not “thanks.” Don’t get me wrong, a “thank you for your service,” every now and again is very much appreciated, but to be honest, it’s not enough. I made the choice to serve, and I am proud and grateful for the unique experiences I had. I learned to push my mental toughness to levels few will ever comprehend. I worked with some of the most dedicated, genuine, and selfless humans on the planet. I know I made a difference. As a Veteran, and on behalf of my brothers and sisters who have preceded me to Vahalla, we only ask one thing from you in return for our sacrifices…be an American worth fighting, dying, and killing for.

Perseverance is the difference between ultimate success and failure—you must train it to maximize outcomes. Stress is your tool for sharpening your mindset. The old saying, “growth doesn’t happen inside comfort zones,” is both true and illustrates the concept of stress inoculation. So, whether you are trying to remedy a weakness or fear that is hindering you from living your optimal life, or building on your strengths to reach new levels of output, you must push yourself incrementally under increasing levels of intensity. So make a plan of attack and get outside your comfort zone today!

Changing your perspective, changes your brain, which changes your life. Did you know that you are able to rewire your brain to reward nearly any behavior? That’s right, you can get a hit of dopamine and adrenaline to workout, study, or eat vegetables. Be the master of your mindset, biology, and life, not a slave to it. Create your own positive echo chamber and use the amazing neuroplasticity of your brain to your advantage. Embrace the love of the process. Just as in life, the journey is the best part, the journey is all we have.

We do not all live in the same reality. The same physical world, yes, but everyone’s reality or Model of the World is different. Your perspective of yourself, of others, and of the world shapes your reality. It is not easy to change your self-perception or Model of the World, but it is very possible. You are the master of your life, take charge today, no excuses, just action.

Leadership is the most powerful force in the world. It all starts with the leaders at the top living the example. This doesn’t mean they are perfect, it means they are committed to constant improvement and have dedicated years to this craft. Leadership by example isn’t a leadership “style”, it’s the non-negotiable foundation of quality leadership itself.

During my 10 years leading frontline combat troops, I developed the 5Bravo Communication Method by combining different military doctrines and practices into a concise and effective communications tool. It can be used in your professional and personal life to improve your relationships, decrease errors, and improve organizational output.

The 5Bravo Communication Method: Task. Purpose. Intent. Endstate. Timeline. Backbrief.