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Leading people is a lot like parenting—rewarding, frustrating, and sometimes you have no idea what you’re doing. I’ve been there. That’s why this blog exists—to give you real insights, practical tools, and a few laughs along the way. Because leadership doesn’t have to be so complicated.
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Lessons from Tricky Vicky: The Series
Lessons from Tricky Vicky: What a Difficult Manager Taught Me About Leadership
Some leadership lessons come from great mentors. Others come from people who unknowingly shape you through their missteps, blind spots, or behavior.
This is one of those stories.
For several years during my time at Coca-Cola, I worked under a manager I’ll call Tricky Vicky. That’s not her real name, but it captures the experience. She was sharp, strategic, and successful. She was also unpredictable, hard to read, and often led through control more than trust.
We started strong. We didn’t end that way.
Week by week, I’ll be sharing short stories from our time together—moments that challenged me, frustrated me, and ultimately shaped how I lead today. You’ll find no bitterness here, just honest reflection and real-world leadership lessons. Each story closes with a principle and a question for you to consider.
If you’ve ever worked under a difficult leader, or wondered how your influence impacts those you lead, I hope these stories help you reflect and grow.
New stories added weekly.
Scroll down to read the latest.
When the Ground Dropped Out at Coca-Cola
A surprise HR meeting at Coca-Cola forced me to face tough questions about integrity, leadership, and side pursuits. Here’s what I learned.
Hope Isn’t Hype—It’s What You Carry
In a world stretched thin and worn down, hope is more than a hashtag. For Christian business leaders, hope isn’t something you hype—it’s something you carry. Real, rooted, Spirit-shaped hope is formed in you by God and flows through you to the people you lead. It fuels vision, builds trust, and gives people a reason to believe in a better tomorrow.
The Ethics Exam That Changed How I Think About Leadership
Facing my final MBA exam, I had one shot to graduate. Instead of playing it safe, I took a risk—challenging the problem itself. That moment changed how I think about leadership. Great leaders don’t just answer questions—they redefine them.
Flushed with Wisdom: Leadership Lessons from an Unfortunate Phone Drop
I fumbled my phone… and watched in horror as it took a swan dive into the toilet. In that moment, I faced a real leadership test: Own my mistake or pretend it never happened? Turns out, leadership is a lot like that—handling the unexpected and laughing at yourself.
First Class Frustration: A Lesson in Leadership (and Airline Shenanigans)
A simple seat swap on a flight turned into an unexpected leadership lesson. When tensions flared at baggage claim, I had to decide—let it go or step in? The way we handle difficult moments says more about our leadership than the situations themselves.
