I was on a hike here in Las Vegas recently, and I’ve got to be honest—it was a struggle.
This wasn’t some massive mountain expedition. It was a smaller mountain overlooking the city, but don’t let the size fool you. The climb at times was steep, and with every step, and my legs were reminding me that I don’t do this every day. But the view? Absolutely worth it.
This week’s message comes straight from a place most of us never see—and certainly never associate with optimism: the Las Vegas coroner’s office. Our Leadership Las Vegas class had the opportunity to tour the facility, and we were guided by one of the most upbeat, energetic, joy-filled people I’ve met in a long time: Candace, who works there every single day.
This is the time of year when we naturally look back and evaluate how we did.
We measure:
Revenue
Clients
Growth
Goals achieved
All of that matters. I’m a big believer in setting measurable goals you can check off as “done” or “not yet.”
Did you know there are hundreds of miles of storm tunnels beneath the city of Las Vegas? These underground channels keep our desert city from flooding whenever rare but powerful rainstorms hit. Most people never think about them. Fewer still know that people live there, deep in those tunnels, out of sight and often out of hope.
Have you ever faced a mountain so big you couldn’t even see the top? I don’t just mean a literal mountain—but any obstacle that feels insurmountable. One so vast that you can’t see around it, and the path through it seems completely hidden.
This week’s Front-Row Friday message is about having the courage to take the next step, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.
Can you imagine being a janitor in a hospital and later becoming a doctor in that same hospital? That’s not a movie plot—it’s the real-life story of Dr. Shay Taylor. When her mother was hospitalized, Shay saw firsthand how her mother’s concerns weren’t being taken seriously.
How important is emotional intelligence to your success in business and in life?
In my experience, it’s everything. We often focus on technical excellence — mastering the “what” of our jobs. But emotional intelligence (EQ) is all about mastering the how. How you interact, how you respond, how you connect.
This week, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at the home offices of two iconic global brands — McDonald’s in Chicago and Coca-Cola in Atlanta. Just seeing those logos instantly brings to mind what each brand stands for — consistency and an unmistakable identity.
That got me thinking… what about your brand?
What’s the one leadership quality you must have to build a successful team?
Recently, I had the honor of being in the presence of Colonel Jason Glynn, the commander of Nellis Air Force Base. When I asked him that question, he didn’t hesitate for a second.
He said, “Trust.”
What lessons can you learn from loss? Today marks one year since I lost my beloved Frenchie—my husband of 20 years, my partner, my cheerleader, and the one who brought endless joy and laughter into my life.
This past year has been an extraordinary journey through grief, and in the spirit of honoring him, I want to share three lessons I’ve learned from this excruciating year, that went by extremely fast.