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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.
Inherited Leadership: Lessons from a Team I Didn’t Build
I didn’t want the job.
That’s not how leadership stories are supposed to start, but this one doesn’t need a filter.
At the time, I was in a good spot. Strong performance. Clear lane. Things were working. Then came the conversation.
“This would be a great opportunity for you.”
What Happened to Leadership? And How We Get It Back
I once heard about an employee who interviewed for a full-time role inside their company. They were…
Leadership Lessons from a Terrible Rideshare
We’re taught to focus on results. Outcomes. Finish lines. And in many workplaces, those things are rewarded above all else. If the job gets done, the “how” is often ignored or worse, dismissed as unimportant.
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.
