Over the last year, I put a lot of effort into protecting my own energy and am particularly in tune with those around me who are fried. It can be tempting to say, “Hey, you over there lying on the floor… you realize that isn’t living the good life, right? Get up – there’s a better way!” This is where “the talk” comes in.

What do campfires at work look like, and, more importantly, who are the fire starters on your team? Because without them, there is no campfire. A fire starter puts in the extra effort to keep the team inspired, motivated and emotionally connected—to the work, and to each other. Let’s take a look.

Why do businesses need campfires? Because they build community and your team needs regular time around the “campfire” or they can feel cold and disconnected as well. Just like a campfire brings light, heat and a place to gather, your team needs this vital connection too. Read on!

This is one of the most powerful ways you can deepen your connection with the people around you. What am I talking about? The recognition of meaningful milestones.

I’m here to remind you that connecting doesn’t have to be hard, and it doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Small sparks—found in everyday micro-connections—can provide an instant boost to your mood and sense of belonging. Don’t believe me? Give these a whirl.

I’m all about whatever makes life better, and that includes both professional and personal life enjoyment. So today I’m sharing with you a list of ideas for living a little lighter this summer. Read on … before starting your new schedule!

When we connect with others, our troubles shrink. Obstacles seem surmountable. Our confidence soars. And suddenly we see the good around us. The air is more refreshing, food is sweeter, and our hearts are lighter. As Reinvention Road Trip turns 3, let’s talk about the importance of connections.

Let’s talk about our “Fab Four” (creators, builders, sustainers, disruptors) in detail. Any of them can burn out when forced into a role that doesn’t suit them, but builders are especially vulnerable to this. Why? Because… of the four contributors, builders are the ones most likely to find themselves sliding into a role that doesn’t really energize them.

I like to think of creators as brilliant, builders as reliable, sustainers as diligent, and disruptors as intuitive. And they all are! But they also have shadow sides… you know the whole “too-much-of-a-good-thing” thing. So, it’s good to know what these are—and how to mitigate the challenges that accompany them when they show up in the workplace. Let’s take a look.

Just recently, as I was conducting a workshop with a global-facing organization about fighting burnout, I hit upon something that really got my attention: the power of finding meaning. Let’s have a conversation.

Some people value disruptors more than gold. Others can’t stand them and run in the other direction when they see them coming. And then others (who are disruptors themselves) feel relieved to finally be seen and understood. Oh, ‘the Disruptor’… how I love thee.

Highly effective teams have a natural blend of creators, builders, sustainers and disruptors as we discussed last week. Today, I want to dig into the problems can arise when they don’t understand themselves or their teammates.

In every successful work ecosystem, you’ll find a combination of four types of role players: creators, builders, sustainers and disruptors. All four bring unique perspectives and offerings. The trick is to find the harmony that ensures each person is actually playing to their strengths. Let’s take a look.

Whether you’re built for peace or built for war, knowing how you show up when the conditions aren’t ideal for you is essential. It’s in these crossover moments that sophisticated growth in leadership development occurs. Let’s have a conversation.

How do you keep your life between the bumpers? This is where my spring break will come in – a time spent in service of sustaining my progress and reflecting on what’s working and what needs tweaked.

A common misnomer is that those who reach a career pinnacle and find themselves on the road less traveled are more fulfilled, but in fact they often ache to do more, be more, live more. The truth is, when someone with this type of drive and need for engagement hits the roadblock of “What’s Next?,” they hit it hard.

Today we’re going to talk about something many of the women you’re hearing about this month have done: take a path previously unexplored, and then leveraged the unexpected discoveries to do more extraordinary things than anyone anticipated.

I want to take a moment to spotlight two women who know what the phrase ”when the going gets tough” really means. Women who didn’t crumble in the face of adversity and that I deeply admire. These women harnessed the power of the crucible moment to live better. Louder. Fuller.

I’m handing over this week’s column to a woman I deeply respect because she lives her life out loud. Enjoy these thoughts about “Showing Up as a Soft Person in a Hard World” by Sarah Chick, Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement, Research Triangle Foundation. And may we all encourage the women that inspire us this month!

Hands up if a handwritten note makes you smile! Explore how practicing authenticity is the opposite of falling into performance culture-driven perfectionism.