When building an agency, a startup, or any business, one of the most potent assets in the early days—and often well beyond—is the founder’s unique combination of passion and subject matter expertise. These are the founders’ superpowers. But like any superpower, they can accelerate growth and unintentionally create friction. This epiphany lesson is about how […]
Epiphany 13: Embrace the Founder’s Superpowers Read More »
“When employees understand the ‘why’ behind their work, they’re not just doing a task — they’re participating in a mission.” While working in the yard yesterday, I noticed something out of place in my neighbor’s yard. The downspout extension was directed directly towards the house’s foundation. Clearly, someone did not understand the purpose of the
Understanding The Why Read More »
Recognition is one of leadership’s most potent yet underutilized tools. It inspires loyalty, reinforces values, and creates momentum. I discuss some of the applications in Mission First, People Always. But, like any sharp tool, it must be used carefully—or it can cut in the wrong direction. People will go to extraordinary lengths when they feel
The Double-Edged Sword of Recognition: When Rewarding Good Work Goes Wrong Read More »
When you buy a car or house, you are faced with the never-ending tasks of preventative maintenance. From painting the house trim to rotating the tires and changing the oil, all of these tasks are necessary to preserve the life of these assets. However, I find that many people do not truly appreciate the benefits
The Power of Preventive Maintenance Read More »
“The effective leader must find a way to balance mission completion with the welfare of the team.” — Bill Hunt Balancing high performance with human-centric leadership is another key to successfully managing high-performing teams. At NCO school in the Marine Corps, I was taught “Mission First, Marines Always” to prioritize the care of my Marines
Mission First – People Always Read More »
My first introduction to international trade and tariffs came when the freight forwarder called asking me to deliver the check for the \”aggregate tariff fees\” for my shipment so they could pick up the container from the local port. When I placed the order, the final price was supposed to be delivered to my warehouse.
My Introduction to Tariffs Read More »
For the past few weeks, I have had several people seeking answers to basic tariff questions, and even the new AI Overview does not necessarily provide answers.
Tariff Frequently Asked Questions Read More »
Every successful venture has a heartbeat — not just a founder with a vision but a team that breathes life into that vision. Reflecting on my career, no moment captures this truth better than the founding of Global Strategies. What we built wasn’t just a business — a band of complementary minds who trusted each
Epiphany 12: Building the Dream Team – From Founders to Force Multipliers Read More »
“If you want to earn more, you need to understand what you’re worth—economically—not just emotionally.” I recall the first time an employee came to me and asked, “What do I need to do to earn $ 100,000?” It seemed like a simple question, but the right way to answer reveals a profound truth about value, contribution, and
Epiphany 5 -Understanding Your Economic Value as an Employee Read More »
Sometimes, a framework emerges that becomes a north star—not just for client transformation but also for agency growth. For me, that was the Search Maturity Lifecycle. Conceived initially during our time at Outrider through brainstorming with Marshall Simmonds, it gained broader traction after a panel discussion in New York and a pivotal presentation at a conference in
Epiphany 10: The Search Maturity Lifecycle – From Projects to Strategic Partnerships Read More »