Take a look at our January newsletter!
Adapt and Thrive
2025 JAN
Master the Art and Science of Leadership
The world needs more good leaders. As my cousin, Col. (Retired) Scott Kirkpatrick, a decorated war hero and retired
a servant is important! It’s your duty as a parent and a leader in your child’s life to help shape them.
In my business, being a good leader also requires a special awareness. I am learning that when you reach a certain level of growth, you can’t keep doing the same things that got you where you are. If you want to grow, you must step out of your comfort zone. I am comfortable packing boxes or unloading freight in the warehouse. Those roles and the work ethic I learned from my family are ingrained in me. I have also been very decisive in moving the business forward. To generate more revenue, I’ve implemented new software and a fulfillment service for our customers. The challenging part now is letting go of some day-to-day tasks and making good use of the time I have earned to do other things. Most great leaders spend a lot of time thinking and planning their next move. For me, 2025 is about creating intentional space in my day to do just that. Many of you who read this newsletter are business owners, so I’m sure you understand how tough it can be to lead a business. It’s hard to explain those challenges to someone who has never been an entrepreneur. It’s like trying to explain to somebody who has never had a kid what it is like to have one. You just can’t convey the enormity of that experience in words. Nevertheless, in 2025, I am 100% committed to carving out time to grow as a leader, to better serve all those who may be watching, and to provide education and the right environment for anyone following my lead. In all that, I hope to become a leader others want to follow.
Army commandant, writes on page two of this month’s
newsletter, the old authoritarian leadership style doesn’t work well. Good leaders today must believe that their organization has value, communicate it to others, and motivate them to drive toward success. I agree with Scott that providing education and the right environment can help team members grow and reach their potential. It’s important to remember that in everything we do as leaders, there is always someone watching. I recently overheard my 4-year-old son Bennett ask my wife, “Is Daddy going to want to play with me today, or is he going to be in a bad mood?” His question left me wondering, “When was I in a bad mood?” I might
have deferred answering one of his questions briefly, saying, “In a minute, Buddy.” But I can’t remember being in a bad mood!
But in that little moment, a realization hit me. Whatever I do, Bennett is always watching. That was a reminder that we don’t always exercise leadership from a position of power. Sometimes, we show leadership by educating and nurturing those watching us. We serve as leaders for our kids by setting an example. I try to teach Bennett that it is important to listen to others and be respectful wherever he goes. Whenever I’m in a restaurant, I try to set an example of treating servers with respect. If you have kids, showing them that being a server doesn’t make someone
Your Guide to Affordable Family Fun WALT DISNEY WORLD WITHOUT THE WALLET WOES
For years, a visit to Walt Disney World felt like an essential part of the American upbringing. There’s nothing quite like taking a picture with Mickey Mouse, the unique water smell in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, or the night-time fireworks spectacle over Cinderella Castle. However, the cost of a Disney vacation has increased significantly in recent years, and features that helped make the trip more magical, like free transportation to and from the airport, are a thing of the past. Many families struggle to save enough money to travel to Orlando to visit Disney World. Thankfully, cost-saving strategies can help get you and your loved ones in front of the castle. HAVE A PLAN FOR SNACKS AND MEALS BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE PARK. Disney parks are well-known for their world-class restaurants and food options, but with good quality comes a higher cost. A soft pretzel shaped like Mickey Mouse with cheese sauce costs more than $8; buying more than one adds up quickly. Disney allows you to bring your own snacks and nonalcoholic beverages into the park, so consider taking advantage of that. Make a budget, research the restaurants beforehand, and have everyone pick out what they want to eat so you know exactly how much food will cost.
In this second of two articles on Col. (Retired) Scott Kirkpatrick, a decorated war hero and successful military leader, he sets forth three lessons of leadership that worked well for him.
The art and science of leadership is a process that inspires others to achieve their maximum performance and potential. Three primary leadership lessons worked well for me in my 28-year military career as a field commander in six combat tours of duty and as Commandant of the Army Inspector General School. These same principles apply to other professional environments, including business and sports. First, it is important to debunk the myth that there is such a thing as a natural-born leader. It’s true that some people are more gregarious and extroverted by nature than others, and those people are a little more likely to get people to do things for reasons beyond their personal interests. Most people have embedded skills, something that makes them unique in some way. Education and the right environment can help them realize those skills.
AVOID DISNEY HOTELS. Disney’s hotels have different price tiers. Deluxe resorts like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge usually cost around $500 a night. Moderate-tier resorts like Disney’s Coronado Springs can run anywhere from $250–$500, depending on the season. And the value resorts usually stay under $250 a night. However, if you were to stay at a non-Disney hotel, you’d pay a fraction of the price while still being close to the parks. CONSIDER HIRING A TRAVEL AGENT. This might sound counterproductive if you’re trying to save money, but Disney works closely with various travel agencies to help park-goers cut costs and reduce stress. They will help plan every aspect of your trip
Think about a successful salesperson. They didn’t wake up one morning, roll out of bed, and start convincing other people to buy their products. The truly gifted ones succeeded because they believed their product had value and built a process to communicate that value to customers. They built that process through data-driven trial and error, post-event analysis, and, most importantly, through synthesis. What worked and didn’t, and how do we improve next time? That’s the synthesis. Leadership is no different. Leaders must believe the initiative they are leading has value, and they must develop a process to communicate that value to various individuals. What is a leader’s product? It is their vision, intent, values, and training strategy. Who are their customers?
and ensure you get all meal reservations and Lightning Lanes your family wants. They’re also the first to know when discounts go live,
so they can ensure you get resort and ticket prices at the best value.
Lead Like a Warrior 3 LESSONS FROM THE FRONT LINES
Our subordinates, peers, and other stakeholders — all of those we must bring into the fold to convert our vision to reality.
that your people might make mistakes within those boundaries? I have seen many leaders provide guidance, set boundaries, and give their subordinates authority, but when things don’t go right, they are the first ones to throw their subordinates under the bus. As a true leader, you should be ready to take the heat for your subordinates, assuming they operate within your set parameters. You have to be willing to underwrite that risk. Finally, you must be a genuine leader of decisions. You can’t allow the immediate to overcome the important. Many people get wrapped around the axle about getting tasks done and forget what they are trying to achieve. If you’re focused on daily activity at the expense of driving toward your long-term intent, you will not be maximizing your resources, people, and money.
Second, a leader has to know and understand their team. “Know” and “understand” are two different things. Many leaders think they are doing a great job if they know facts about their subordinates — their birthdays or their kids’ names. Those overtures are important, but don’t qualify as compelling incentives for people to follow you. And as a leader, you only have time for the most compelling incentives. What is compelling to subordinates is a leader who understands what makes them want to perform. This means knowing what drives them to do something based on the culture and environment you, as a leader, have created. Since I started this journey in 1996 as a second lieutenant in the Army, one principle has underpinned my leadership. You must understand that you answer to your superiors, but you work for your subordinates. You can’t ever let your ambition outrun that commitment. Among the questions you must ask yourself is whether you are leading people by giving them clear guidance. Are you setting professional boundaries and empowering them to exercise sound judgment and make decisions within those boundaries? And, in what I consider a real test of great leadership, are you willing to underwrite the risk
This requires delegating the decisions that others can make so you can attend to the things that only you, as a leader, can do. That way, you can stay above the daily knife fight and see over the horizon. This will ensure that, as a leader, you will be known for the two most important things — always taking the high ground and getting things done.
BEGINNINGS BLANKETS CARNATION CAPRICORN GARNET HEALTHY ICICLE PENGUIN PLANNING RESOLUTION SNOWBOARD SOUPY
HAVE A LAUGH!
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Embracing the Responsibilities of Leadership 1 Plan Your Perfect Disney Escape Without Breaking the Bank 2 Leadership Lessons From a War Hero: Part 2 3
The Power of Planning Something to Look Forward To 4
WHY SMALL PLANS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE THE HAPPINESS HACK
When life feels overwhelming, or you just aren’t feeling your best, it can be difficult to find hope or joy. Sometimes, the best medicine is a little self-care in the form of simple
concerts? You might sign up for an improv class or buy tickets to see a play. It can be anything that brings a smile to your face.
PLAN IT. Once you know the activity, start planning. Our busy lives sometimes lack time for the little things that make us feel good. Treat your happiness like a necessary appointment and get it on your calendar. Spending time with your loved ones and friends also has a wealth of benefits for your mental health, so decide whether you want someone to join you.
activities and treats that you enjoy most. One of the best ways to boost your mood is by planning something to look forward to. Whether it’s a favorite movie, a new painting class, or a tasty latte, prioritizing things that bring us happiness can empower us with hope. It’s like adding a bright spot in the future, making the tough days more manageable.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE? Your plan doesn’t have to be grand or
By planning to do things that bring you joy, you’ll feel more hopeful, balanced, and better equipped to handle whatever life throws your way.
complicated. Start by identifying activities that make you happy or that interest you. Do you love comedy movies or enjoy going to
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