This past week was unprecedented for me. I had 4 – four – individuals, in 1 week, tell me they had been ‘riffed’ from their current roles.These individuals have had strong careers and are worthy, capable contributors. However, now they are faced with (what they perceive as) a tremendous setback at a stage in their life where most – if not all – thought they would be somewhere else. What gives?!

It is hard to believe it is July already and we are half way through 2013! Many of my clients have lamented they are not where they wanted to be at this point in the year. Yet, one thing I know for sure – if we stop pursuing whatever goal we aspire to achieve, we are guaranteed not to achieve it! So, what can we do to get our ‘mojo’ back?

Recently, there has been much fanfare about the importance of back-up singers. In fact there is a new documentary, Twenty Feet from Stardom, that pays tribute to these nameless though gifted performers who stood 20 feet from everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Michael Jackson. I have noticed and admire a single trait of these back-up singers.

Ever felt a bit out of control of your time, your day…your life?! In two and half words – who hasn’t?! This past month, many of my clients have been juggling with their over crowded lives with sending kids to summer camp, graduations, weddings, mid-year results, and keeping all their plates spinning. How do we stay balanced, together, and aligned with how and where we want to spend our time?

Okay folks, let’s be honest. We have all compared ourselves to others at one point or another. The reason the phrase “I’ll have what she’s having” (from that fabulous movie ‘When Harry Meets Sally’) resonates with so many…is that it is not ONLY about what Meg Ryan was acting out!! We compare and contrast ourselves with others around lots of things. We often do this to gauge how we are doing based on what we see others doing.

I have not met a single person in my life who has not experienced stress at least ONCE in their life! So, when I meet with clients and executives who are stressed out, there are a few basic tips we go back to when we are bubbling over due to the demands of life and work.

I am quite certain there are many more than just 4 lessons we can all learn from those who have lived over 80 years. Recently, my mother had to undergo a hip replacement, and though she has not sailed through the experience, she continues to teach through her actions how to embrace and meet challenges head on. These 4 lessons are applicable to each of us – every day – with the routine challenges in life

This week, I am featuring a guest blog post from Adrian Wood, VP Business Development for Shadowmatch USA. Adrian discusses the concept of “servant leadership” in growing companies and the difference it makes for managers and companies that are trying to scale their teams and organizations.

Recently there was an interesting article in TIME referencing characteristics of value in other people. The results were fascinating, and perhaps hold the key to our future – as individual leaders and in our places of works.

Over the past several years, there has been an onslaught of E-friendly, organic, and 100% natural products and services being offered. I have been a fan of Whole Foods Market since it was founded back in 1980 in Austin, Texas. They have built a credible and reliable brand for their strict standards relative to the products they offer. Does this really matter? I mean…does this translate to real ROI??