Lead the climb.

Read about tools, concepts and insights to help you make the leadership climb.

The Forgotten Power of Middle Managers

By Micah Ray | Jan 27, 2025 |

The Forgotten Power of Middle Managers – Why Leadership Development Is Key Middle managers were once seen as the backbone of thriving organizations, but somewhere along the way, their role lost its luster. Today, many middle managers feel overworked, undervalued, and caught in a storm of unrealistic expectations. Let’s explore why this role remains pivotal…

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Collaboration to Elevate Your Interior Design and Architecture Projects

By Micah Ray | Dec 11, 2024 |

Introduction Many of our clients and followers are interior designers or architects. If you’re in one of these groups (or in a design-oriented business), you’re constantly balancing creative vision with practical execution. While your in-house team may handle the core design work, the most ambitious, high-impact projects often require external collaboration. Whether it’s partnering with…

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The Art of Interpersonal Communication to Build Connection and Influence

By Micah Ray | Nov 15, 2024 |

Never does a week go by that Mike and I aren’t asked by a leader about how to communicate something to someone else. So I will give them advice and model for them what to say, and often, when I finish, I will hear them say, “I should have been recording that!”   Whether it’s…

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Crafting a Powerful Vision Statement

By Micah Ray | Nov 5, 2024 |

Crafting a Powerful Vision Statement: A 5-Year Roadmap for Your Organization Introduction: Why Vision Clarity Is Essential for Strategic Direction A clear and compelling vision statement is more than just words on a wall; it’s the north star that guides your organization’s long-term direction. Without a well-defined vision, it’s easy for your team to drift,…

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Moving From Burnout to Confidence and Control

By Micah Ray | Oct 2, 2024 |

Moving From Burnout to Confidence and Control Ever feel like you’re drowning in a sea of endless tasks, urgent demands, and mounting frustrations? You’re not the only one. I remember a job I once loved. The mission inspired me, and I worked alongside great people. But over time, something shifted. My focus wavered, fatigue set…

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Breakthrough Ideas

By Micah Ray | May 18, 2024 |

With the right process, breakthrough ideas can go from haphazard to habitual. sporadic to systematic. I know it’s possible because I’ve used this one tried and true process with clients and projects for years. I had a person book a coaching session with me recently. She has plenty of professional success, but after some life…

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Empowering the Secret Backbone of Your Business

By Micah Ray | May 8, 2024 |

Empowering the Secret Backbone of Your Business “Middle management is a vital yet beleaguered role within organizations.” (McKinsey Global Survey, published 2023)1 Recent studies2 show that middle managers often lack the development, empowerment, and appreciation they need, despite being the glue that holds everything together. What’s your experience been? Are middle managers thought of and…

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The 90-Day Self-Improvement Blueprint: A Quarterly Review Process

By Micah Ray | Apr 1, 2024 |

Today is the first day of the new quarter. That means it is a good time to review the previous quarter. I do this with several of our clients. And I used to do reviews in my corporate job for my team. Perhaps you already do employee reviews annually if you have a team. That’s…

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The 5C Code for Communication Mastery

By Micah Ray | Mar 25, 2024 |

I recently picked up a fantastic new book called “The Communication Code” by Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram, the co-founders of GiANT. As someone who is passionate about improving communication and relationships, I was immediately drawn to the core premise. Jeremie and Steve provide a simple but powerful framework for elevating your emotional intelligence and…

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The Cost of Poor Communication

By Micah Ray | Nov 6, 2023 |

Every month, Mike and I have the privilege of hearing from our clients about the significant impact our communication tools have in reducing poor communication. Just today, Mike shared a story with me about a recent coaching call he conducted. The client emphasized how our tools empowered her to communicate in the context of difficult…

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