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Okay sis, let’s chat about a little book called "The 48 Laws of Power." Now, if you’ve heard of it, you might know it’s a heavy book with some *serious* strategies. But here’s the thing: as a leader, especially as Black women stepping up in the workplace, sometimes we need to use these strategies to hold our own and make moves with purpose. So, let me break down a couple of these “laws” in a way that’s easy and practical1.Law 1: Never Outshine the MasterThis one is simple but big: don’t make the boss feel insecure. Imagine you’re new to a team, and you come in with all this energy, fresh ideas, and even a plan. But, if you make your boss feel small or unneeded, they might shut you down. Instead, work alongside them, lift them up, and make them feel like you’re there to support, not replace. Sometimes you have to play it cool while you work on your goals.&nbsp;2. Law 15: Crush Your Enemy TotallyNow, this one sounds intense, right? But it’s more about knowing when to put your foot down. Let’s say there’s a situation where you’ve set boundaries, and someone keeps crossing them. They’re spreading rumors, undermining your work, or trying to make you look bad. This law is telling us not to let folks disrespect us over and over. Address it fully, and don’t let it slide, because letting small things slide can lead to bigger problems.3. Law 28: Enter Action with BoldnessThis law is about going for it. Have you ever seen someone step into a room, and they just look confident? That’s what this is about. When you’re leading a project, taking on a new role, or making a decision, be bold! Bold doesn’t mean you have to be loud, but it does mean you step up with confidence. People notice when you’re sure of yourself, and it sets the tone for how they’ll treat you.4. Law 43: Work on the Hearts and Minds of OthersHere’s one of my favorites! In leadership, it’s not just about the work; it’s about the people. Get to know your team, make them feel seen, and understand what they need to thrive. Think about it like this: when you show you care, people are more likely to have your back when things get tough. And that’s power, too. Building those genuine connections goes a long way.The 48 Laws of Power I know can sound intense, but these laws are really about moving with purpose, protecting your peace, and staying sharp. Try weaving these into your everyday work life—you might be surprised at how it strengthens your leadership!Follow me for more insights on leading with power and purpose, our way.&nbsp;

Lessons from The 48 Laws of Power Every Leader Needs

International workers group and team leader having teamwork discussion managing project at work in meeting room.

So, let me tell y’all about this funny little moment I had at work this week. I was chatting with Mr. Joe, the guy who handles all the janitorial stuff at our store. He’s one of those folks you can’t help but speak to every morning, and being a "Good Morning" person myself (thanks to my southern roots), we’ve had a little routine going. The other day, he started telling me about how he and one of our younger coworkers, JD—who’s Gen Z by the way—have been exchanging words to help each other understand each other better. Now, Mr. Joe is a full-fledged Baby Boomer, pushing 80, and he’s always mispronouncing JD’s name, so for now, we'll just call him JD. I’m intrigued, right? So, I ask Mr. Joe to explain what he means by “exchanging words,” and he tells me about how JD taught him the meaning of “cap.” He said, “JD told me cap means ‘lie,’ and you know what? Back in my day, cap meant something real different! It was all about ‘putting a cap in your…’ well, you know the rest!” I couldn’t help but laugh! Here’s Mr. Joe, nearly 80 years old, and still open to learning. That’s impressive, especially because most people his age aren’t too interested in picking up new slang, let alone from a Gen Z coworker. But that’s where things get interesting, right? It got me thinking about how this same concept plays out in corporate America, with older generations transitioning into consulting roles and mentoring Millennials. The wealth of knowledge and experience Baby Boomers bring can’t be denied, and their wisdom is priceless. At the same time, Millennials like myself are stepping up, not only to learn from those who came before us but also to teach and coach the next generation—Gen Z. We’re all in this huge knowledge exchange, where everyone has something to bring to the table. Millennials are that bridge between the old school and the new wave, and honestly, it’s beautiful to see how we can all learn from each other. So, whether you’re mentoring someone or being mentored, there’s so much value in these cross-generational exchanges. If you're looking for ways to communicate better across generations, follow me on social media because I’ve got something coming soon that’s gonna help you level up your conversations and make sure you’re always on the same page, no matter who’s in the room! Stay tuned!

Cap? No Cap! How Generations Teach Each Other More Than Just Words

Embracing AI: Don’t Let the Future Take the Lead Without YouSis, AI is taking over conversations everywhere! From apps that organize your calendar to tools that track every detail in your business, it’s clear that the future is now. As a new leader or CEO, it can feel overwhelming, but let me tell you—AI can be a game-changer if you use it right.AI can make your life easier by taking over those little tasks that take up your time, like scheduling meetings or analyzing reports. But here's the thing—it’ll never replace the magic that *you* bring to your team. It can’t connect with people on a personal level, show compassion, or motivate someone with a pep talk that comes straight from the heart.So, while we use these tools to stay ahead of the curve, remember to keep yourself at the center of it all. You’re still the leader, the visionary, and the one with the emotional intelligence to guide your team through challenges.My advice? Stay curious. Learn about the latest AI tools that can support your business. But never let it take away your human touch—that’s your secret sauce! AI may be powerful, but it’ll never have what *you* bring to the table: empathy, intuition, and the ability to inspire.Sis, you got this. Keep pushing forward, stay open to change, but always keep your humanity in the driver's seat. The future is bright, and it’s yours for the taking! 🖤

Embracing AI: Don’t Let the Future Take the Lead Without You

Since I am a leadership coach I wanted to chat chat about something real important today—feedback! As a first-time leader, you’re going to hear all kinds of feedback about your work and your team. Some of it will be helpful, some of it... not so much. So how do you know what’s helpful and what’s just bringing you down? Let’s break it down!What is Destructive Feedback? Destructive feedback is the kind that just makes you feel bad. It’s mean, unkind, and doesn’t give you any way to get better. It’s like hitting a pothole on your road trip—jarring and not helpful at all! If someone says, “You’re just not good enough for this job,” that’s destructive feedback. It doesn’t tell you how to improve; it’s just hurtful.What is Constructive Feedback? Constructive feedback, on the other hand, is meant to help you grow and get better. It’s like having a GPS reroute you when there’s traffic ahead—it keeps you moving forward! Constructive feedback sounds like this: “You did a great job, but next time try speaking a little slower.” It’s specific, helpful, and doesn’t tear you down. You leave feeling like you can improve, not defeated.How to Tell the Difference: Check the Tone: If the feedback feels harsh or angry, it’s probably destructive. If it’s calm and kind, that’s constructive. Look for Details: Constructive feedback gives you specific ways to improve. Destructive feedback? It’s usually vague and just makes you feel bad without telling you how to fix things. Is It About Growth?: Constructive feedback helps you grow. It’s meant to build you up and make you better. Destructive feedback? It’s all about tearing you down.What Should You Do? As a first-time leader, remember that not all feedback is helpful! When you get feedback, ask yourself: Is this helping me grow, or is it just making me feel bad? If it’s destructive, let it go. And if it’s constructive, take it and run with it—you’ve got this!Keep pushing forward, Roadtrippers! 🌟 You’re on the right path! 🖤✌🏾

How to Spot the Difference Between Haters and Helpers as a New Leader

So, I missed the blog last week because I was at Woman Evolve, and I thought I could write something quick while I was there. Well, I was wrong! I should’ve known from last year that I’d be emotionally drained and nowhere near ready to blog. But here we are.For those who don’t know, Woman Evolve is a movement led by Sarah Jakes Roberts (aka SJR), where thousands of women come together every year. This year's theme was Surrender. Now, when you look up “surrender,” it’s all about stopping resistance and submitting to authority. That had me thinking about what I need to surrender, and I thought, "Oh, easy—my finances." But let me tell you, my finances have been my security blanket. I’d finally reached a place where I was comfortable, making enough to not just survive, but thrive.As the conference went on, every speaker touched on surrender in some way. Then we got to Dr. Anita Phillips, and let me tell you, she always tugs at my heart. She talked about Mother Wounds. At one point, she had us pair up and stand back-to-back with the woman next to us. For me, that was my mom. We leaned into each other, symbolizing trust, support, and that it was safe to let my walls down.See, there was a time when I chose privacy over leaning into my mom. I’ve been through things—abuse, heartbreak, tough choices—and I dealt with them alone because I didn’t feel like I could lean on her. Dr. Anita explained how privacy can be a mother wound: some of us were told to leave the door open, and others were never checked on. I was in that second group.My finances became my safety net, my moma, because they never let me down. If I needed something, my money handled it. I’d even take payday loans or use that Wells Fargo advance feature, knowing my next check was coming. Money gave me the privacy I craved.But in that moment at Woman Evolve, leaning into my mom, I realized that wall of trust could be rebuilt. Finances were my mom’s safety net too, and when she didn’t have it, she’d tell me she did, only for me to figure it out on my own. Just like with my business—I had no clue what my next steps were outside of God telling me to quit my job and start this journey. Now, there are moments when I need my mom, and for the first time in a long time, she’s been able to show up.So at the end of the day I discovered I wasn’t just surrendering my finances—I was surrendering stability for obedience. And honestly? I’m okay with that. I discovered out of this whole experience is sometimes what we hold onto the tightest is exactly what we need to let go of. And if you’re ready to lean into your next step, sis, you got this.

Surrendering More Than Just My Finances

Black woman, leadership and meeting for business idea, planning or strategy at the office. African American female leader in management for conference talk, proposal or discussion at the workplace

Now, I’m not big on moon phases or energy shifts, but there was definitely something in the air that day. I work part-time at a certain store that everybody loves. You know the one. Well, I witnessed something that had me shaking my head—a man, who fits the mold of the majority of folks in leadership, being downright disrespectful to one of my co-workers. And all over a bottle of water!See, in customer service, there’s this old-school mindset that "the customer is always right." But let's be real, sometimes it's more like the entitlement is always right. This guy was shorted a few cents in change and went from 0 to 100 real quick. Now, I’ve always told my team, when someone reacts that strongly, it’s usually not even about the situation. It’s more about them and whatever they’re going through.But let me tell you, this man took it too far. He started calling my co-worker all kinds of names—including the b-word—so many times I lost count. My co-worker, trying her best to hold it together, ended up in tears. I could see she wanted to "let it rip" right back at him, but she kept it together. And you know what? This time, leadership stepped up and did the right thing. They banned him from the store.Too often, leaders just want to de-escalate and move on, but sometimes, you’ve got to take a stand. Not every situation can be resolved with a smile and silence. So, when a customer is straight-up disrespectful and abusive, like this guy was, it’s time to draw the line. Or as a Gen Z queen might say, "Not today, Satan!"It felt good to see leadership protect her. In today’s world, especially as women, we’re often left unprotected. But not this time. And that’s what true leadership looks like. Because sometimes the best customer service is to make sure you are protecting and standing up for your team!Because, “You can’t control someone’s actions, but you can always control how you respond.”&nbsp;

Blog

Lessons from The 48 Laws of Power Every Leader Needs

Cap? No Cap! How Generations Teach Each Other More Than J...

Embracing AI: Don’t Let the Future Take the Lead Without You

How to Spot the Difference Between Haters and Helpers as ...

Surrendering More Than Just My Finances

Oh No He Didn't