As small business owners we move fast, change course and shift gears daily. Operating a small business demands that we have the ability to be flexible and change as needed. What about our employees? How flexible do they need to be? How informed? How engaged in the success of the business? How do we know they are aligned with us and the business vision?

Accountability is a buzzword in the business world right now. Unfortunately, most of us have negative understanding of the word. We often use the word as if it means blame and punishment. Therefore, we attempt to avoid it. The truth is that accountability is unavoidable. In the workplace, intrinsically everyone is accountable to someone. We are accountable to our peers, managers, customers and ownership. We are also accountable to our industry.

I have great admiration for small business owners. I love their entrepreneurial spirit, pioneering attitude, perseverance and strength. I am lucky enough to work with them daily as their business coach.

I have great admiration for small business owners. I love their entrepreneurial spirit, pioneering attitude, perseverance and strength. I am lucky enough to work with them daily as their business coach.

As a business coach on occasion I find it helpful to remind my clients to lighten up. I’ll say something like “It’s a game; this won’t matter on your death bed.” As business owners it can be tempting to lose ourselves in the issue of the day, week or month. We forget that it is not a life or death situation. Okay, we could be on the verge of losing our business or maybe a really big account but these are the moments that perspective may be our most powerful edge. Remembering that business is a game could give you the mental and emotional acuity needed to get you through the rough patches we all experience.

So what is real power, what is the nature of power? How do we access power? When do we feel powerless? Is there a difference between real power and conventional power? Dwelling in these questions has in and of itself affected my life. When I ask these questions, I am filled with insights into my own internal and external motivations. It is my intention to share these insights here and to leave you knowing that you already have all that it takes to be authentically powerful!

So what’s all this buzz about passion? Do we really have to have a passion for our work? There seems to be so many books written on finding your passion. Sure, when you work in an area that you are passionate about, the work seems easier and more fun and you are of course much more likely to be successful. Is that all there is to it? We just have to find work we are passionate about?

Most business owners are great at doing something. Maybe you can create great graphic designs or cook well or maybe you have an eye for art? Somewhere along the way, you have taken what you are great at and turned it into a business.

“Creativity can solve almost any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality overcomes everything.” George Lois

“Creativity can solve almost any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality overcomes everything.” George Lois

Crisis is often an entry point; an opportunity to get real, tell the truth about our selves and our business. Definition of Crisis -The moment in which we know without a doubt that if we don’t make changes with ourselves and in our business we will lose.

Crisis is often an entry point; an opportunity to get real, tell the truth about our selves and our business. Definition of Crisis -The moment in which we know without a doubt that if we don’t make changes with ourselves and in our business we will lose.

Businesses fail, and often. If you think you want to run your own business, but are not sure you can be a successful Entrepreneur, I am glad you are thinking about it… keep reading.

Businesses fail, and often. If you think you want to run your own business, but are not sure you can be a successful Entrepreneur, I am glad you are thinking about it… keep reading.

Ken looked puzzled when he asked ”why are you crying?” I had not even noticed that my eyes had pooled with tears and one was slowly making its way down my cheek. He and I had just spent a day practicing, designing and training for his new workshop. I have been coaching Ken by phone for months while he worked through all the details and normal self-doubt around his new business “Dig your work”. Here he was standing there inspired, full of confidence, in touch with his ability to profoundly change people’s lives and grinning from ear to ear.” Because this is why I do what I do” I shared.

I believe that people are so much bigger than their self-limiting beliefs, fears and problems. We are capable of far more than we can ever imagine on our own. Coaching stretches us and reminds us that something amazing is possible here. Something more can happen here. We have choices with this or that.