From a Village in Romania to Global Leadership: The Power of Self-Investment
Last week, I found myself standing in front of a small building in a quiet Romanian village—Barasti de Vede. It was the same place where I spent summers as a child, in a kindergarten with peeling paint and worn-out playground equipment. Thirty-five years ago, the place looked different—post-communist, unpolished, a reflection of an environment still reeling from economic hardship. But as I stood there, under the same sky, staring at the same walls, I realized something: This was where my story began. And it’s not the kind of story you’d expect from someone in leadership today. The road to where I am now—a leadership coach and consultant—didn’t start in an entrepreneurial family or with a wealth of resources. My parents were workers. We didn’t talk about business strategies or investment portfolios over dinner. The idea of global leadership or professional growth wasn’t even a concept that entered the conversation. And yet, there was always something in me that pushed for more. As I...
You’re Never Too Young to Be a Great Leader, You’re Never Too Old to Be a Better One
I once walked into a room where the air buzzed with excitement—tech experts and engineers from all corners of the world gathered for a conference. A young developer stood at the podium, just 26 years old, giving a presentation on a breakthrough solution his team had been working on. You could feel the energy in the room shift. People leaned in. Some skeptical eyes softened as they realized the young leader before them wasn’t just knowledgeable—he was inspiring. What struck me wasn’t just his technical brilliance but his ability to lead, despite his age. He demonstrated a growth mindset, an empathy-driven mindset, and an ownership mindset in ways that many leaders twice his age struggle with. That day, it became clear to me: You’re never too young to be a great leader, and you’re never too old to be a better one. Let’s talk about these three mindsets that set the stage for great leadership, and more importantly, how you can know when you’re living them out—and when you’re not. Growth...
From Orlando to Your Office: The Secret to Developing Leaders, Not Followers
I recently found myself standing in the middle of a bustling conference room in Orlando, Florida, the air humming with the energy of hundreds of leaders gathered together, eager to learn and grow. The International Maxwell Conference (IMC) was in full swing, and as I looked around, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of excitement. T he room was filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, the kind that jolts your senses and sharpens your focus, mingling with the faint scent of new carpet—a sign of a place that had been purposefully prepared for something important. As the crowd settled, John Maxwell, a man whose wisdom has shaped the lives of countless leaders around the world, stepped onto the stage. His presence immediately commanded attention, not just because of his reputation, but because of the profound respect that emanated from everyone in the room. I could feel the collective anticipation, a kind of electric buzz, as he began to speak. John didn’t just talk about...
The Best Investment a Leader Can Make
Imagine you're a leader in a tech organization. (This might be you, so you don't need to imagine; just recall when this happened last.) You’re in a meeting with your team. The usual frustrations bubble up—missed deadlines, lack of ownership, or just the sense that people aren’t fully engaged. You start thinking, “I need better people. Where can I find more talented, motivated folks who actually care?” It’s that frustrating mix of stress, uncertainty, and maybe even a bit of exhaustion—you’re doing everything you can, but things still aren’t clicking. You might be thinking, "Why can’t I just find the right people?" It feels like the solution has to be out there somewhere, just beyond reach. The question we should be asking isn’t “How can I get better people?” The real question is, “How can I become a better leader so I can attract better people?” John Maxwell nailed it when he said, “The first investment you have to make is in yourself. You cannot give what you do not have.” If we’re...
Why I Traveled 36 Hours for One Event – And Why It Was Worth Every Minute
Imagine this: It’s Friday evening in Denmark. The sun’s just starting to come down, and the cool breeze carries a hint of rain. My taxi pulls up outside my house at 5 p.m., and off I go. Not to a dinner, not to a relaxing weekend – but to a 36-hour journey across airports, time zones, and a mix of fast food and stiff airplane seats. Why would anyone do that? I’ll tell you why: growth. The kind of growth that isn’t comfortable, easy, or convenient. The kind of growth that pushes us to new levels so we can lead better, serve better, and show up as our very best selves. The Journey to Growth I spent the night at a small hotel near Aalborg Airport. The bed was a little too firm, the room too quiet – the kind of silence that makes it hard to sleep because your mind is racing about what lies ahead. An early flight out took me through Amsterdam, then Manchester, and finally, after 19 long hours, I touched down in Orlando. You know that mix of exhaustion and anticipation when you’re running...
The Power of Performance Reviews: A Personal Journey
A few years ago, I walked into my performance review feeling confident. I had led several projects to success, received positive feedback from my team, and felt I was on the right track. The sun was shining, the office was buzzing with the scent of fresh coffee, and I could hear the hum of conversations around me. I was ready for praise and perhaps even a discussion about my next steps up the ladder. But then, my manager's evaluation surprised me. He highlighted several areas where I needed improvement. Areas I hadn't even considered problematic. My confidence wavered as he went on, and I felt a mix of confusion and frustration. Why hadn't any of this come up before? Why was I only hearing about these issues now? That day was a turning point for me. It taught me a crucial lesson about the importance of regular 1:1s and performance reviews. Let me share why these practices are vital for leaders and their teams, especially in the tech and engineering sectors. Clarity is Key Imagine...
How One Leader’s “Failure Meetings” Cultivated a Thriving Growth Culture
Imagine you're sitting in a meeting room at a tech company led by Andrew, a visionary CEO known for his innovative approach. Andrew starts the meeting with a question most leaders never ask their teams: "What did you try last week that failed?" As odd as this sounds, it was not an unusual question for Andrew's team. Every time he asks it during their Tuesday "failure meetings," the room buzzes with anticipation as team members begin to share their stories of failed experiments, bold attempts, and lessons learned. Andrew's company thrives on these failure meetings, where failure isn't just tolerated—it's celebrated. By embracing failures, Andrew has cultivated a growth culture that fuels innovation and drives the company's success. If you were in Andrew’s meeting, what would you share to be your failures this past week? What about your team's failures? What would they report to the failure meeting? Andrew’s approach to failure is revolutionary. By holding regular failure meetings, he...
Seeing Failure in the Correct Light: The 7 Abilities Needed to Fail Forward
Imagine standing on the edge of a vast desert, the scorching sun overhead, the sand shifting beneath your feet. This was the atmosphere at SpaceX in 2008, as Elon Musk and his team faced the aftermath of their third failed rocket launch. The tension was palpable, the smell of burnt fuel still lingering in the air. The mood was somber, the weight of failure pressing down heavily on everyone. Elon Musk, however, had a different perspective. He saw this failure not as a defeat but as a stepping stone. "Every successful person is someone who failed, yet never regarded themselves as a failure," says John Maxwell. Musk knew that failure was a part of the journey, a necessary component of ultimate success. The Reality of Failure In the world of mobility, tech, and engineering, failure is inevitable. Projects don't always go as planned, and setbacks can feel insurmountable. But how we perceive and respond to failure makes all the difference. This is where John Maxwell's concept of "Failing...
One Leader’s 4-Phase Journey Through the Five Levels of Leadership
Leadership often takes a backseat to technical prowess in the bustling world of tech and engineering. However, leadership is the force multiplier that can elevate a team from good to great. Let me share a story that highlights the transformative power of leadership. Meet Emma, a brilliant software engineer in the mobility sector. Emma was exceptional at her job, always at the cutting edge of technology. However, she often found herself frustrated with her team's performance. Despite their technical skills, they struggled with collaboration and motivation. Emma initially dismissed the importance of leadership skills, believing that technical excellence was all that mattered. But her frustration led her to explore leadership further, and it transformed her career. Emma's journey started with the realization that there was more to leadership than she had imagined. One day, during a particularly challenging project, her mentor introduced her to John Maxwell's concept of the 5 Levels of...
47 Key Books Every Leader Must Read (this Summer? 😮)
What are you reading this summer? As we dive into the heart of the season, it's a perfect time to reflect on the power of reading. Books are more than just words on a page—they are gateways to new perspectives, strategies, and insights. They challenge our thinking, broaden our understanding, and equip us with the tools to navigate the complexities of leadership with confidence and empathy. Reading has been a cornerstone of my development in my journey as an individual, a leader, and, lately, a leadership consultant and executive coach. It has provided me with the wisdom and inspiration to guide leaders like you towards achieving remarkable results. In the spirit of growth and continuous learning, I'm excited to share my personal library and reading recommendations with you. Whether you're an aspiring leader looking to build a strong foundation or an experienced leader seeking fresh insights, these books have the power to transform your leadership journey. Here’s a curated list of 47...
Attitude is always a ‘player’ on your team
As Mark walked into the high-tech automotive workshop, the scent of metal and grease mingled with the faint aroma of fresh coffee. Engineers were busy, their focus shifting between computer screens and electric car components. The atmosphere buzzed with activity, but beneath the surface, a different energy brewed—one driven by attitude. A few months ago, Mark, a senior manager at an automotive engineering firm, hit a rough patch. The state of the economy, geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, and top-down decisions from the mother company in China weighed heavily on him. These challenges cluttered his vision, and he became fixated on circumstances beyond his control. Mark’s once vibrant energy dulled. The workshop, once filled with enthusiasm and innovation, began to feel heavy. Conversations that used to hum with excitement now carried a somber tone. The soft whir of electrical components was overshadowed by a palpable sense of frustration. Mark’s attitude was seeping into the...
How one leader equipped her team for REAL success
Imagine stepping into a bustling automotive workshop, the air filled with the faint hum of electrical components being tested. The scent of metal and lubricant mingles with the occasional whiff of fresh coffee. Engineers are focused on the latest prototypes of electric cars, the soft whir of transformers and capacitors creating a symphony of innovation. It’s another day in the world of engineering, where cutting-edge technology meets the drive for excellence. Today, I want to share a story that illustrates how equipping others for success can multiply your influence as a leader. But first, let’s explore the different types of leaders and their approaches to development. Three Types of Leaders In my experience, leaders generally fall into three categories when it comes to equipping themselves and their teams. The Overlookers The first type is the Overlookers. These leaders believe that they don't need to develop themselves. They think their role is to hire coaches, trainers, or...
The Foundation of REAL Success: Building Strong Relationships
Imagine stepping into the office on a crisp Monday morning, the smell of fresh coffee wafting through the air. As you walk down the hallway, you notice the familiar hum of computers and the soft murmur of conversations. The energy is palpable, and it’s not just because of the pending deadlines or the innovative projects in the pipeline. It’s the relationships that fuel this environment, and today, I want to share a story that illustrates why building strong relationships is the cornerstone of REAL success. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of working with Sarah, a brilliant software engineer turned project manager in a leading tech company. Sarah was exceptional at her job, but she realized that her technical prowess alone wasn’t enough to elevate her team’s performance. She needed to connect on a deeper level with her team, colleagues, clients, and even vendors to achieve the synergy required for success. The Power of Close Relationships Sarah started by focusing on her close...
The 4 Dimensions of Culture: A Journey from Complacency to Courage
Picture this: a tech company that once soared high with groundbreaking innovations, celebrated for its early successes. Let's call it Innovatech. For years, Innovatech basked in the glory of its initial achievements, the sweet scent of victory filling their state-of-the-art offices. However, over time, this very success became their Achilles' heel. The Complacent Phase I first encountered Innovatech when they were in the Complacent phase. The office still buzzed with the energy of past triumphs, but it was clear the spark had dimmed. The once-lively brainstorming sessions now felt routine, almost stale. Teams were comfortable, too comfortable, resting on their laurels. The company had become a living museum of its past glories. I asked their CEO, Sarah, to reflect on their current culture. She admitted they had stopped pushing boundaries. "We're resting on our success," she said. "We've lost the drive to innovate." The Compliant Phase Our first step was to move from complacency to...
How to Delegate and Empower (not just dump tasks)
As a leader, you understand the pressures of managing a heavy workload. But are you truly leveraging your team's strengths to maximize productivity and innovation? Let me share the story of Mark, a talented but overwhelmed leader, and how a shift in his delegation approach transformed his leadership and his team's performance. The Struggle with Delegation Mark was always on the go. His calendar was packed with meetings, project deadlines, and countless tasks that demanded his attention. He was known for his expertise and dedication, but there was one thing he struggled with—delegation. Mark felt it was faster and easier to do things himself rather than pass tasks on to his team. Walking into his office one morning, the smell of freshly brewed coffee barely masked his frustration. His desk, cluttered with reports and proposals, was a testament to his overwhelming workload. He felt the weight of every decision he had to make, every problem he had to solve. His team was capable, yet...
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