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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
2 days ago4 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 84 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 304 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 252 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 173 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 112 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 43 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 273 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 214 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 203 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 183 min read


Why Hustle Beats Talent in Leadership: Lessons from Football
Hey there, friends—it’s Jim, coming to you from Toronto, where the fall chill is settling in and football season’s got me fired up. As a...
James Lord
Sep 133 min read


Leadership and Regret: How Missed Opportunities Can Shape Better Leaders
Hey folks, Jim here from Toronto, where the leaves are just starting to turn and the air's got that crisp back-to-school feel. As a dad...
James Lord
Sep 63 min read


Weekly Reflection for Leaders: How One Hour Boosts Productivity and Clarity
Anyone that knows me knows my calendar is insane… let's just say my calendar looks like a battlefield. But amidst the chaos, I've learned...
James Lord
Aug 283 min read


Authentic Leadership in a Digital Age: Why Handshakes and Notes Still Matter
Hey there, Jim Lord here, your guide to leadership with a heart, writing from the vibrant pulse of Newark Airport (while trying to get...
James Lord
Aug 243 min read


Building Trust in Leadership: How True Partnerships Drive Success
As a guy who's juggled leading big teams, writing a book on leadership, and trying to be present for my beautiful wife and our two...
James Lord
Aug 144 min read


Leadership Lessons From Ozzy Osbourne: Creativity, Resilience and Legacy
Hey folks, Jim here. As a busy executive, father of two amazing kids, and husband to the most patient woman in Toronto, I don't often...
James Lord
Aug 103 min read


How Leaders Can Integrate AI While Building Team Trust
As a seasoned executive with over 25 years leading large teams, a father of two, and a husband navigating the demands of a bustling...
James Lord
Aug 13 min read


The AI Search Shift: What Leaders Need to Know Beyond Google Ads
Hey there, fellow leaders and go-getters. If you've been around the block like I have, you know disruption doesn't knock—it just barges...
James Lord
Jul 204 min read


How to Command Confidence as a Leader: Lessons from Lestat
Interview With a Vampire, Season #3 is filming in Toronto, Ontario now. Imagine Lestat de Lioncourt striding into a Toronto loft,...
James Lord
Jul 182 min read
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