Leader Lab

We launched the Total Success Blueprint this week in the Leader Lab The first Action = Know Your Why. This is Mike's (see attached) ***yes, his handwriting peaked in 2nd grade. What's your Why? ------------ The Total Success Blueprint is a 30 day program. 10 Topics (plus a couple of bonuses if you are focused on Business success) Each topic includes a Learn (learn something) a Think (reflect on how it applies to your past experience) and an Act (put the work into practice).

This quote from Max DePree is one of those simple truths that hits hard: "We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are." Read that again. Because, oof. We all have goals and dreams, or even just a version of ourselves that we know would make us happier. But getting there? That requires change. And change requires discomfort—branching out, trying new things, stretching yourself in ways that feel awkward (even terrifying). It’s easy to stay where it’s comfortable. But nothing new happens in the comfort zone. And if you’re a leader? This matters even more. Because people are watching. If you’re not willing to evolve, take risks, or step into something unfamiliar, why would anyone around you? Growth isn’t just personal—it’s cultural. You can build the culture of growth for those you lead. Here’s your nudge: What’s one thing you know you need to step into, but you’ve been avoiding? A conversation, an opportunity, a skill, a risk? Because staying the same isn’t an option—at least not if you actually want to become who you’re meant to be. #Growth #Leadership #StretchYourself #LevelUp #LeadersBuildLeaders

Monday isn’t out to get you. It’s the starting line. How you show up today sets the tone for the rest of the week. So shake off any weekend fog, lock in, and work with intention. Half-hearted effort on Monday leads to a sluggish week. Full focus? That’s how you build momentum. What's one thing will you be working on this week to move forward? #TheLeaderLab #MondayMindset #LeadersBuildLeaders _______________________________________________________________ Need a group to help hold you accountable to moving on a Monday? Join us in the Leader Lab. https://lnkd.in/gXcTT8kb

Hot take: We’ve become too self-absorbed, and it’s making us lonely. Somewhere along the way, we stopped being neighbors. We stopped being curious. We got way too comfortable staying in our own little bubbles—doom-scrolling, ghosting plans, and convincing ourselves that “busy” is a personality trait. And now? We’re lonelier than ever. And, if we're being honest, we know it’s not just the algorithms, the after effects of the pandemic, or the state of the world. A lot of people have?actually chosen? ( ?? ) isolation. We’ve replaced real conversations with quick texts. We’ve traded community for convenience. We’ve prioritized “me time” so much that “we time” barely exists anymore. But the good news? We believe it can be fixed. Here’s your challenge: ?? Text someone?just because—not to plan something, not because you need something. Just check in. ?? Compliment a stranger. (even if it feels awkward.) ?? Make eye contact. Say hi. Small talk isn’t pointless—it’s practice for deeper connection. ?? Actually show up. Stop canceling plans just because your couch is winning the battle. ?? Need a space to build real connections? Join us in?The Leader Lab—a community where we talk, learn, and grow?together. https://lnkd.in/gXcTT8kb ?? Want to meet other people in person? Attend a Gathering Spot event —our solution to the gap in in-person connections. https://lnkd.in/g3iQm5ce And for the love of all things human—let’s stop normalizing “permanently in sweatpants” as a lifestyle choice. (we said what we said. ?? ) What do you think? Have we become too?comfortable with disconnection? What’s one small thing you’ll do today to reconnect? #connections #community #challenge #betheleader

I saw a video the other day that broke my heart. And, it’s been on my mind ever since. Someone was talking about how lonely they feel—how they have no one to turn to when life gets hard. How they started something new, something they were excited about… and no one cared. How their friends and family are “too busy.” How they feel invisible. Unimportant. Alone. And honestly? They’re not the only one. I have felt that way too and pretty recently.?Fortunately, I was able to spend time with friends and family and the feeling has passed. But, it's a good reminder. There are people all around us—our coworkers, our neighbors, even our own friends—who feel this way every single day. People who are barely holding it together. People who are this close to giving up on connection altogether because every time they reach out, no one reaches back. Yes, life is busy. Yes, we all have things going on and things that need to get done. But if we have time to scroll, we have time to check in. If we have time to binge-watch a show, we have time to send a text that says, Hey, I was thinking about you. People can feel broken for a million different reasons. But no one should have to be broken alone. And they don’t have to stay broken. We can do better. We have to do better. If someone pops into your head, don’t ignore it—reach out. If a friend starts something new, celebrate them and with them. If you ask, “How are you?”—mean it. Listen. If someone shares their struggles, don’t brush them off. Be there. SHOW up. Real connection isn’t about grand gestures. It is 100% about showing up. Even in small ways. Because one small moment of kindness could be the thing that reminds someone they do matter. That they are seen. That they are not, in fact, alone. Let’s stop assuming people know we care. Let’s show them. Who can you reach out to today? #BeThere #ShowUp #Connection #Community

Ah, the first Monday of a new month. A fresh slate. A time for big goals, big dreams… and probably some of the same old chaos. But if you’re a leader (and not just someone with “manager” in their email signature), this is a great time to pause and ask: How can I actually get better this month? Not in a “read another leadership book you’ll never finish” way—but in a real, actionable, “show up differently” way. Here’s a list to start your brainstorming (or at least get the wheels turning before you start your daily doom scroll) ? Listen more than you talk. No, really. Try asking your team what they need without immediately jumping in with your own brilliant ideas. You might be surprised at what you learn. ? Give credit where it’s due. If your team is crushing it, make sure they know it. Public praise, private appreciation—both matter. (And no, “great job” in some Slack thread doesn’t count as deep recognition.) ? Say the hard thing (with kindness). Avoiding tough conversations doesn’t make problems disappear, it just makes them fester. Be direct, be clear, and be human about it. ? Stop hoarding decisions. If you’re still making every call yourself, you’re not leading—you’re bottlenecking. Trust your team. Let them own something. You might even consider requiring them to own it.? ? Check your own energy. If you’re burned out, cranky, or running on fumes, your team feels it. Do something this month to take care of yourself—because a miserable leader helps no one. We’ve said it before and we will say it again, leadership isn’t about a title. It’s about how you show up, how you support your people, and how you keep growing yourself. So—what’s one thing you’re committing to this month? Drop it in the comments. Or you can just like this post and tell yourself?that counts. ?? #Leadership #NewMonthNewGoals #LeadBetter #LeadersBuildLeaders

Apply design thinking to identify next steps, move, and build momentum. And - if you need some help - you know a guy. That guy is Mike Simmons (me)

Keep building. Keep leading. Keep going. Let's grow together. If you are looking for leadership, start with a mirror. If you are looking for help - find a community, that you can trust, to hold up that mirror. That community might be the Leader Lab Sound interesting? Reach out to Jennifer Simmons or Mike Simmons #leadership - it's how we move forward.

Leadership isn’t just about managing a team—it’s about navigating relationships in every direction. Up to your boss. Across to your peers. Down to those you lead. Episode break down: ? How to adapt to your leader’s style and needs ? Why peer collaboration fuels success ? The key to empowering your team ? Communication strategies that actually work ? Why self-awareness is the foundation of great leadership If you want to lead with impact and not just by title, this is a must-watch. ?? https://lnkd.in/ghY36fgy Let us know what you thought of the episode. ?? #Leadership #Communication #Teamwork #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadersBuildLeaders

Want to find the next great leader on your team? Start by looking in the mirror. As Jack Welch said, "Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others." The best leaders don’t just chase their own success—they create an environment where others can succeed, too. They spot potential, nurture it, and challenge people to stretch beyond what they thought was possible. We know that potential doesn’t always show up in obvious ways. It’s not about the loudest voice in the room or the person with the perfect résumé. Sometimes, it’s the team member who quietly solves problems, the one who asks great questions, or the person who consistently makes others around them better. So, how can you grow others? ? Call out strengths they may not see in themselves. ? Give them opportunities to lead, even in small ways. ? Challenge them to take on something just outside their comfort zone. ? Be the kind of leader you needed before you stepped into the role you currently have. Real leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about building up the people around you so they can step into leadership themselves. Think about someone on your team with untapped potential - how can you help them take their next step? #Leadership #Growth #TheLeaderLab #LeadersBuildLeaders