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.
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 […]
What helps YOU feel inspired and creative?
I’m writing my next book, and I tend to write best when I’m near water. So, while searching for a quiet space with water nearby, my husband found this wonderful location. Here’s the view from my latest “writing perch” where, for the next 11 days, I will let creativity “flow” (every pun intended!). Would love […]
Are you doing enough of “this” to build your inspiring leadership brand?
This year marks 25 years since I moved overseas. It was 1994, and although I was still fairly young in my career, my employer Procter & Gamble (“P&G”) had asked me to move to Warsaw, Poland where my mission was to help establish and grow leadership brands for the company in the newly opened Central […]
Busy? Here’s a great way to stay connected!
I’m working on my next book right now, so my free time is quite limited. But I hate turning down “let’s get together” invitations that come in from friends and colleagues. My solution? “Virtual drinks.” Agree on a date and time, send a video call invitation, we each show up to the call with a […]
Clients often ask me, “How can I demonstrate greater Executive Presence?”
Does this cartoon seem familiar to you? Clients often ask me, “How can I demonstrate greater Executive Presence?” My response: Be PRESENT. Be in the here and now, not agonizing over a situation from the past or anticipating what might come in the future. This applies to most situations: attending meetings, presenting, giving feedback, and […]
In Hong Kong this week to do two of my favorite things – speak to audiences and coach executives.
As a frequent traveler, I am often asked how to stay mindful and maintain wellness during business trips. One thing I do is wake up early and take a moment to pause and appreciate the surroundings. Here’s the beautiful sunrise that welcomed me this morning!
How do you navigate office politics and still stay authentic?
Very few leaders like dealing with organizational politics, but learning to successfully navigate through it is key to success in the work world. In this video, excerpted from an interview with Forbes contributor, Caterina Kostoula, I share a simple yet effective way of managing the seemingly daunting “office politics maze” while helping you to remain […]
