The Almanac

Leading Quality Starts with You

Defining quality can seem elusive—until you experience it. I know it when I see it. Or hear it. Or ride in it. It’s that unmistakable sense of excellence when all the elements come together just right.

Susan Ireland

Lessons in Leadership: Making the Customer Happy is Always Worth It

E. David Spong

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “the customer is always right.” While that may be a good customer satisfaction mantra, it isn’t always easy to keep the customer happy and follow the rules of the company at the same time. Our resident Seasoned Leader David Spong describes how he found that balance in four separate examples in today’s Lesson in Leadership.

Spring Forward

Susan Ireland

As I write this reflection on spring the sun is shining in Seattle – a rare treat at this time of year – and I can feel that familiar “spring fever” feeling starting to re-emerge like the crocuses and cherry blossoms starting to bud and bloom. This is the time to try something new – or many somethings. It’s a time to plant seeds of ideas, and to explore those ideas and see how they grow over time.

Let’s Make Women Advocating for Other Women That Rising Tide

Debbie Collard

Women’s History Month is a time when we celebrate women’s contributions to history and to life. At Seasons Leadership, we believe that everyone is a leader to someone – they inspire someone to do something they wouldn’t otherwise do. While women leaders are everywhere they still take up a much smaller percentage of formal leadership roles.

Building a Good Culture Through Operating Principles

E. David Spong

Building trust with a team and a way of operating that reinforces trust is critical for a leader. An operating rhythm helps to establish and cement the culture of the organization more quickly. Our resident Seasoned Leader David Spong provides a compelling example in this Lessons in Leadership column.

Invest in Yourself

Susan Ireland

I have been hesitant to write about this topic because I know what you might be saying to yourself. “Yes, I know investing in myself is important. There is nothing new that she can tell me – it’s just hard to do when I have so many other higher priorities.” But you can create a life that is even more amazing, deeply aligned with your true self, and long-lasting and fun – all that is required is that you slow down, take the time to figure it out – and invest in yourself – NOW.

Feeling Overwhelmed? This simple process can shift your perspective

Debbie Collard

The feeling of being overwhelmed can happen to any of us. It doesn’t matter what your “job” or role is, or what “level” you are in an organization. You can find yourself feeling overwhelmed and helpless to do anything about it. Leaders can feel especially overwhelmed because they often have added demands on their time from bosses, peers and employees.

Get to the Point!

Susan Ireland

How to effectively implement “bottom-lining” in your leadership.

Abundance Versus Scarcity – How Do You Roll?

Debbie Collard

I often work with leaders with a win-lose mindset. They feel they must win, or they lose and someone else wins. This win-lose scenario is a scarcity mindset. With a scarcity mindset it’s difficult to see opportunities.

Miraculous Winter is Transformative

Susan Ireland

You are probably in “winter” if you have decided to end something but don't know what is next. (This decision could be about anything important to you: job, marriage, church, friendship.) This "not knowing space" can make you tired, confused, frustrated, or even anxious – mainly because you think you should "know."