challenge assumptions

Never Be Afraid to Challenge Assumptions

by Sonya Shelton

A successful leader once shared that he constantly asks himself one question: “What am I not seeing?” Assumptions are one of the areas that may be a blind spot, and leadership requires us to challenge them repeatedly. What used to work yesterday may no longer apply today, and it’s important …

LISTEN
Correct and Continue

How To Build a Culture of Continuous Improvement

by Sonya Shelton

Organizations can always improve something. Nothing is ever flawless, no matter how much we wish it could be. If you accept this reality, you can help your team create an environment of continuous improvement. When we accept that flaws exist, we provide the freedom to focus on improvement. When someone makes …

LISTEN
open communication

Effective Leaders Foster Open Communication

by Sonya Shelton

  As a leader, you want your team to follow you. To follow you, they need to trust you. To trust you, they need to believe what you say, and they want to know you care. It’s even better when you trust them too. Part of developing that trust, respect, …

LISTEN
relax business owner

5 Ways To Get Your Business To Run Without You

by Sonya Shelton

Some owners focus on growing their profits, while others are obsessed with sales goals. Have you ever considered making it your primary goal to set up your business so that it can thrive and grow without you? A business not dependent on its owner is …

LISTEN
Overwhelmed business woman

Have you fallen into The Mile Wide Trap?

by Sonya Shelton

If your company’s revenue has stalled after a period of rapid growth, you may have fallen into The Mile Wide Trap. Consider the case of Kim (not her real name) who runs a public relations firm. Kim studied marketing at school and went on to …

LISTEN
fire truck business

Why Fire Trucks Always Back In

by Sonya Shelton

Have you ever noticed that fire trucks always back into the fire hall? Why don’t they just pull into their parking spot snout-forward like the rest of us? Backing in at the end of a shift saves them time when they have to get to …

LISTEN
blood pressure test

Take a Blood Pressure Test for Your Business

by Sonya Shelton

When was the last time you had your blood pressure tested? Taking your blood pressure is one of the first things most doctors do before treating you for just about anything. How much pressure your blood is under as it courses through your veins is …

LISTEN
business value growth

Why Bother Doing It the Hard Way?

by Sonya Shelton

Whether you want to sell your business next year or a decade from now, you will have two basic options for an external sale: the financial or the strategic buyer. The Financial Buyer The financial buyer is buying the rights to your future profit stream, …

LISTEN
empower others

The Best Leaders Empower Others

by Sonya Shelton

We become more powerful when we empower others. Great leaders unleash the leader within each person, liberating them to use their own power. Everyone wants to feel like they are contributing to the vision. You can empower others by acknowledging their strengths and potential contributions. First, identify their strengths. Ask people …

LISTEN
Delegation owner manual

Thinking Vs. Doing: The Owner’s Dilemma

by Sonya Shelton

There’s a steady breeze from the northwest, which cools the warm Caribbean afternoon. Framed between a palm tree and the turquoise water, you notice a man reading. He appears to be working, which seems strange given his appearance: shaggy blonde hair, linen shirt, surf shorts …

LISTEN