There were a lot of things on my list that needed to be rethought. And … there are actually a lot of cool things influencing my son today.

We do judge others based on superficial details such as grammar errors, habits, behaviors and appearance. Some of us work hard to get past or de-prioritize those judgments and assumptions.

Momentum in business, or even in your personal life, is like physics. Getting going, the start-up energy, is the hardest thing to muster…

I compounded my error with a bigger one: denying responsibility. I was willing to cross over into the absurd to avoid the consequences of my actions.

There appears to be a genuine shift in recognizing the power of decency in our business structures and models. If the business community is genuine in these efforts rather than playing to an audience, the shift could accelerate quickly.

Often, decency is viewed as at odds with corporate culture and policy, as antithetical to profit and business success. I would asset, though, that not only does decency not hamper corporate success, it promotes it. Some high-profile CEOs agree.

I surrendered to the full spectrum of what it means to be human and allowed grace to do its job. I gave myself permission to feel all of it. Then I wrote a poem about it I want to share with you:

People love compliments; they appreciate the acknowledgment and pay no attention to the delivery. In business, “verbal praise was more effective than cash bonuses,”

When I pay attention to how I parent, I become a better coach. The two experiences have many similarities.

A basic tenet of our coaching practice at Momentum Consulting is accountability, an essential component of executive leadership training, both with individuals and teams. Those of you familiar with us have surely heard one of us say “…there’s no blame in accountability, and no accountability in blame”.

In relationships at work or at home, remember that assumptions remain in your own mind.  Explicit requests are spoken or written in detail. And most people will rise to the occasion if you give them the requirements and expectations.  

If a person is editing their thoughts out of fear you might blab, you may end the conversation with a feeling of vagueness and irresolution, sensing you still don’t know their genuine opinions.

The biggest mistake is resisting the resistance. It’s natural to resist something that thwarts your intentions, but actually, you just have two opposing forces.

“The only way out is through,” but I ask, “what about when the path through resembles a brick wall?”

I am reposting a blog I wrote last fall on recovery. It serves as a great reminder to care for ourselves, and I am literally practicing recovery by allowing a repost!

Isn’t it great when we’re with people who look past the bad stuff and try to understand what we intend to say? We call those people our friends, our trusted advisors, our coaches. They “get” us, not because they agree, but because they listen.

What story would people tell about you if asked? Do you honor your commitments to yourself and others? How do you handle it when you are unable to?

Check out this new article in Voyage Austin magazine, highlighting hidden gem Marlene Clark, owner of Momentum Consulting and transformational coach.

In doing so, here are some of the things I have learned:

1. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

2. Though you have transformed, never be ashamed of your story or who you used to be.

3. Your core values are who you already are. Own it.

4. Listening “for” is more than being open. It’s putting aside the need to “do” anything.

Conscious Capitalism is founded on four principles:

1. Conscious leadership

2. Stakeholder orientation

3. Conscious culture

4. Higher purpose