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I’ve Had a Lot Going On

Marc is a gem of a human. He’s an educator and the kind person who brings home stray dogs. He can’t walk past an Angel Tree without selecting a name, and he would give you the shirt off his back. People often describe Marc as “such a good guy.”

A few years ago, Marc began to get invitations to speak at professional development events for educators. The events were small and local, but he always over-delivered. He loved sharing his classroom expertise, and over time, he received more speaking invitations.

Earlier this year, Marc realized he needed to overhaul his basic website to book larger events. He also knew he had a limited web design skill set, so he hired a professional.

leadership developmentMolly GrishamApril 14, 2024leadership developmentComment

A Problem, a Pattern, or a Pain in the A**

One of the things I enjoy about working with healthy leaders is their commitment to personal growth. They not only seek excellence in their craft, but they also embrace a strong desire for self-improvement. These people are the stewards of progress, the champions of innovation, the leaders who approach challenges with a relentless hunger for learning.

I have a working theory about how we should approach opportunities for growth. Leaders in all industries need to consider the following question: Is the moment I am facing a problem, a pattern, or am I dealing with a pain in the a**?

leadership developmentMolly GrishamMarch 31, 2024leadership developmentComment

Leadership Lessons from a Musical Masterpiece

Moonlight Sonata is a famous classical piece of music. You have likely heard this composition and noticed the haunting nature of it. It’s the kind of song that you can feel moving toward something powerful. It builds with the purpose of telling a story without words.

Recently, my brain was in a mental tug-of-war. I was listening to a recording of Moonlight Sonata by a musician named Isaac Schankler. In this version, he added a fascinating twist to the performance. While recording the song, one of Isaac’s hands was playing a measure ahead of the other hand. His hands were performing the same song, but they were not in sync.

Culture, leadership developmentMolly GrishamMarch 17, 2024leadership developmentComment

A Band of Brothers

In the diverse landscape of the music industry, there are just a few bands whose impact transcends mere melodies to become a force for positive change in the world. Among these luminaries stands a band whose musical talent is matched only by their unwavering commitment to social justice and advocacy. They have crafted timeless classics and have used their platform to amplify the voices of the voiceless, the silenced, and the marginalized. Their journey is a testament to the harmony of art and activism.

leadership developmentMolly GrishamMarch 3, 2024leadership developmentComment

Teri And Keri

I walked into my meeting with the marketing team, and you could feel it; they didn’t want to be there. Tension was in the air. This was my first meeting with them, and I immediately had concerns. Something was going on, but I wasn’t sure what it was.

One thing I knew for sure: Teri – who had been on the team for years - was a very difficult human. While most of her team sat near the front of the small conference room, she sat in the back next to the door. The physical distance between Teri and her teammates mirrored the emotional distance. Her body language screamed, “I am miserable,” and her tone and choice of words only reinforced this message.

Organizational CultureMolly GrishamFebruary 13, 2024CultureComment

Storm Stories

The texts from my Midwest friends came in like a flood. “Are you ok? Are you going to evacuate? How bad is it?”

Wait, wait?

I was at an Airbnb in Florida. My condo was about 150 yards from the beach, so I used the context clues and guessed that a storm was brewing. I opened a trusted weather app, and sure enough, a massive storm was headed right for me. I hadn’t seen anything on the news, the locals weren’t talking about it, and my Airbnb host hadn’t checked in with me. I wasn’t sure how concerned I should be.

A few hours later, I drove to Tampa for a couple of speaking engagements. The clouds were rolling in, the wind had picked up, and I watched the palm trees sway from side to side, bending like rubber. It was the middle of the day, but the darkness of the sky painted a different picture.

leadership developmentMolly GrishamFebruary 5, 2024leadership developmentComment

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Do you remember the film called Lemony Snicket's? I couldn’t tell you one thing about that movie, except for the fact that the subtitle was “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”

I recently experienced my own series of unfortunate events, and I’ll do my best to recount the story accurately. But honestly, it was such a strange night that I am not sure I can trust my own memory. As I write this, I keep thinking, “Did that really happen?”

I had arrived in Philadelphia for a four-day event with some entrepreneurs. Many of us flew in the night before, and the organization we were working with had arranged dinner plans for us. We met in the hotel lobby and drove to The Cheesecake Factory.

leadership developmentMolly GrishamJanuary 18, 2024leadership developmentComment

Defense Wins Championships

It was 3 am, and I was awake - again. I checked into this hotel three days ago. My client made the reservation, and while it was a well-respected national hotel chain, it had seen better days.

The towels and sheets were clean, but they had lost their shine, and you needed all four pillows to get the fluff of one. But the real issue, the thing that had me awake at 3 am, was the wall heating unit.

I was on the East Coast in January, which meant it was cold, and I needed to have the heat on. This unit sounded like a freight train when it was running, so I had this frustrating nightly routine: turn on the heat, wait until it was hot, turn it off, go to sleep, wake up cold, and repeat. It was too loud to sleep with it on and too cold to sleep with it off.

peronal growthMolly GrishamJanuary 5, 2024personal growthComment

I Only Want The Best For You

It was a chilly night in Duluth, Georgia. I don't know if the goosebumps were from the temperature or the sheer excitement I was feeling. We had arrived at Gas South Arena, home of the Gwinnett Gladiators, a minor league ice hockey team, to see one of my bucket-list bands perform. I was looking forward to hearing Need to Breath, but the real reason behind my childlike joy was the opening band Judah and the Lion.

There is something magical about a live concert. On this night, about 8,000 people gathered to listen, sing, dance, cry, sit, stand, and simply enjoy two of their favorite bands.

peronal growthMolly GrishamDecember 11, 2023personal growthComment

Monkeys, a Ladder, and One Banana

“And why do you do it that way?"

Silence.

Eventually, the Executive Director spoke up. "Well, that's just the way we do it. We've always done it that way. That's what works for us." I watched as others in the room smiled and slowly nodded their heads.

I paused and replied, "But is this actually working for you?"

I've had this same conversation with countless clients. Sometimes it's a corporate leader, a non-profit executive director, a college coach, an entrepreneur, or an educator. The reality is, we all get sucked into a world of unquestionable patterns and comfortable routines.

Organizational CultureMolly GrishamNovember 27, 2023CultureComment

I Did this to Myself

This was unplanned, a total surprise, yet here I am with no choice but to be in this moment.

It had been weeks of coming and going. I would hit the road for two or three days and then be home for one day, only to turn around and repeat this pattern. I managed the busyness well by staying one step ahead of the chaos. The most challenging thing in this season was trying to eat well. It’s hard to keep produce fresh when I am traveling so much.

I had just returned after being away for two days, and there wasn’t much in my refrigerator.

peronal growth, leadership developmentMolly GrishamNovember 12, 2023personal growthComment

Turning Over a New Leaf

I have a complex relationship with this time of the year. Winter is my least favorite season, and fall – for me – is just a reminder that colder months are on the horizon. As the days grow shorter and the chill sets in, I find myself staying inside, burying myself under warm blankets, and hibernating until the warmth returns.

Last week, while I languished in my fall funk, I was contemplating if I should go for a walk. I looked at the upcoming weather forecast, and it was clear this day was one of very few nice days left on the calendar.

But the truth is, I didn’t want to go for a walk. I was mentally and physically exhausted. I didn’t want to change my clothes and put on different shoes, find my headphones, or fill my water bottle. It had been a full day, and I was craving rest. The last thing I wanted to do was be in motion.

leadership developmentMolly GrishamOctober 31, 2023leadership developmentComment

Start in the Dark

It was a snowy Saturday in January. I was wrapped up in two blankets, nestled deep into my oversized comfy chair while holding a big bowl of fresh popcorn dripping in butter. The stage was set for a perfect, lazy evening.

I am a sucker for a good documentary, and the movie of choice that night was Free Solo.

This film tells the story of Alex Honnold, who was attempting to ascend El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Getting to the top would require a 3,000-foot vertical climb. The unique element to this pursuit is the fact that Alex wanted to do this “solo,” which meant he wanted to climb El Capitan with no ropes, no safety net, and nothing to brace him from a 3,000-foot fall.

peronal growthMolly GrishamOctober 15, 2023personal growth Comment

Clear the Path

It’s a quiet Saturday morning. I’m sitting in my favorite recliner next to three bookcases full of books, and the sun is slowly filling the room. I haven’t showered, and I am wearing what I like to call “loungewear,” also known as a comfortable pair of sweatpants and a well-worn sweatshirt. I have a hot cup of tea next to me, and Noah Kahan is playing over my sound system.

I have a smile on my face and tears in my eyes.

peronal growthMolly GrishamOctober 2, 2023personal growthComment

She Said "No."

My alarm went off at 4:15, and by 6:15, I was seated on a plane and ready to take a nap. It was going to be a long travel day. One of the things I like about living in the Midwest is being able to get almost anywhere in the country in a single day. However, East Coast trips often require a connecting flight and sometimes a long layer. This day would include both.

Around 1:30, I stepped out of my Uber and into a hotel lobby. I was happy to be at my final destination. I knew I was arriving about 90 minutes before the established check-in time, but often, a well-run hotel will work to get you a room right away.

leadership developmentMolly GrishamSeptember 18, 2023leadership developmentComment

Not This

It’s another Friday afternoon at Lambert Airport in St. Louis. For some reason, today feels different. I used to like this airport. It is close to my house, it has a limited number of gates, which means it is manageable, and it is simple to navigate. But at this moment, I only see the things I dislike.

For example, good luck finding any food that wasn’t first frozen and then deep fried. Your options here are limited. Additionally, I can promise that 75% of the time, the escalator to the baggage claim area will be shut down for repairs. Be prepared to hull your carry-on luggage down a flight of steps.

leadership developmentMolly GrishamSeptember 5, 2023leadership developmentComment

All Over The Map

One skill on that shortlist is my ability to see connections. I am a natural observer. I notice patterns. I am deeply aware that what seems unrelated is often interconnected and mental maps of these connections come easily to me.

As a result, I am hyperaware when something is routinely showing up in my life. Over the last month, on three different occasions, I have had the same conversation with three different leaders. At various stages in my own journey, I, too, have wrestled with the question they each presented.

leadership developmentMolly GrishamAugust 20, 2023leadership developmentComment

Under Construction

I can say with confidence that I don’t have too many vices. However, I will admit, without some well-focused self-control, sweet tea could be an addiction for me.

I gave up soda years ago, but about once a month, I allow myself to enjoy that Southern goodness. It usually happens when I work from home, have been in my office for days on end, and need to get out of the house. To my delight, the fast-food restaurant with the best sweet tea in my area is about a five-minute drive.

peronal growthMolly GrishamAugust 7, 2023personal growthComment