Updated July 2022 It may surprise you that your job as a leader is to make people uncomfortable. Why? Because people learn, develop, and progress in a zone of discomfort, not comfort. It is in the pursuit of challenges that are hard, scary, and uncomfortable that...
What, exactly is "stupid courage"? When I was a kid, a ferocious dog named King lived down the street. Being six years old, I was deathly afraid of King, a black Doberman Pincher. Every time I walked past my neighbor’s house, King would bark viciously. Deep in my...
Before starting Giant Leap Consulting, I spent six years as an executive with Accenture, one of the world’s largest management consulting firms. During my time there, I became the company’s first full-time internal executive coach. Just before moving into the role, I...
For better and for worse, I am an immoderate person, with an appetite for life that is at once passionate and gluttonous. Once I commit to something, I’m “all-in” and have little use for moderation. In some areas of my life this has served me well -- for example, the...
One of the unexpected pleasures of starting my business is the great friendships I’ve developed with some of my clients. Sometimes mixing business with pleasure is the best alchemy for forging a strong relationship. Mike Calihan is the director of training for...
Each year my company, Giant Leap Consulting, takes on a few pro bono projects, most often for worthy non-profit organizations that are serving the needs of those less fortunate than most of us. Recently Giant Leap started working with an organization that serves the...
I am an idealist. You have to be if the bulk of your business centers on developing leaders. Leadership development involves helping people close the gap between the leader that they are, and the leader that they want to be. “Leadership” is an aspirational concept...
*In addition to blog posts, you will receive my monthly newsletter with updates and tips for inspiring workplace courage.