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The Most Powerful Leadership Skill No One Teaches: Asking Better Questions
Most leaders spend their careers chasing better answers. Better strategies. Better metrics. Better solutions. But the leaders who grow the fastest — and help others grow — focus somewhere else first: They get better at asking questions. Because leadership isn’t defined by how many answers you have. It’s defined by the quality of the questions you’re willing to ask yourself. Your Leadership Level Is Hidden in Your Questions There’s a direct connection between the quality of
James Lord
Jan 243 min read


How Leadership Has Evolved Over the Decades — And What It Takes to Win in the Age of AI
Leadership isn’t static. It evolves — because the world evolves. The leadership style that created success in one era can become a liability in the next. The most effective leaders don’t cling to past formulas. They adapt their approach to match the challenges of today. If you zoom out across the last century, you can see leadership evolving in waves — shaped by technology, business models, and how people expect and need to be led. And today, with AI accelerating everything,
James Lord
Jan 174 min read


Doing Great Work Is a Leadership Choice
Most leaders say they want excellence. Fewer structure their time, attention, and behavior in a way that actually produces it. Great work — whether in leadership, business, or life — is rarely the result of intensity alone. It’s the result of sustained curiosity, focused effort, and patience over time . And for leaders, that standard doesn’t just apply to what you produce — it applies to how you show up. Great leadership work is not accidental.It ’s chosen. Choose wisely.
James Lord
Jan 133 min read


Your Leadership Year in Review: What 2025 Taught You — If You’re Willing to Look
Everywhere you look, companies are offering a “Year in Review.” Spotify shows us what we listened to.ChatGPT shows us how we thought, asked, and explored.Fitness apps recap our habits, trends, and progress. These summaries are interesting — even entertaining. But they point to a deeper opportunity that many of us should consider as leaders… What if you conducted your own leadership year in review? Not the polished version. Not the resume version. The honest one. The Leader
James Lord
Jan 33 min read


New Year’s Resolutions Are Leadership Promises — Especially the Ones You Make to Yourself
Every January, leaders everywhere make promises. We promise to be healthier. More present. More disciplined. Better leaders, parents, partners, coaches and teammates. Yet by February, many of those commitments quietly fade. Not because we didn’t mean them — but because we misunderstood what resolutions really are. New Year’s resolutions aren’t about motivation. They’re about accountability. They’re about ownership . And ownership is the foundation of leadership. Leadership S
James Lord
Dec 28, 20253 min read


The Leadership Lesson of Santa Claus: Why Giving Makes You Stronger
At first glance, Santa Claus may seem like an unlikely leadership role model. Red suit. Reindeer. A once-a-year appearance. But look closer — and you’ll find one of the most enduring examples of positive leadership the world has ever known. Santa leads without authority. He gives without expectation. And somehow, year after year, he inspires belief, loyalty, and joy on a global scale. That’s not magic. That’s leadership. ⸻ Santa Leads Through Service, Not Status Santa doesn’t
James Lord
Dec 22, 20253 min read


When Ego Leads, Leadership Suffers
Ego is one of the most subtle — and destructive — forces in leadership.It rarely announces itself loudly. More often, it shows up as certainty without curiosity, confidence without humility, and authority without accountability. Left unchecked, ego doesn’t just slow leadership growth — it quietly dismantles trust, silences truth, and blinds leaders to the very signals they most need to hear from their staff or from their customers. Ego Doesn’t Make Leaders Strong — It Makes
James Lord
Dec 13, 20253 min read


The Tom Cruise Standard: What Leadership Looks Like When Effort Becomes a Habit
When most people think of Tom Cruise, they picture the blockbuster star hanging off airplanes or sprinting through explosions. But behind the stunts and global fame lies something far more impressive — a relentless work ethic and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. Cruise’s approach to his craft offers a surprising lesson for every leader: excellence isn’t about talent — it’s about effort. The Power of Showing Up Prepared Tom Cruise isn’t just known for his performance
James Lord
Dec 6, 20253 min read


Boost Your Leadership Skills Effectively
Leadership is one of those things that sounds simple but feels like a puzzle when you’re in the thick of it. I’ve been there—wondering how to inspire my team, make tough calls, and still keep my sanity intact. Over time, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about growing, adapting, and showing up authentically every day. If you’re ready to boost your leadership skills effectively, let’s dive into some real-world leadership insights that have h
James Lord
Nov 24, 20254 min read


10 Powerful Rules for Giving SMART Method Feedback That Drives Real Growth
Learn the essential rules for giving effective SMART method feedback that helps people grow, increases clarity, and strengthens leadership outcomes. Includes examples, tips, and best practices. Introduction to SMART Method Feedback Giving great feedback is one of the most important skills a leader can build. Whether you're guiding a new team member or coaching an experienced professional, your ability to communicate clearly can transform performance, confidence, and team cult
James Lord
Nov 15, 20254 min read


Preparing the Youngest Workers for the Age of GenAI
We are living through a period of unprecedented technological change, and reports indicate that our youngest workers—those aged 21 to 25—are feeling the effects of Generative AI most acutely in the form of job reductions. As leaders in management and HR, we cannot afford to wait for this disruption to settle. We must take proactive steps now to prepare this driven generation to find meaningful and enduring employment. The future economy will demand workers who are resilient
James Lord
Nov 8, 20254 min read


Mastering Effective Leadership in Today's World
Leadership. It’s a word that carries weight, promise, and sometimes, a little bit of fear. I remember the first time I was handed a leadership role. My heart raced, palms sweated, and I thought, “Am I really ready for this?” Fast forward a few years, and I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about growth, connection, and yes, mastering some key techniques that make all the difference. If you’re ready to dive into what it takes to lead effectiv
James Lord
Oct 30, 20254 min read


Courage Isn’t Loud: Leading When the Lights Go Out
When crisis hits, the world looks to leaders — not for perfection, but for presence.In the quiet moments after the storm begins, true leadership isn’t found in the headlines or the heroics. It’s found in the calm voice that says, “We’ll find a way through this.” Courageous leadership isn’t about fearlessness. It’s about showing up even when fear is everywhere. The Myth of the Fearless Leader Too often, courage gets mistaken for bravado — the loud confidence that everything
James Lord
Oct 25, 20252 min read


Leadership at the Speed of Change: Why Standing Still Is the New Decline
In today’s world, change doesn’t knock — it kicks the door down. Markets shift overnight, technologies outdate themselves in months, and global events rewrite the rules of business in real time. Yet one element inside organizations often evolves the slowest: leadership. No matter how advanced our tools become, success still depends on how we lead — not just from the top, but across every level of the organization. The leaders who thrive today are those who understand this tru
James Lord
Oct 17, 20253 min read


Advice on How to Support Men
( Transcribed from Episode 999 of Modern Wisdom by Chris Williamson ) Men want to aim high without feeling insufficient if they fall short. Men want their suffering to be recognized and appreciated without being pandered to or patronized and made to feel weak. Men want to believe they can be more, without feeling like they're not already enough. Men want to be able to open up without being judged. Men want support without feeling broken. Men want to be loved for w
James Lord
Oct 11, 20252 min read


Leadership Lessons from 'Wick Is Pain': Turning Adversity into Unstoppable Momentum
As a leader, I’m always on the lookout for moments of inspiration—sometimes they come from the most unexpected places. Recently, I found...
James Lord
Oct 4, 20253 min read


Leadership Lessons from Billy Joel's Historic Madison Square Garden Residency
Billy Joel’s historic residency at Madison Square Garden, spanning January 2014 to July 2024, was a cultural milestone, with 104...
James Lord
Sep 27, 20253 min read


How a 30-Day Push-Up Challenge Taught Me Discipline and Leadership
That’s right. I saw a Facebook post a few months ago about doing 50 pushups a day for 30 days to help raise money for some non-profit...
James Lord
Sep 21, 20254 min read


10 Leadership Lessons from Charlie Kirk’s Enduring Legacy that Emerging Leaders Can Learn
The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, on September 11, 2025, at Utah Valley University, cut short a...
James Lord
Sep 20, 20253 min read


How to Improve Leadership Communication: Frequency, Effectiveness, and Intent
In Toronto, where the crisp fall air and events like the Toronto International Film Festival set a vibrant stage, it’s an ideal time to...
James Lord
Sep 18, 20253 min read
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