Posts in Leadership
Authentically Fraudulent: What an Energy Industry Layoff Taught Me About Purpose & Passion (Part 2)

In this second part of our “authentically fraudulent” conversation, we encourage you to move beyond the typical "personal brand building" exercises that we're all encouraged to do and instead spend time crafting an autobiography of sorts...even if you're the only one who will ever read it.

Because as polished as your social media presence and content might be, and as impressive as your resume and LinkedIn profile are, nothing is going to drive you forward more effectively and confidently than carrying with you a deep understanding of the authentic experiences from your own life that set you apart from others.

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Authentically Fraudulent: What an Energy Industry Layoff Taught Me About Purpose & Passion (Part 1)

There’s one F-word that makes people shudder in corporate America, and it’s not the same one your grandmother might shake her finger at. The word is “fraud,” and embracing it now doesn’t mean you’re headed to jail. In fact, it could mean you’re headed to a much more satisfying and sustainable life.

Using a personal story of self-discovery, we explore how some layoff-induced (or quarantine-induced) reflection can determine whether you’ve been living a “fraudulent” existence, while asking challenging questions to make sure the labels you’re giving yourself or others don’t limit opportunities for future success.

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Does the "Law of Capture" Apply When Someone Drains Your Figurative Energy?

Even though the Law of Capture allows you to drain your neighbor’s oil reservoir, at current prices you’d probably be interested in stealing something much more valuable.

And given the stress and pressure than many people are under today, one would argue that few things are more valuable and precious than our figurative energy, which can quickly be drained by others if we’re not careful.

As leaders, it’s critical not only to be on guard against your own energy being depleted, but to carry a heightened awareness of how you might be impacting others…especially those whose limited energy might already trend negative.

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Non-Productive Time Myths and the Power of a "25-Hour Mindset"

Do you feel pressure to eliminate every ounce of "non-productive time" from your life?

Do you feel guilty for not making this quarantine "the most productive period ever?"

Do you feel forced to start sacrificing existing things on your schedule to fulfill someone else's agenda?

If any of those are true, we encourage you to embrace the non-productive time in your life, to get rid of the notion that this period of isolation is some kind of "use it or lose it" opportunity you're missing out on, and to make believe someone is giving you an extra hour each day to be used however you wish.

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How Do Firm Transportation Agreements Produce Unsustainable Leaders?

Are you unwittingly locking yourself, your teams, or your families into agreements that severely limit your ability to survive…let alone thrive?

In today’s episode of The Energy Detox, we challenge you to uncover all the ways that you and those around you may be operating under outdated contracts that—like firm transportation agreements—may no longer work for all parties, that may severely curtail the chances of producing sustainable success, that can increase the odds of figurative bankruptcy, and that will cause you to stand there asking, “Did I really sign up for all of this?”

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High-Strength API Connections for Leaders

Are you unwittingly missing opportunities to build stronger and more meaningful connections with others, especially right now when your professional relationships are as important as ever?

From the single most important LinkedIn tip to consider when requesting a new connection to a deeper conversation about the importance of continued personal engagement for existing relationships, we challenge you to strengthen the foundation of the network upon which you will build the next phase of your professional journey.

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Well(ness) Spacing and Social Distancing Lessons for Leaders

As a leader, are you fully conscious of how impactful your words and actions can be on those who are closest to you, be they personal or professional connections?

Just as interference between neighboring wells has taught those in the oil and gas industry to be aware of the operational headaches caused by spacing wells too close together, the coronavirus has clearly shown us how easy it is to unwittingly spread harm to those around us, directly and indirectly leading to societal health, safety, and economic disruptions.

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What Good is GPS if You're Under Quarantine?

How do you maintain engagement, sustain momentum, and avoid unwittingly adding to the fear, stress, and confusion of your personal and professional stakeholders during times like this?

The answers to this question are rarely found on an outdated roadmap, in the advice of expensive consultants, or that same “gut feeling” that has steered you through past challenges, but through a practical and simple “Leadership GPS” approach that helps you (G)row, (P)rotect, and (S)ustain success for you, your organization, and your family in good times and in bad.

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