The Climb: Insights on People, Process, and Growth

As a small business owner, I don’t have a formal board of directors, but I do have my unofficial board. These are the trusted business and thought leaders who challenge my thinking, push me toward growth, and help shape the direction of my company. They are my sounding board, my strategic advisors, and sometimes, my gentle reality check. Entrepreneurship can be both exhilarating and terrifying. It’s filled with high highs and low lows, and at times, it can feel isolating, lik

Automation isn't coming; it's here. AI is transforming the way we sell, hire, and lead. But the real question isn’t what's next for technology, it's what’s next for people.  As AI grows, so does the need to align your most valuable resource, your people, in ways that drive innovation, growth, and efficiency. Yes, the unknown is uncomfortable. But what’s more frightening is letting the status quo erode your profits, stall your success, and destroy morale. The answer isn't fear

AI is reshaping the way we work, automating repetitive tasks, streamlining processes, and giving us back our most valuable asset: time. But as machines take on the mechanical, it’s the human touch that will define the next great wave of business success. Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of dining at The Den in Miami, a previously Michelin-starred restaurant that reminded me what true excellence feels like. The food was extraordinary, but what truly elevated the experience

Trading in my business suit and laptop for a few days. Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, or individual contributor, downtime isn't a luxury; it’s a necessity. Recharging your body, mind, and soul is essential if you want to lead, create, and perform at your best. For most of my career, I lived on the road. Airports, hotels, and conference rooms became second nature. I'm comfortable traveling solo, grabbing dinner at the bar, and working from just about anywhere. But for

I hear a lot of recruiters and business owners talk about “culture fit.” It's become a common phrase, but often, a lazy one. Culture fit has come to mean “Do they share our values?” or “Would we want to grab a drink with them?” While ethos matters, it doesn’t tell you whether the person is aligned with the role, the mission, or the outcomes required for success. Culture fit is about belonging. Alignment is about impact. When someone is aligned, they not only understand the co

Lately, I've been thinking about the growing trend of ghosting, not just in business, but in our personal lives too. Somewhere along the way, it's become more common for people to disappear from relationships, conversations, and commitments without a word. No explanation. No closure. Just silence. I see it happen everywhere, with our kids, our friends, in families, and even in professional settings. It's disturbing how normalized this has become. I’ve always believed that peo

We talk a lot about introverts and extroverts, but that's only part of the story. Sociability isn't about which side of that line you fall on; it’s about how connection fuels or drains your energy. People with high sociability are external processors. They think out loud. They need and want to share ideas, talk things through, and often gain clarity in the process. These are the people who thrive in group settings, naturally network, and can read a room with ease. Their energ

Sometimes the hardest question has the simplest answer. We often overcomplicate success, chasing new strategies, certifications, and titles, when real growth starts with passion, curiosity, and consistency.  Consistency matters most. You can't lift once a month and expect to be fit. Leadership is no different. It's a discipline, not a destination. Whether you're new, developing, or seasoned, your growth depends on how consistently you invest in learning, reflection, mentorshi

Small and midmarket businesses often reach a point where growth requires more structure, leadership, and strategy, but not necessarily more full-time hires. That's where fractional leaders come in. Engaging experienced fractional executives enables organizations to leverage decades of expertise in sales, marketing, operations, technology, and more, all without the cost and commitment of a full-time executive. As a Fractional Sales Leader, I help clients: ✅ Build and refine th

Every day, I talk to hardworking, intelligent, high-quality people who feel completely drained, not because they don’t care, but because...

🚂 Just like the steam engine changed everything... AI is doing it again. When steam power arrived, it didn’t just make factories faster,...

When I started my career, I thought I’d become an attorney. Life had other plans. Instead, I built a career with companies such as Cisco,...