Transformational Leadership—4 Tips To Up Your Game

work team focused on leader

Transformational leadership is about change. Good leaders focus on getting the job done—doing what’s necessary to complete the tasks at hand. Great leaders focus on the people involved, seeing each task as both an objective and opportunity. Transformational leadership achieves goals while elevating everyone involved. People are inspired and motivated, walking away with something they […]

Servant Leadership Excellence – 7 Required Traits

compass pointing to TRUST

Even if you weren’t the kid who led the neighborhood when you were ten-years-old, you can become a more influential leader. I was an effective leader when I transitioned from business consulting and motivational speaking to the horse industry. During those years my skills as both a servant leader and entrepreneur grew in ways I […]

When Your Horse Seems Insecure

Sorrel horse from the rear showing rider's left leg and boot

Should you pass or press on when your horse tells you that he’s not comfortable with a gait, surroundings, or maneuver? You must know which option makes the situation more positive and which is an excuse to avoid an issue you don’t want to address. Sometimes the plan to exclude an exercise when your horse […]

Dealing Effectively With Pushy, Squeaky Wheels

Diva, our three-year-old miniature dachshund, is the one squeaky wheel in our house. She can be pushy, demanding, and vocal. The shrill noises emanating from our cuddly little cutie translate to, “Throw my ball!” or “Pay attention to me!” We’re dealing with her shriekish squeaks because I screwed up. I’m good with managing pushy horses […]

6 Reasons Why Your Horse Doesn’t Trust You – 2 of 3

Consistency is wonderful as long as you consistently do the right things. Like any progressive learning process, testing reveals the degree of mastery over subject matter and the effectiveness of the teaching. Part 1 of this series is a deep-dive into the primary reason your horse doesn’t trust you: inconsistency. This part introduces the next […]

Jesus Was the First Sherpa Leader

Pastors and leaders guided by the relationship principles Jesus taught His own disciples often think of themselves as shepherds. The biblical Greek word for shepherd translates into Latin as pastor.  Knowing more about Sherpas may help you as a shepherd or pastor since you both have limited flocks and unlimited commitment. “Jesus took Peter, James, […]

Leadership – Horsemanship – Discipleship

I’ve been a leadership junkie for decades. Transitioning from corporate America, consulting, and motivational speaking to horse training wasn’t as difficult as it may seem at first blush, because the rules for success were the same. The move from the horse industry to ministry was a bit more complicated, but I’ve discovered that the method […]

Every Horse Trainer is Guilty of This

  The quickest way to turn a willing horse into a sour horse is by asking him to do something he can’t one time too many. The result is a pissy resistant horse. Horse trainers have the same human failings you do, falling into the trap of thinking we’re always right. Whether routinely or rarely, […]