Brenda’s Blog
Explore Brenda’s latest thinking on leadership, coaching, and branding. Each post offers practical insights and immediately usable tools to help you succeed — both as a leader and in life.
How to avoid losing your job to artificial intelligence
I had many great takeaways from attending the 2019 Thinkers50 event last month! Here is one of the quotes that stood out for me. Would you agree?
How well do YOU™ score on this inspiring leadership quiz?
I recently attending a showing of the hit musical Hamilton, in which there is a scene where the lead character (Alexander Hamilton), Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison are all in a private room, having a secret dinner meeting. Out of that meeting came the decision for the capital city of the United States to be […]
A message of gratitude
Having lived overseas for the past 25 years, I believe that one of the greatest American exports is its Thanksgiving holiday. Gratitude is a universal language, so I enjoy seeing this tradition enjoyed all across the world. It’s a wonderful time to acknowledge friends, family, clients, and work colleagues. This Thanksgiving, I am particularly grateful […]
I am happy to share that I received a Thinkers50 World Leader in Coaching award from Marshall Goldsmith
Yesterday, I am happy to share that I received a Thinkers50 World Leader in Coaching award from Marshall Goldsmith, for whom this award is named. I am honored to have spent a wonderful, thought-provoking day in London with fellow recipients as well as with the #mg100, sharing ideas around the future of coaching. A fantastic, […]
I am consistently amazed at Singapore’s efficiency!
I am consistently amazed at Singapore’s efficiency! I left our house at 10:25 p.m. tonight, arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 3, checked in, went to the lounge, ate a quick bite, accessed the lounge WiFi, and logged into a Zoom video call with my book editor in the U.S. – all by 11 p.m.! Such […]
I needed a break!
I needed a break! In the middle of several intense weeks of writing my next book, The Forgotten Choice, my husband and I decided to book a two-day, one-night stay-cation at a nice hotel in Singapore. It was such a fantastic opportunity to clear my mind and rejuvenate, reminding me of the importance of self-care […]
It’s never too late for an inspiring leader to do “this”
It’s never too late for an inspiring leader to do what? Celebrate wins! Years of working with executives has taught me that, unfortunately, we don’t celebrate successes as often as we could. A few years ago, that learning prompted me to write an article called “The Top 10 Reasons Why Leaders Should Celebrate Wins.” It […]
May I ask for your vote?
May I ask for your vote? I’m excited to have been nominated again this year as both a Top 30 Global Coaching Guru and a Top 30 Global Branding Guru! A portion of the final ranking is determined by votes, so I would be incredibly grateful for yours. I appreciate your support! Here’s the voting […]
Dinner with the Dean of Harvard Business School
Earlier this week, at a small private dinner for alums, I enjoyed a wonderful conversation with Harvard Business School’s Dean Nitin Nohria. Given our shared passion for developing high-level leaders, the Dean and I had an engaging chat about how to inspire leadership in today’s fast-paced, international world. It was also a terrific opportunity to […]
Be the leader you wish you had
I’ve heard clients say, “I’ve had a series of bad bosses, Brenda—no good role model—so you can’t really fault me for my poor people leadership.” I see it differently and respond with, “Be the leader you wish you had.” After all, we all know what the characteristics are of a good inspiring people leader. The […]
The surprising truth about how to create an inspiring leadership legacy
What causes certain leaders to achieve legacy status but not others, no matter how much a leader has accomplished nor how visible he or she has been in a company or in an industry? Just what is it that makes certain leaders so memorable and inspiring – leaving a clear legacy behind – while others […]
A key message to help embrace feedback
I just finished several days of what I playfully call “Book the Coach.” Seated in a conference room at a client site, I laser-coached seven executives per day over the course of seven days. The goal? To help these already gifted leaders become even more inspiring, especially when it comes to providing feedback to direct […]
What is the secret to earning more money and getting promoted?
A raise or promotion can be guaranteed by using one simple yet powerful tip. Watch and learn this sure-fire approach that I have shared with tens of thousands of clients around the world—with amazing outcomes. Excerpted from an interview I did as a guest on Christopher Rainey’s HRD Leaders Podcast, this one method can catapult […]
Honored to be one of Thinkers50 World Leaders in Coaching!
I’m excited to share that I have been selected as one of the inaugural Thinkers50 World Leaders in Coaching! This award is named in honor of Marshall Goldsmith, to recognize his extensive contribution to the world of Executive Coaching. This award will be celebrated in London at the bi-annual Thinkers50 gathering, which recognizes extraordinary management […]
The surprising truth about sitting “idly” at work
Thinking strategically is a critically important skill that must be developed in order to get promoted to higher levels of an organization … but most aspiring leaders don’t take time to do it. In this video, I share a client’s story you might relate to and emphasizes the importance of occasionally “doing nothing” on the […]
