Observing others navigate, mitigate, and sometimes avoid risks has made me reflect on my own relationship with risk. Decisions, whether to jump in or step back, have never come easily to me. Typically, I meticulously weigh the pros and cons before making significant choices. I’ve often envied those who boldly throw caution to the wind, take chances, and find success. My internal dialogue usually follows with, “If only I could do that.” For many of us, fear becomes a powerful force, either keeping us safe or holding us back. Last year, during a visit to Ireland, I grasped the symbolism behind ..read more

How do I have those harder conversations? That is the number one request from leaders and managers. In leadership and management, engaging in challenging conversations is often cited as the pivotal skill for enhancing one’s presence, communication, and influence. This capability determines not only the leader’s success but also the success of their organization. Yet, despite many tools and strategies promising to ease this essential task, a fundamental component frequently remains overlooked—the leader’s readiness and ability to effectively utilize the tools provided. Drawing upon a familiar m ..read more

In an age where artificial intelligence continues to reshape our landscape, the demand for leaders who are emotionally attuned and empathetic has never been more pressing. It’s a call for those at the helm to not only understand their emotions but also to create a culture that does not shy away from the healthy expression of feelings. But this emotional expression demands a shift in the culture of organizations hand in hand with a shift for the coaches supporting the leadership as well. There’s a lot of talk about emotional intelligence and expression, and yet when you get down to it, there is ..read more

Modern corporate dynamics demand that we shed rigid ideas of leadership. It’s no longer about maintaining a fixed position; it’s about reading the room, understanding the team’s needs, and adjusting your role accordingly. We are all multifaceted and have more flexibility than we may tap into. Leadership can be a bit “messy” in this world of shifting roles, and it’s what’s necessary for relationship, team, and business success. The Key to Success: Adaptable Leadership Is Adapting to Shifting Demands The team analogies that many of us were raised with can undermine our corporate success. Most of ..read more

In the fast-paced world of business, the ability to deliver compelling presentations is non-negotiable. Whether you’re pitching a groundbreaking idea, onboarding new team members, or engaging with a critical audience, mastering the art of effective presentation is a must. You know this. And our very own Hilary Blair recently sat down with fellow presentation coach Trevor Lee, for a conversation filled with communication and presentation tips. Hilary shares techniques to that support the nuances of successful business communication, the keys to building trust and rapport, and the transformative ..read more

Judgment-free sounds good. And that’s precisely why it’s a dangerous phrase. A call for a judgment-free zone challenges one of our inherent human, and leadership skills, and tendencies – to assess. In fact, every choice we make requires, at its core, a judgment. While “judgment-free” might sound like a plea to refrain from critiquing others’ perspectives, it actually asks us to turn off an essential function of who we are as human beings. It asks us to suspend forming any opinions of our own. Contact Articulate: Real & Clear today. The impact of this is that we may stop seeing or connectin ..read more

Public speaking can bring up many of our fears and vulnerabilities. Need to learn business communication tools? Contact us today. Rather than giving up or “powering through”, let’s find ways to build connection and relationship. Hilary Blair chats with Rich Bontrager from How to Rock the Stage Media about how we can find freedom from the fear of being too vulnerable.   Listen to their conversation here.   And keep in mind these 4 communication strategies for the next time you sense yourself putting up a wall because you’re afraid of being too vulnerable.   ..read more

As an executive coach, I work with clients discussing their role in taking ownership and accountability of their teams, their team’s mistakes, and their own leadership mistakes. They support their teams by owning the work and being accountable for the quality, timelines, and the finished product. But what happens when the work doesn’t finish on time, isn’t quality, or goes beyond the scope of work? What happens when this is repeated and becomes frustrating? Often, you have conversations and share aspirations. Often, the emotion of the moment doesn’t leave us. It remains in our memory and in ou ..read more

We each have a unique voice, and we should use it any way we want. However, it’s essential to know enough about our instrument to make a conscious decision about how we use it. One trend in vocal styles is the vocal fry, which has been controversial throughout the years. Many people argue that it harms our vocal cords, and if not, it can impact our professional reputation and how others perceive us. Contact Us Firstly, it’s important to note that there is nothing inherently damaging about speaking in the fry; however, how we use our voices can influence people’s opinions about us. Unfortunatel ..read more

A new year is perhaps only a turn of the calendar, yet for many of us, it’s a call to commit more fully to ourselves. Whatever your resolution – to change, to grow, to eschew the act of making resolutions. Whether you call them new commitments, intentions, maybe renewed promises, or revised goals for: Business Success & Leadership Success Personal Growth Peace and Happiness If you’ve made any commitment to your personal success, professional success, or leadership success in 2023, consider an essential truth: Success needs Presence, and Presence needs Breath. Contact Us today to learn mo ..read more