Physical wellness is the characteristic most often considered when an individual thinks about wellness. To be clear physical wellness incorporates exercise, sleep, diet, personal hygiene, the use of drugs or alcohol, and more—all lifestyle choices that affect a person’s physical self.

Today and over the course of the next seven weeks, I will explore the seven elements of wellness that can improve both an individual and a company.  There is a plethora of research to support that each of these dimensions are both professionally and personally valuable. 

Every business and every individual must measure what matters. When talking to companies and business students at Johnson County Community College it is emphasized that food cost percentage and labor costs are equally important. A company can easily lower food cost by throwing labor at it and a company can lower labor costs by throwing convenience items at it. It is vital that an organization make certain that the measurement adds value and is accurate.

Anyone who has heard me present has likely heard me talk about “betting on leaders.” I’d say you have to bet on those with the most potential because you cannot invest in everyone. Lately, I am reconsidering this idea. Maybe I got it all wrong.

Every heard of the “Five Why” approach to problem solving? It’s a method of analysis that seeks to get to the bottom of any problem by asking a series of “Why” questions. Take this recent example by Peter Cohan who used the technique recently to analyze the Silicon Valley Bank failure. Note: My interest is less in the bank collapse and more in why the “Five Why” method can be so powerful in issue resolution.

Recently, while coaching a team as part of Leadership Development, one member of the team told their leader that they needed a different coach because “Brett” would be too nice and not hold them accountable. This was an interesting revelation for me and one that has irritated me for the better part of several weeks. How do I do a better job of holding individuals accountable; especially as a professional coach?

This morning I listened to Brad Pasley’s new song “Same Here.” One of the stanza’s goes: “I've got a friend across the ocean // Seems like a million miles away // He says our worlds are very different // Yeah, that's true, but I gotta say // He's got his own kind of football team that // Lets him down every year // A wife he loves and a bunch of dreams // For his country he holds so dear // He prays for peace and freedom // Same here.” The song is about the similarities between human experiences.

One of my goals for 2023 was to break an 8-minute mile for two consecutive miles. I had run an 8:07 mile recently, so it was not out of the realm of possibility. However, I was also not confident that it would happen anytime soon as I had been stuck above 8-minutes for some time. Just last month, I ran 2-miles in 15:36 or a 7’44” pace. Happy dance!

When we look to lead and manage employees it is all about the individual employee. A recent report from Bain & Company supports the fact that there are different types of employees working in your organization and they are motivated by different things. We as leaders need to understand and embrace this reality

When we consider selling a hotel room, a restaurant meal, a leadership development program, or even hiring a new employee, it is paramount that we identify the guests' needs. Yes, the employee is as much your guest as everyone else in the room

We have the opportunity each new year to change, to do things differently, and go another route in life. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to embody hope in work and in the world, and I think much of this has to do with being intentional about choosing a different way. We can stay stuck or we can choose another path.

The start of another trip around the sun is a time when many people contemplate or make “New Year’s Resolutions.” While the idea may seem silly to some I find it a great way to goal set and prioritize.

Why don’t more people ask for help? I am not an acclaimed researcher like Brene’ Brown, but fear seems to me to be a reasonable response. Fear of failure, loss, or humiliation, perhaps? Life does not teach us how to deal with this fear and so we hold onto it. However, letting go can open us up to greater possibilities not only in work but in life as a whole.

Happiness is a mindset. One I currently have and one that was missing for much of my 53 years. Maybe the shift came with age or more likely it came with numerous practices that improved my disposition and ultimately productivity.

We are in need of continuing to push ourselves to learn and grow.  If we are not learning and growing we are falling behind.  Life comes at us fast and there is so much new information we have to process that knowing where to start can be overwhelming.