Developing others is often depicted as guiding someone through a smooth, well-paved road to success. But for the damaged leader, the journey is far from a flawless highway. It’s more like navigating a well-worn vehicle down a rugged, winding road full of potholes, detours, and unexpected breakdowns. As leaders, we’ve been behind the wheel when the engine sputtered, seen warning lights flicker, and had to steer through rough terrain using nothing but grit and a little bit of h

Working at Minus 5 Ice Bar in Las Vegas taught me an unexpected lesson about leadership and pain. Picture this: I'm handling crystal-clear blocks of ice, crafting experiences for guests in a venue where everything – from the walls to the glasses – is made of ice. Then it happens. A tiny shard of ice, no bigger than an eyelash, finds its way under my skin. The initial shock is sharp and intense. My hand reflexively recoils, and for a moment, all I can focus on is this minuscul

Last week was one I used to look forward to every year: our annual summit. Coming together as a sales leadership team, spending coveted...

It might seem strange at first—comparing leadership to a “silly old bear” with a penchant for honey and simple-minded wisdom. But if you really think about it, Winnie the Pooh, with his unassuming charm, embodies the essence of what it means to be a damaged leader. His imperfections, his moments of uncertainty, his deep reliance on those around him—these are not weaknesses. They are what make him an exceptional leader. As damaged leaders, we often find ourselves learning from