LEADING WITH PURPOSE. Why Joining a Nonprofit Board Could Be Your Next Big Move

Nonprofit organizations are the backbone of many communities, filling critical gaps and providing essential services. For those considering ways to make a tangible difference, serving on a nonprofit board could be one of the most fulfilling paths. Not only does it allow you to contribute to a cause, but it also opens up doors for personal and professional growth. If you’ve thought about getting involved but aren’t sure what to expect, this post is for you.

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/question-mark-on-chalk-board-356079/

Read More
THE POWER OF NETWORKING. Building Bridges to Success.

Networking…ugh. Just the thought f it can make some of us want to run for the hills, but in today’s interconnected world, the ability to build and maintain a robust network is more critical than ever. Networking isn't just about collecting business cards or adding connections on LinkedIn; it's about creating meaningful relationships that can provide support, guidance, and opportunities throughout your career.

Photo by Merve Tülek : https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-cups-of-coffee-on-wooden-saucers-11073146/

Read More
Angela Braun
THE HEART OF LEADERSHIP. Why Human Skills Matter.

Soft skills, hard skills. Personally, I’m not a fan of these terms. I prefer human skills and technical skills because there is nothing soft about  human skills. They can be much harder to master.  In the realm of executive leadership, the spotlight often shines on technical expertise, strategic vision, and operational efficiency. While these elements are undeniably crucial, the significance of human skills should not be underestimated. Human skills, such as empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence, play a pivotal role in effective leadership.

Photo by Clara: https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-heart-balloon-on-top-of-floor-832761/

Read More
THE CASE FOR CURIOSITY. Unlocking the Power of Innovation and Growth.

Curiosity killed the cat. 

Honestly, I detest this is a well-known proverb that warns of the dangers of unnecessary investigation or experimentation. It serves as a cautionary tale, warning individuals, especially children, about the potential risks of prying into matters that don’t concern them.


Photo by Isabella Mendes: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photography-of-cat-979003/

Read More
WANT TO BE A STRATEGIC LEADER? Managing Time is Everything.

Time is the most important asset we have. This has been known to get an eyebrow raise. “What about health? What about relationships” Yes, and you need time for all of those things. Time is a value system of mine and it translates across personal and professional domains.

Photo by Oladimeji Ajegbile: https://www.pexels.com/photo/round-silver-colored-wall-clock-2853664/

Read More
COACHING, MENTORSHIP, OR SPONSORSHIP. Navigating Career Growth.

In the journey to break the glass ceiling and achieve professional growth, women often face unique challenges. Coaching, mentorship, and sponsorship are all vital tools in the professional development toolkit. And they are not always the same person. In fact, they are often different people and should be cultivated along the corporate path.

Photo by Element5 Digital: https://www.pexels.com/photo/flat-lay-photography-of-person-touching-silver-ipad-on-world-map-chart-beside-black-hat-1051077/


Read More
THE GREAT DEBATE. Efficiency vs. Effectiveness?

What do you think is more important?

In this fast-paced world of business and personal productivity, the terms efficiency and effectiveness are often used interchangeably, but they are distinct concepts. Let’s explore what these are, how to foster them and quite frankly ensure that we as leaders understand how ti use them wisely.

Photo by dikilitas: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhouette-of-person-standing-near-windmill-3641013/

Read More
UNLOCKING INNOVATION. How a Culture of Experimentation Drives Success.

What do Google, Amazon, and Tesla all have in common? These companies show that when you really get behind a culture of experimentation, amazing things can happen.  Why is this important? Cultivating an innovative, agile organization that continuously adapts can drive long-term success and growth.

Interested in how? Read on.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-draw-a-light-bulb-in-white-board-3758105/

Read More
READY TO FUEL INNOVATION IN YOUR COMPANY? Use THIS Approach.

I have always been driven by insatiable curiosity. This includes using quantitative data to drive innovation that leads to operational excellence and the qualitative approach in better understanding what drives human behaviour. You need quantitative to help drive decisions, the numbers don’t lie, but it's equally important to understand context.

Photo by Creative Vix: https://www.pexels.com/photo/lighted-pendant-lights-390659/

Read More
ELEVATE YOUR LEADERSHIP. Lessons from the Sky.

There’s something undeniably thrilling about flying. Maybe it’s the #avgeek in me, but the aviation industry fascinates me—the intricate choreography of countless moving parts coming together to get that plane in the sky. With twenty years of corporate experience in aviation, from frontline roles to headquarters, and collaborating with airports across the globe, I’ve gleaned invaluable lessons both professionally and personally. Now, I’m channeling those insights into my leadership journey.

Photo by Alex Azabache: https://www.pexels.com/photo/airplane-over-white-clouds-3757137/

Read More
WANT TO KNOW A SECRET? The Profit Lies in your Passion

If you want to see growth, you have to realize that you can’t do everything on your own. You can’t be the visionary AND have your hand in the administration, marketing, and operations all at the same time. You can try every productivity trick in the book to get all these things done, but unless you magically become the expert in everything; all you’ll get is a never ending to do list, more overwhelm and eventually complete burnout.

Photo by Anete Lusina: https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-woman-filling-calendar-for-month-5239919/

Read More
PERFECTIONISM VERSUS MASTERY: Which Are You Striving For?

“What’s wrong with perfectionism?” I asked. “It depends,” my coach said. “Are you coming from a place of love or fear?” What does that mean? I had always prided myself on my perfectionistic tendencies. Didn't that just mean that I cared greatly about my output? Not exactly. 

Photo by Cup of Couple: https://www.pexels.com/photo/modern-computer-on-table-in-room-6177589/

Read More
HOW TO FUTURE PROOF Your Long Term Career Goals

I remember sitting in a leadership summit with 500 leaders from around the world.  Money well spent, in my opinion, as the topic was the updated vision of the organization and the re-engagement of the company culture; essentially a refresh of the Mission, Vision and Values (MVV). It made sense from a corporate perspective, but as I walked out of that room, I thought to myself, “I wonder how many people know what their personal MVV is or even have one?”

Photo by Philipp Birmes: https://www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-photo-of-four-high-rise-curtain-wall-buildings-under-white-clouds-and-blue-sky-830891/

Read More
SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK. What Skills Do You Need to Focus On?

How many times have you heard how important it is for leaders to demonstrate self-awareness, emotional intelligence, inclusion, mindfulness, empathy, social intelligence, and learning agility? Don’t forget the importance of advanced technical skills, continuing education, being a part of  industry associations, and cultivating your professional brand and network. This doesn’t include the reality of boots on ground work, deadlines, managing up, being a master of time management and efficiency and the growth and development of your teams.

Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva: https://www.pexels.com/photo/socket-wrenches-and-tools-in-a-case-9607054/

Read More
LIFE LONG LEARNING. What’s On Your To Learn List?

If I had a million dollars…..

Does anyone else remember playing this game when they were younger? I remember playing this all the time.

If I had a million dollars… I would travel the world and become a forever student. Academia, basket weaving, doesn't matter to me; I just want to learn new things and see the wonders of the world. I look back on this now and recognize this love of learning has been with me my whole life. Here's the thing though, learning is so much more than academia; it also includes life lessons and exploring curiosity

Photo by Luis Lima: https://www.pexels.com/photo/lightning-on-night-sky-10514728/

Read More
SELF REFLECTION. How to Reach Your Work and Life Goals

Before you begin your annual goal-setting mission, it’s imperative to start with self-reflection. Why? Because if you don’t, you can blindly wander down this path called life wondering why things never change. You will  continue to live in a reality blind-spot, creating the same vicious circle and wondering why you’re in the exact same spot as last year. You will also fail to achieve anything extraordinarily new. 

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/pile-of-rock-near-lake-355863/

Read More
DECLUTTER YOUR MIND. The Secret to Better Focus and Productivity.

Who else is in full spring-cleaning mode? I’ve been decluttering my surroundings, my business model, AND also focusing on decluttering my mindset. When your mind is cluttered, it wastes your precious time and mental energy which prevents acting on priorities, making decisions, having focus, and being productive. And it also doesn’t feel good, am I right?

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-writing-on-white-paper-on-white-table-4065892/

Read More
MANIFESTO MOTIVATION. Is the MVV still relevant?

What do you think of when you hear the word Manifesto? A call to action, an inspired movement? Manifestos are best known for political movements, but why aren’t they used more in business? Don’t get me wrong, the good old-fashioned Mission, Vision, Values (MVV) is still powerful, but if it’s just something you write down, laminate, throw in a drawer never to be seen again, it won’t be a rallying cry for your business or yourself.

Photo by Sumit Rai: https://www.pexels.com/photo/monochrome-photo-of-person-holding-sparkler-1590174/

Read More
A WORD OF THE YEAR. Does it Matter?

Ready to make changes in 2021? I don’t know about you, but I love the concept of choosing a Word of the Year.  I decided to give it a go because I'm a big believer in laser focus and clarity on what we want to create in our lives. It provides an anchor and encourages us to consciously (and subconsciously) consider this word of focus when making decisions of what we want more of and what we want to have less of in life. It provides a lens in which to look through when at a crossroads.

Photo by Claire Morgan: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-cup-beside-books-4068029/

Read More
WHAT IF I CHOOSE WRONG? The Only Bad Decision Is Indecision

What if I choose wrong? Ugh…indecision. Here’s the thing. Indecision is a decision. And the decision to do nothing creates inaction. Action is often the difference between success and failure. According to a recent study published in Harvard Business Review, one of the four things that set successful CEOs apart is the ability to make decisions with speed and conviction.

Photo by Tung Lam: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-road-arrow-sign-117025/

Read More