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Do any of these feel like you?

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The Best Leadership Company

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Do you follow appropriate office behavior? The Wall Street Journal put this assessment together. Answer it honestly. Turns out I’m only a 5/10. Doh!

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AI For Leaders

How is AI going to impact your company? How are you going to innovate with AI? If you’re not thinking about these things now, the world is going to pass you by. Vanderbilt University put together a course focused on AI for leaders, and you can enroll for free.

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📖 To Read 📖

» The lunch break is dead
[the best leadership newsletter ever]

» The crazy power of metaphors
[harvard business review]

» 6 leadership tactics that feel like cheating
[the good boss]

🎧 To Listen or Watch 🎥

» The quick way to boost productivity
[the best leadership podcast ever]

» How to articulate your thoughts more clearly [video]
[leila hormozi]

» The one thing every company needs to do [video]
[steve jobs]

This Week’s Featured Friend: CRISTINA GRANCEA

» Fear stunts growth

» So what’s your next move?

» Follow Christina Grancea

This Week’s Poll

» VOTE NOW!!

Last week’s poll

» Unlimited vacation policies are a NICE PERK, but nothing changes (56%)

I hear a lot of people complaining that it makes them take less vacation time. I feel like that’s not about the policy, it’s about the leadership. They’d do that regardless - don’t you agree?

Also, click the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email

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Essential ChatGPT Prompts For Managers

The pace of productivity just pressed the “much faster” button on the treadmill. You will either be a person who partners with AI to increase your output, or you will be replaced. It’s that simple. Start with these prompts.

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📖 To Read 📖

» You have only 3 choices in life.
[the best leadership newsletter ever]

» This is the problem with too much work
[ronak’s substack]

» The secret to cutting 30% off your meetings
[a manager’s playbook]

🎧 To Listen or Watch 🎥

» Why women have less confidence than men
[the best leadership podcast ever]

» Your one-liner is all wrong
[storybrand podcast]

» The shit-ification of technology
[hbr ideacast]

This Week’s Featured Friend: EVAN CHI

» Let them be disappointed

» Every behavior counts

» Follow Evan Chi

This Week’s Poll

» VOTE NOW!!

Last week’s poll

» The US should ABSOLUTELY (59%) require transparency with salaries

I agree. I’ve got a long rant about this, which I’m going to save you from right now. But that might change in the future.

Also, click the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email

🏋🏼‍♀️ Free Workshop

How To Be Visible And Win Sales on LinkedIn

Natasha Walstra is the master of social selling. Want proof? The first month she started her social selling company, she booked $25k of business. You need to listen to her… I do. All the time. It starts with this free workshop.

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AI Trends For Marketers

Hubspot is one of the largest, most trusted marketing companies. Needless to say, their reports are some of the most trusted insights. And that’s why you need to download the free AI Trends of Marketers report. The defense rests.

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📖 To Read 📖

» How great leaders win by inches
[the best leadership newsletter ever]

» How to give advice
[the offbeat]

» 10 ways to boost sales in 1 minute
[josh spector]

🎧 To Listen or Watch 🎥

» The reason most leaders talk too much
[the best leadership podcast ever]

» The real reason some people never feel lazy [video]
[venture curator]

» The 90-second rule [video]
[tony robbins]

This Week’s Featured Friend: SANJIV BERI

» The call is coming from inside the house

» I agree with everything on this list EXCEPT the typos on #4 and #6

» Follow Sanjiv Beri

This Week’s Poll

» VOTE NOW!!

Last week’s poll

» Your preferred method of comms at work is… SLACK / TEAMS (47%)

I’m old enough to remember when people would get out of their chairs and talk to each other.

Please click the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email

This is the LAST FREE ISSUE of Life’s Leadership Lessons.

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Jobs To Be Done (JTBD) is a compelling philosophy on how to create meaningful value for customers. If you’re a marketer, product-person, or company leader, it’s important to understand JTBD. Alan Klement’s book “When Coffee & Kale Compete” is a great place to start. Here it is for free.

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The Current State Of Hybrid Work

Hybrid work can no longer be called a trend - it’s a lasting shift in the workforce that will forever alter the employer-employee relationship. Our friends at Owl Labs know that. And that’s why you need to read their 9th Annual State of Hybrid Work report.

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📖 To Read 📖

» You only have these 3 problems
[the best leadership newsletter ever]

» The 8 psychological marketing lessons you need to know
[step by step]

» Which leader are you when chaos hits?
[now | new | next]

🎧 To Listen or Watch 🎥

» How to work with narcissists
[the best leadership podcast ever]

» The leadership lessons you learned in kindergarten
[leadership unlocked]

» Why words matter
[the best boss ever]

This Week’s Featured Friend: Dr. JC

» Kindness and success are not mutually exclusive

» Always try

» Follow Dr. JC

This Week’s Poll

» VOTE NOW!!

Last week’s poll

» You’re on the first floor and need to get to the second, you take the STAIRS (88%)

OK, either a whole bunch of you are lying or I didn’t properly frame the question, ‘cause when I’m at the airport and there is an escalator right next to a set of stairs, 95% of people take the escalator. So fess up.

Also, click the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email

There is only ONE MORE free issue of Life’s Leadership Lessons.

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If you are a finance person or somebody who likes doing financial analysis in your free time, boy oh boy, do I have a resource for you. Matt Evans has given us 100 free Excel spreadsheets plus a whole bunch of free Excel add-ons and other Excel resources. Did I mention it’s all for free?

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📖 To Read 📖

» You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist
[the best leadership newsletter ever]

» The reason your customers complain
[decoding customer experience]

» When the win-win turns to a lose-lose
[the psychology of ambition]

🎧 To Listen or Watch 🎥

» The state of women leaders
[the best leadership podcast ever]

» Why your brain blocks success
[the confidence lounge]

» 5 signs you’re headed for burnout
[executive exhale]

This Week’s Featured Friend: Noemi Kis

» You’re never ready. So be ready.

» It’s time to think different.

» Follow Noemi Kis

This Week’s Poll

» VOTE NOW!!

Last week’s poll

» Your previous boss offers you a job you… DEFINITELY DON’T TAKE IT (47%)

Wow… Half of us don’t like our last boss. That’s a pretty powerful message.

Also, click the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email

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Of all the jobs AI can take over, human resources ain’t gonna be at the top of the list. The HR leader’s role is critical to building a culture of productivity, innovation, and success. No matter your level, it’s time to upskill your HR skills.

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Your Guide To Better Managing People

In this increasingly AI-dominated world, the best leaders are the ones who will survive. While you're sitting there relying on your current skills, other people are learning how to be better. Don’t miss the boat. Maybe start with this course from the University of London.

✅ Enroll in the free course on Managing People At Work

📖 To Read 📖

» The importance of Q-Tips in your career
[the best leadership newsletter ever]

» AI is a mirror. What do you see?
[the ai philosopher]

» I knew this day would come
[serious literary artist]

🎧 To Listen or Watch 🎥

» Your communication process is the problem
[the best leadership podcast ever]

» The science of turbulence [video]
[wall street journal]

» Why it’s so hard to delegate
[hbr ideacast]

This Week’s Featured Friend: JONNY TOOZE

» Don’t stop

» Ideas are easy

» Follow Jonny Tooze

This Week’s Poll

» VOTE NOW!!

Last week’s poll

» Your absolute favorite bean is… BLACK BEAN (44%)

OK, OK... I got the question wrong. I admit it. In my mind I was thinking “legume” not bean. Many people corrected me in pointing out that the best bean is NOT, in fact, a black bean, as it is either a coffee bean or a jelly bean. You are correct. I am wrong. Can we move on now?

Also, click the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email

📈 Free Report

State Of The Workplace

Everything is changing. COVID disrupted the workplace. AI is disrupting the workforce. Work-life balance is one of the most common complaints. Our friends at TriNet put together a report every year to help us navigate these complexities.

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Discover The Work That Fills Your Bucket

Life is too short not to be inspired every day. If you’re wallowing in your dolldrums (good word, dolldrums), maybe it’s time to take a few minutes out of your day and start with this assessment. Maybe it’s time to find your passion.

✅ Take the free assessment to Discover The Work That Inspires You

📖 To Read 📖

» The secret way to get things done faster and better
[the best leadership newsletter ever]

» Start right before you get eaten by the bear
[wes kao’s newsletter]

» You don’t sing to get to the end of the song
[what work should be]

🎧 To Listen or Watch 🎥

» How to deal with criticism
[the best leadership podcast ever]

» Marketing isn’t about selling [video]
[leaders talk]

» The hard truth of why you don’t make decisions [video]
[thunder motivation]

This Week’s Featured Friend: Teacher Goals

» You are valued

» Some stranger somewhere still appreciates you

» Follow Teacher Goals

This Week’s Poll

» VOTE NOW!!

Last week’s poll

» Your favorite pants pocket is… THE FRONT POCKET (42%)

I actually chose the side pocket - which I will still stand behind as the best, most important pocket in pants history. I will be using your answers against you in the future, I’m just not sure how I will do that as of this time. Stay tuned.

Also, click the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email

📈 Free Report

Winning The AI Race

The way your company manages its AI integration is completely dependent on your company’s culture. The wonderful team at Great Place To Work are giving away their report detailing how great companies are successfully integrating AI and getting adoption.

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🖥️ Free Guide

How To Have A Successful 1-on-1

As a leadership coach, I have very frequent conversations about the best structure for 1-on-1 meetings. I will be writing an article about this soon over here, in the meantime, I stumbled on this 1:1 Meeting Guide which is well worth a look.

✅ Download the free 1-on-1 Meeting Guide

📖 To Read 📖

» Even angels are broken sometimes
[the best leadership newsletter ever]

» Instead of multitasking, do this
[asana]

» The 5 things you need to know in your career
[reframed]

🎧 To Listen or Watch 🎥

» The important lessons from the Disney Hug
[the best leadership podcast ever]

» The things about delegation and leadership
[dear hr diary]

» Slow is smooth, smooth is good leadership
[leadership unlocked]

This Week’s Featured Friend: WORK CHRONICLES

» I dare you to deny this happens at your company

» I’ve been Bob, have you?

» Follow Work Chronicles

This Week’s Poll

» VOTE NOW!!

Last week’s poll

» Your preferred grilled cheese cut is… DIAGONALLY (62%)

Thank you for validating that diagonally is the right cut for grilled cheese. My daughter liked it in half (2 rectangles) and now I can tell her that, objectively, she is wrong and I can prove it.

Also, click the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email

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Happiness is a core competency for those who want to be in charge of their lives — both personally and professionally. It’s time to take charge of your life. Harvard is offering their happiness course for free.

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📈 Free Report

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Hubspot knows marketing. So when they put out information about the state of marketing, it’s worth listening to them. So listen. Download it for free.

✅ Download the free report on the 2025 State of Marketing

📖 To Read 📖

» Your progress is just an illusion
[the best leadership newsletter ever]

» Here’s the one thing your customers want.
[decoding customer experience]

» 4 ways to transition from a doer to a leader
[the institutes]

🎧 To Listen or Watch 🎥

» Wisdom you need to know from Waffle House
[the best leadership podcast ever]

» You don’t have to like everybody to lead
[stephanie chung]

» Kobe Bryant’s huge insight on leadership
[inspire the gents]

This Week’s Featured Friend: Steven Claes

» Redirect the spotlight

» ABC - Always Be Clapping

» Follow Steven Claes

This Week’s Poll

» VOTE NOW!!

Last week’s poll

» When you have a work call, you prefer to have your camera… ALWAYS ON! (60%)

I’m breathing a sigh of relief with your answer. An inordinate number of my clients don’t turn their video on. I don’t understand.

Also, click the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email

📖 Free eBook

How To Create A Customer-Obsessed Company

Nobody knows customer experience like Mark Levy. He’s led the CX charge for some of the largest brands. Now he’s giving his knowledge away for free.

✅ Learn how to Turn Your Team Into A Customer-Obsessed Company

💰 Crazy Discount

Reframe Your Life

Do you feel like your life is between chapters? Are you a corporate climber, former founder, creator or soul-driven leader who is looking for something more? If so, Tobin Trevarthen is your guru - you just do know it yet. But for the crazy discounted price of $99, it’s worth the exploration.

✅ Reserve your ShiftStory Walk ‘n’ Talk

📖 To Read 📖

» The best innovation since sliced bread
[the best leadership newsletter ever]

» 12 critical life lessons
[dan murray]

» Why being vulnerable is important
[own your voice]

🎧 To Listen or Watch 🎥

» My friends are dying
[the best leadership podcast ever]

» How AI is coming for your job
[today, explained]

» Respond don’t react
[work]

This Week’s Featured Friend: Jay Mount

» Leadership is a balance

» This is where AI stops and you begin

» Follow Jay Mount

This Week’s Poll

» VOTE NOW!!

Last week’s poll

» You get $30m, you will… PURSUE YOUR DREAM JOB (30%)

This was a close one - a really close one. But the majority of you say that your $30m of pursuing your dream.

Want to pursue your dream right now and make it reality? Ask me how.

Also, click the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email

🚌 Free Course

Gen AI for Product Managers

If you’re a product manager and you’re NOT diving into Gen AI, you’re gonna have some career problems. ‘Nuff said. Maybe start with this free course from IBM.

✅ Take the free course on Gen AI for Product Managers

🚌 Free Course

AI Foundations for Business Professionals

It doesn’t matter where you are in your career trajectory, AI is going to be an increasingly important part of your future. Every interview, every job, is going to involve AI in some way. How are you going to stand out from the rest? Maybe start with this free course from Oxford.

✅ Take the free course on AI Foundations for Business Professionals

📖 To Read 📖

» What if you are God?
[the best leadership newsletter ever]

» Are you an acceptor?
[the leadership development group]

» When you lose your s**t
[now | new | next]

🎧 To Listen or Watch 🎥

» You don’t even realize the traps you set for yourself
[the best leadership podcast ever]

» Why nobody knows you exist
[the game]

» How to communicate more clearly
[vinh giang]

This Week’s Featured Friend: Maria Luisa Engels

» Even the biggest can’t do it alone

» Bro, get out of your comfort zone

Follow Maria Luisa Engels

This Week’s Poll

» VOTE NOW!!

Last week’s poll

» When you’re cooking you… CLEAN AS YOU GO! (78%)

Seriously, dude… I thought I was going crazy. I’ve married into a family that keeps the kitchen a mess while they’re cooking and cleans up after. I thought I was in the minority, being someone who cleans as they go. Thank you for keeping me sane.

Also, click the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email

📓 Free eBook

How To Be A More Effective Leader

Effective leadership is critical to the success of any company. I don’t care if you have a 1 person business or work at a multi-national conglomerate - the leadership skillsets don’t change. Our friends at Harvard Business School put out this eBook and it’s worth the download.

✅ Download the free eBook on How To Be A More Effective Leader

📖 Free eBook

6 Keys To Better Performance Enablement

Performance Enablement is the new new thing. Or maybe it’s just a new new term for the same thing. It’s about empowering your employees (and giving them the tools) to play an active part in their professional development. If you’re in HR, or are managing people, you should read this eBook and get yourself up to speed.

✅ Download the free eBook on 6 Keys To Better Performance Enablement

📖 To Read 📖

» Your real communication problems
[the best leadership newsletter ever]

» The simple solution to sell more
[really good business ideas]

» Why everything breaks after 25 employees
[lighthouse blog]

🎧 To Listen or Watch 🎥

» Even if you do say it, you’re still biased
[the best leadership podcast ever]

» When your life really starts
[bradley mcarthur]

» The hard truth about office etiquette
[aarp]

This Week’s Featured Friend: Yiorgos Tzirtzilakis

» Confidence is not knowing anything and moving forward anyway

» The secret to achieving your goals

Follow Yiorgos Tzirtzilakis

This Week’s Poll

» VOTE NOW!!

Last week’s poll

» Your least favorite chore is (not necessarily)… LAUNDRY! (42%)

There weren’t a lot of votes on this poll because I clearly didn’t have the right options to choose from. There were a lot of comments, most of which focused on people’s extreme abhorrence to cleaning floors (whether mopping or sweeping). I get it. I’m with you.

Also, click the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email