Authenticity, Influence, and the Art of Connection
I write to influence, but true influence comes from authenticity. As a transformative coach, I help leaders uncover insights that let them stay true to themselves while navigating complexity and change. If you’re on the path to deeper self-awareness and want to explore how coaching can help you find your authentic voice, reach out. Let’s talk.
Part 1: Seeing through the surface
Our experience of stress is shaped less by the challenges we face and more by how we respond to them. The more aware we become of our automatic reactions, the more we can interrupt them, creating space for better, calmer choices. This clarity is the foundation for making more effective decisions.
Part 2: The grip of Attachment
Attachment keeps us from connecting with what’s real in the moment. Instead of sensing and accepting things as they are, we’re constantly searching for something better, something more. The practice of observing attachment allows you to create space between stimulus and response.
Part 3: The trap of Resentment
How often do we see the full humanity of those around us—or even ourselves? In the rush of life, anger and assumptions cloud our perception, pulling us away from the present moment. By asking “Who else is this person?” we open the door to surprising insights, deeper connection, and a clearer path forward.
Part 4: The weight of Avoidance
In the rush to "choose our battles," we risk detaching not just from conflict but from connection itself. Detachment may feel safe, but it anesthetizes the heart, clouding our ability to see and respond clearly. True clarity and collaboration emerge when we let go of detachment and lean into connection.
Part 5: The storm of Restlessness
Restlessness scatters our attention, pulling us away from the present moment. Yet focus isn’t about never losing attention—it’s about learning to return. By calming the storm of agitation, we uncover the clarity and presence needed to navigate life’s demands with wisdom and grace.
Part 6: The cloud of Doubt
Doubt clouds the mind like suspended mud in water, whispering the story of “not enough.” But doubt isn’t a roadblock—it’s a guidepost. By naming it and embracing the wisdom of not knowing, we can move beyond limiting beliefs and find clarity and confidence on the Insightful Path.
Art lives in all of us
In this post, I reflect on a powerful experience I had while on an approximate 5,500-kilometer solo walk across America, searching for purpose. One of the standout moments came in Sully, Iowa, where I encountered a 60-foot-tall sculpture made from over 200 welded wagon wheels, created by 90-year-old Leonard J. Maasdam. His untrained, intuitive approach to art inspired me to think about the nature of creativity—how it can live in all of us, regardless of formal training. This post explores how art, like Maasdam’s wheel tower, is not confined to galleries or schools; it’s something universal that can be experienced and created by anyone.
Dressing with a purpose
There’s a quiet, often overlooked truth about how we show up in the world: what we wear profoundly impacts the way we approach the tasks, challenges, and relationships that shape our professional lives. For many of us, the office, even if that office is at home, is more than just a physical space; it’s where we cultivate ideas, solutions, and contributions that reflect our values and sense of purpose. But before any of that can happen, we first need to prepare ourselves. And one of the most important ways to do that is by carefully considering what we wear.
Shifting from numbers to meaning
For the longest time, I viewed networking through the lens of numbers. I was told as a beginning entrepreneur, that it was a ‘numbers game’. It was all about accumulating connections—more people, more possibilities. I was told that the larger my network, the more impact I could have. It was a game of growth, one I thought was measured in metrics: followers, connections, messages sent, and posts posted. The problem with this approach, however, is that it subtly drove my communication style in a direction I hadn’t fully realized. It became transactional, impersonal, and it just felt less valuable.