Kelly Holding

Is confidence a decision? “You’re more confident in the space you take up.” A friend said that to me recently, and I laughed a little. Mostly because I hadn’t really noticed. But the more I sat with it, the more I realized… she’s right. And not because I suddenly know more or have everything figured … Read more

Burnout is having a moment right now. And it’s not just one thing. Oh, how times have changed. From the Regency era, and Bridgerton, to now where things move at lightning speed and nothing really… ends. Today’s email is about grit and burnout, which aren’t always mutually exclusive. LEADERSHIP Burnout is having a moment right … Read more

We ask for recommendations all the time. But what people are really vouching for… is your reputation. One of my favorite things to do is eat good food. I love trying new places (except fish… we’re just not compatible), and I love a great restaurant recommendation. It’s like a stamp of approval. And how often … Read more

But, “How do I help someone else create a plan when I’m not even fully sure what mine is…or how to get there?” The term spring cleaning didn’t start as a cute seasonal trend. It started because people didn’t have a choice. After a long winter of fireplaces, closed-up houses, and stale air, everything felt … Read more

If time really does fly, then what do I actually want to fill it with? Over the weekend, I turned 40. And like clockwork, people asked, “How do you feel about it?” If I’m honest, there’s a small part of me that’s a little sad I can no longer say I’m “young.” But if staying … Read more

Over time, teams recalibrate what is normal. Pouring coffee at a tiny café in small-town Iowa teaches you a lot.How people take their coffee. How long they’ll stand and chat. And how often fruit becomes a personality or life assessment. “Well, that one’s a bad apple.” “Apples don’t fall far from the tree.” Some sayings … Read more

Here’s One Thing You Can Do About It. The world feels like it’s moving faster and becoming more divided than it has in a long time. And sometimes it can feel like there isn’t much any one of us can do about it. But I think there is one simple thing we can do. It … Read more

“Our lives are fashioned by our choices. First we make our choices. Then our choices make us.” Life is a series of choices. “Our lives are fashioned by our choices. First we make our choices. Then our choices make us.”— Anne Frank Whether you are the CEO of McDonald’s or a stay-at-home mom, this week … Read more

The groundhog is always wrong. Six more weeks of winter? No thanks.I’m ready for new weather. More sun. A new season. And seasons, whether in weather, life, or leadership, change more than we think. Leadership In my keynotes, I often ask the audience a simple question:“If I gave you $10,000 to go on a cruise, … Read more

Two things that might not seem related at first glance:Having difficult conversations with a team member…And the secret to not getting old. Stay with me. Both require something most leader’s underestimate: a repeatable and steady approach. Leadership What’s the key to handling and staying steady in difficult conversations? Difficult conversations are part of the job. … Read more