Tag: Dailypost

That Wretched Performance Improvement Plan As Leadership Changes

THAT WRETCHED PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PLAN

It’s a devil. I tell you it’s the devil! You work hard. Achieve great results and are applauded for your contribution.

Then a change in leadership! Things go haywire. Goals are thwarted. Messages are confusing. Leaders don’t explain. Midst the changes, the transition in process becomes the focus backed by mixed signals.

Then comes the inevitable performance drop. A lack of clarity, missed communication. Performance improvement plan rears its ugly head. A strong performer, an all star becomes the targeted.

Where did things go wrong?

Ever experienced it? Let’s talk.

5 Leadership Lessons from Great Teachers

Dead Poets Society

Clarity builds trust and momentum

Summer is almost over and it’s time to make all those back-to-school plans. As we make those plans, lets pause for a minute. Think of a teacher or two who made a difference in your life. Personally, as I age, I think about those teaching experiences and the effect they had on my leadership journey. As I look back, I think of society’s great teachers like Erin Gruwell, Maria Montessori, and the fictional Mr. Keating (Dead Poets Society).

Here are 5 lessons leaders can learn from great teachers.

1.Clarity is Powerful

Teachers break down complex topics into simple, digestible pieces.
Leaders must do the same—clearly communicate vision, expectations, and feedback so everyone understands what success looks like.

Lesson: Say less, mean more. Clarity builds trust and momentum.

2. Patience Enables Progress

Teachers know learning takes time and that growth isn’t always linear.
Leaders should extend grace and patience during times of transition, failure, or new learning curves—whether with teams or themselves.

Lesson: Progress often looks like repetition before results.

3. Individual Strengths Matter

Great teachers recognize that not every student learns the same way.
Great leaders acknowledge that not every employee works, leads, or grows the same. They tailor support, roles, and recognition accordingly.

Lesson: Personalize your leadership to bring out the best in each person.

4. Structure Creates Freedom

Teachers use routines and structure to create a safe space for creativity and exploration.
Leaders who implement clear systems give their teams the confidence and autonomy to take initiative.

Lesson: Strong frameworks unlock innovative thinking.

5. Passion Inspires Performance

Teachers who genuinely care spark curiosity and motivation.
Leaders who lead with purpose, authenticity, and heart cultivate higher engagement and loyalty.

Lesson: When you model passion, people give their best

As school begins its opening session, the road becomes a task / lesson plan in and of itself. What are your thoughts on the top five lessons? Anything missing that you would like to add? Do share, we would love to hear.

Don’t forget to connect if you would like to discuss your own leadership growth journey.

Jamaica’s Port Royal, A Summer Must Visit

A Port Royal Tale

When most people think of Jamaica, they think of white sandy beaches and tons of fun in the sun. Yes indeed! It’s all that! And if you’ve never been, you should!

But the island is more than that. It’s filled with rich history. A land full of learning. Oh yes, Learning comes in different forms. To understand the future you have to look back.

To understand the future, you have to look back.

After Calabash Literary Festival, I visited Port Royal, the historical site tagging along with my girls. A visit I thought ‘boring’ but agreed to go. My older daughter wanted her boys to learn about the land of her birth.

Boy was I in for a surprise! The rich history that existed in that place was unfathomable. Now that I’m older, I was able to connect the dots. Here’s a brief overview.

Canons and Pirates

Initially inhabited by Pirates, canons were evident everywhere. Captain’s quarters provided full length windows showing 360-degree visuals of views from the Caribbean Sea. This was a way to prepare for potential battle while enhancing supervision from all corners.

Giddy House

Giddy House was named for the feeling visitors get when they try to stand straight inside. It was an artillery house that stored defense items. Giddy house was struck by an earthquake in 1907 and partially sank.

Trees And Secret Spots

Hundred-year-old trees provided way more than shelter. Their magnificence can’t be missed.

Secret spots were noticeable everywhere. All conducive to the life of a pirate to protect, attack, and surprise.

Earthquake’s Effects

Sadly, Port Royal suffered the major earthquake. A natural disaster that sunk the area leaving remnants of what once was.

The sea’s backdrop midst the sun’s heat, was nothing compared to the learning gleaned. Our family walked away with rich learning of stories told and untold.

Fish Sealed Experience

A sumptuous meal of fish and festival at nearby restaurant sealed the simple yet remarkable experience.

Plan a visit. I hear the area is now a point of renovated focus for the beautiful island of Jamaica.

Cheers!

5 Great Teachers—Real and Iconic—Who’ve Made a Lasting Impact

What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments but what is engraved in the lives of others

Pericles

Behind every great leader is a story of someone who taught them how to think, not what to think. Whether in classrooms, communities, or through powerful stories, teachers like Anne Sullivan, Jaime Escalante, Erin Gruwell, Maria Montessori, and even the fictional Mr. Keating from Dead Poets Society have left lasting legacies. They did not just impart knowledge, but they also unlocked human potential. Their bold approaches, deep empathy, and unwavering belief in those they taught offer rich leadership lessons for anyone seeking to inspire, elevate, and transform others.

1. Anne Sullivan – Teacher of Helen Keller

Why she matters: Sullivan’s unshakable belief in Helen’s potential shows the power of persistence, adaptive teaching, and emotional intelligence.

Leadership lesson: Believe in others, even when they can’t yet believe in themselves.

2. Jaime Escalante – Math Teacher, ‘Stand and Deliver‘

Why he matters: Taught AP Calculus in a struggling inner-city school, proving that high expectations and dedication can change lives.

Leadership lesson: Set the bar high and show people they can reach it.

3. Erin Gruwell – English Teacher, “Freedom Writers”

  • Why she matters: Helped under-served students find their voices through journaling and literature.
  • Leadership lesson: Create a safe culture for expression and transformation.

4. Maria Montessori – Founder of the Montessori Method

Why she matters: Revolutionized education by emphasizing self-directed learning, observation, and individual strengths.

Leadership lesson: Foster autonomy and trust people to grow when given the right environment.

5. Mr. Keating – Fictional Teacher, “Dead Poets Society”

Why he matters: Though fictional, Mr. Keating represents the kind of leader who challenges others to think differently, embrace risk, and “seize the day.”

Leadership lesson: Inspire people to think for themselves and lead with courage.

Which iconic teacher has made a lasting impression on you as a leader? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

What’s The Perfect Door Prize? 21 Gift Ideas for Networking Events That Shine

Show up. Let yourself be seen. ~Brene Brown

What’s a networking event without door prizes? Boring (smile). So, event organizers encourage gifts. They are a simple yet powerful way to boost engagement, excitement, and attendance at networking events. They create a sense of the anticipation and fun, making the event more memorable for participants. Door prizes also encourage people to arrive on time, stay longer, and interact more freely with others. Besides entertainment, they offer a subtle marketing opportunity for sponsors, hosts, or businesses to showcase their products or services in a positive light.

The PSL Business Club asked the question: “What is the Perfect door prize to give away at networking events?” Members chimed in. Some suggested giving what you would like to receive. Others suggested giving away high-end gifts that will make you the talk of the event. Gift these over several periods and you’re sure to leave a lasting memory. Here I share key gift ideas extracted as members chimed in.

Gifts That Shine

  1. Wellness bundle energy drinks
  2. Journal, fun pen, small devotional or motivational card set
  3. Cute mugs which says “let’s connect over coffee”
  4. Pair a small gift care ($10-$15) with a handwritten note or business card enclosing a product sample
  5. Branded item that’s actually helpful
  6. Gift cards to local restaurants.
  7. Something useful like Coffee gift cards
  8. Wine or Vodka
  9. Dark chocolate and a gift card or voucher to try branded services
  10. Cool shirt
  11. Stanley or Yeti cup
  12. Gift baskets
  13. Branded swag bundle from the host company
  14. Branded items or one/two from local businesses or gift certificates
  15. Candy
  16. Homemade cookies
  17. Hand-painted items
  18. Chocolates from a chocolatier
  19. Beach accessories
  20. Fun items that’s non-business related
  21. Dot card… to make sharing information easier at networking event

High-End Gifts

Higher end gifts creates a lasting memory of your brand. Such gifts are:

  • Massage or Spa packages
  • Weekend getaway at hotel
  • Dinner for two at a high-end/classy restaurant
  • Tickets to a concert/play

There you have it! Here’s hoping it takes the guess work out of your gift giving when attending your next event.

The Pain of Not Embracing Coaching

Innovation Distinguishes. A group of cross-cultural leaders gathered together to discuss the Cultural Undervaluing of Professional Coaching. Education is a crucial pillar of development, but it is not the full structure. Professional coaching, especially in career planning, mindset growth, and personal branding, is often seen as optional, extravagant, or even unnecessary.

Chris, Maxine, and I, focused on The Pain of Not Embracing Coaching. It has many effects. Here are a few:

Underdeveloped Potential

Talented individuals stay stuck in survival mode. They fail to unlock their genius because no one helps them think strategically about their growth.

Career Plateau

Professionals with great resumes stall out due to poor networking, weak positioning, or self-limiting beliefs.

Global Irrelevance

In our rapidly changing world where soft skills, emotional intelligence, and AI adaptability are premium assets, people fall behind.

Silent Suffering

Many carry silent frustrations; “I’m better than this, but I don’t know how to rise.” Coaching could be the very bridge out of that quiet despair.

Join the conversation. Let’s hear your thoughts.
Rather a private chat? Chat me now.

The Story Behind Success Strategies (And What’s Coming Next …

I love to write! It’s a passion that began during my primary education years. I reflect on those early years. Back then, my uncle (an educator and school principal), would gift me with a book on birthdays and Christmas holidays. This was his custom instead of the usual and more preferential ‘toys’. Though disappointed then, I would dive into the books reading for hours.

As life progressed and blogging became a thing, I created my first blog A Moment With Shells in 2010. Later, on completion on my postgraduate education, I formalized this blog titled Successful Leaders to share my passion. It focused on empowering developing leaders through personal growth, leadership development, and success strategies.

That was a over a decade ago. Funny how time flies when you’re having fun!

Here’s an overview of my efforts to create articles, writings, or gleanings. The idea was to uplift, encourage subscribers and visitors under the headings listed.

Goal Setting & Achievement

The blog emphasizes the importance of setting clear, actionable goals. It encourages readers to commit to their objectives, keep them visible, and seek accountability to stay on track. Inspirational quotes from figures like Jim Rohn and Tony Robbins are used to motivate readers to design their own life plans and persist in their pursuits.

Discovering Purpose & Passion

Articles guide readers in uncovering their life purpose by reflecting on personal experiences, childhood interests, and unique talents. Techniques such as visualization, journaling, and seeking feedback from friends are recommended to help individuals find fulfillment and direction.

Stress Management & Work Life Balance

The website offers strategies for managing stress and achieving a healthy work-life balance. It highlights the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, seeking professional support, and engaging in activities that promote mental well-being.

Embracing Change & Personal Growth

Recognizing when it’s time for change is a recurring theme. Writings discuss signs that indicate the need for a new direction and encourages readers to take proactive steps toward personal development. It also emphasizes the courage required to make significant life changes.

Writing, Publishing & Legacy Building

For aspiring authors, the site provides insights into the publishing process, including self-publishing and audiobook production. It also encourages writers to reflect on their life experiences and consider the legacy they wish to leave through their work.

Overall, Successful Leaders serves as a resource for individuals seeking inspiration and practical advice on personal development, leadership, career change and achieving success in various aspects of life.

Subscribe Now! Get on Board

Subscribe to keep updated on upcoming new and exciting developments. Have you been a follower? If so, how long and how have you benefited? Do share, we would love to hear!

Cheers!

Top 12 Places to Donate Your Books

With so many books to choose from, you’ll have the hard part of deciding which one to donate.

On Instagram I shared the hard task of purging my books. I have a million with little or no storage space. But what happened was…. During my purge, I ended up reading and re-claiming books.

I decided to share my work (purge in process), and an interested person asked, “where can you donate books?” I responded briefly but decided to post more here on the blog.

Popular and Unique Places to Donate Books

Local Donation Options

  1. Public Libraries
    • Many libraries accept gently used books for their collections or book sales.
    • Call ahead—they often have specific donation days or guidelines.
  2. Schools & Colleges
    • Especially helpful for children’s books, young adult novels, and textbooks.
    • Contact local principals, librarians, or teachers to ask if they need donations.
  3. Community Centers / YMCA / Local Clubs
    • Often accept books for literacy programs, tutoring, or community libraries.
  4. Hospitals & Nursing Homes
    • They may accept clean, gently used books for waiting rooms or patient use.
  5. Churches / Faith-Based Organizations
    • Great place to donate devotionals, spiritual books, or children’s materials.

Charitable Organizations

  1. Goodwill or Salvation Army
    • Accepts a wide range of books. Proceeds support their employment programs.
  2. Habitat for Humanity ReStores
    • Some locations take books to sell in support of housing projects.
  3. Books for Africa / Books Through Bars / Better World Books
    • Organizations that distribute books to under-served communities locally or globally.
  4. Little Free Library

Online / Specialized Options

  1. Freecycle.org / Buy Nothing Groups (Facebook)
    • Offer books locally for free and connect with those who want them.
  2. Local Prison Programs
    • Many prisons accept paperback books only. Check with local chaplains or nonprofits.
  3. Book Drives / Literacy Nonprofits
    • Check with local literacy organizations or Rotary Clubs—they may be running book drives.

Just Stuff …

S T U F F

Stuff. Just stuff. Oh how we accumulate stuff. Meryl Streete in the movie “The Devil Wears Prada“, went on a tirade lecturing fellow actress Anne Hathaway when she snickered that the colors were the same. Naturally they weren’t.

As I reflected, I met a woman who per chance argued that we spend so much time in our lives acquiring ‘stuff’. I smiled.

As life transitions, we even pay for the stuff that we accumulate and don’t have room for. Whether it’s downsizing, relocating elsewhere with less space, we end up storing more and more of our ‘stuff’. Storage spaces make thousands of dollars annually storing our stuff while increasing costs intermittently through the year. We complain, object but still grudgingly pay because our stuff is important to us.

Goodwill, the Salvation Army and other places exist for us to give away our stuff. Our precious stuff. Is there an end in sight? Why not create a journal with ideas on how to really downsize. Then use bags to purge, donate or keep.

What are your thoughts on accumulating things, then paying to store them. Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Vibrant Perspective

Crowded Airport when a woman exclaimed “I love your colors”. Adorned in summer colors, I replied crazy, right? Ahhh vibrancy she chirped. Vibrancy.

I leaned over and whispered back with a smile “vibrancy” and walked on.

I thought of that interface with a complete stranger. Such simple passerby exchange yet amicable. It left me thinking about perspective. It’s late evening and I’m taking the last flight out. I Only wanted to take a carryon to my out of state meeting so I placed the hot yellow necklace around my neck. Added the orange shoes with a red pants. But I’m known for that. I do things others are afraid to do, all with a purpose… my purpose to take one bag (smile)

How about you? Do you do things that perturb others leaving them wondering… could that be me? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Photo by Rachel Claire on Pexels.com

What Are You Doing With The Rest of Your Life?

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

Are you content with simply sitting on the sidelines and shaking your head, wringing your hands, because you know that this world could be a better one. ~Dr. Delores Smiley

What if you are no longer in the midst of corporate America because you have earned the opportunity to retire from the 9:00 to 5:00 daily work routine and you are still adjusting to time on hand?

What if you have discovered that you now have the time to pull out and work on those projects that you wanted to develop but just could never quite eek out that extra time to devote to them?

What if you are no longer needed to babysit the grandkids because along the way they have become adults and are busy with their own lives?

What if you have lost your companion and you are still making the adjustment of life without that special someone that completed your being for so many years?

What if you are not so settled that you have become complacent about the world that’s spinning around you?

What if you want to still make a contribution of service in whatever form but just don’t know how to go about doing that?

What if you could affect a positive change to make the tomorrows for society more pleasant, peaceful, and loveable?

Are you content with simply sitting on the sidelines and shaking your head, wringing your hands, because you know that this world could be a better one?

Are you concerned about the legacy that you are leaving to your family, to your community, to your world?

Are you afraid of the unknown or will you be a brave soul to believe and act on the fact that you have what it takes to make change?

I believe that you are out there and you would like nothing better than to discuss and develop a world that addresses hate, lack of leadership, the activation of moral and ethical behavior and saying to the world—we can be better.

This platform is a perfect way to get this started. I am willing to hear you, to grow with you and to look for that better tomorrow—together. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Written by Dr. Delores Smiley

Subscribe to her channel on substack

Life Or Lipstick?

You are just one decision from a totally different life. ~Wilfred A. Peterson

Life or lipstick? Silly question. I was driving when I looked in the mirror and saw ‘dry lips’. If you know me well, I don’t like to go anywhere without my lipstick or some color on my lips.

Immediately I began rummaging in my handbag. One hand on the steering wheel and the other attempting to do a deep dive (women’s handbag).

Suddenly I realized my foolery and said to myself life or lipstick? That immediately put things in perspective.

Haven’t we all made some decisions that when we look back at the short term benefits did not make any sense?

Sometimes you make the right decision. Sometimes you make the decision, right. ~ Phillip C. McGraw

Life Choices

  • Why would I choose lipstick over my life?
  • Why would you quit a job without having another source of income?
  • Why would you stay in a relationship that’s harmful? After all you’re not even married?
  • Why would you start a business without a plan? Without capital?
  • Why would your health not be considered during food consumption

We could go on and on. Let’s choose to be wise about the decisions we make and their effect on life.

The quality of your life is built on the quality of your decisions

Have an important decision to make? Think it over closely. Weigh the pros and cons. Talk it over with a confidante or leadership coach.

Cheers!

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