Professional

Creativity isn’t just for artists and designers—it’s a critical leadership skill. In today’s fast-paced world, leaders who embrace creativity can drive innovation, solve complex problems, and inspire their teams. But let’s be honest: many leaders struggle to tap into creativity amid daily pressures, decision fatigue, and the need for quick results. The good news? Creativity isn’t an innate talent reserved for a select few; it’s a muscle that can be strengthened with intentio

February is Heart Month—a reminder that heart health is about far more than diet and exercise. It’s deeply connected to stress, burnout, and the changes we experience in midlife. ❤️ Does this sound familiar? We wake up already thinking about the day ahead. Meetings, deadlines, emails, and the quiet pressure to perform. Coffee in hand, we move through the morning on autopilot, telling ourselves, For many professionals in midlife, burnout doesn’t announce itself loudly. It rar

When Jacque Hollingshead stepped into her role as Intensive Care Unit Nurse Manager at Mary Greeley Medical Center, she knew she wanted to lead differently. With a background in nursing, a passion for learning, and Coaching certifications from ATD and ithrive31, she brought a fresh mindset to a high-pressure environment. Rather than relying on authority, Jacque embraced the Coaching mindset—an approach rooted in curiosity, connection, and shared ownership. In this Q&A, she re

I signed on to coach two new mid-level leaders last week, both facing a familiar challenge: Sound familiar? This isn’t a new phenomenon. In fact, it’s one of the most common developmental themes I see with mid-to-upper-level leaders. As professionals move up in their careers, they increasingly want, and are expected to, operate at a more strategic level. But despite their best intentions, they often get pulled back into daily problem-solving and task execution. Why does this

In today’s workplace, expectations are rising, pressure is mounting, and burnout is everywhere. We're moving so fast from one thing to the next that we often miss the most important moments—the pauses. The intentional moments where we stop to acknowledge others. Where we recognize effort, progress, or just say, “I see you.” A colleague recently shared something that stuck with me. She deeply respected her leader but noticed she rarely gave praise. Not because she didn’t care—

Recently, I revisited an exercise introduced by Dorie Clark —a personal branding expert and author of —that’s as simple as it is powerful. It’s called the “Three-Word Exercise.” Originally described as a shortcut to a 360 review, the exercise invites you to ask a small group of people who know you well, “If you had to describe me in only three words, what would they be?” It may seem basic at first, but as Clark explains, once you’ve gathered responses from six to eight people

I love the camaraderie of coaching. It’s so inspiring to spend time with fellow Coaches—people who lean into personal growth and development. This doesn’t make us perfect, but it does mean we understand the power of personal responsibility—for our relationships, our well-being, and the fulfillment we seek in life. Coaches know that achieving the results we want begins with taking responsibility for our own actions. As we step into 2025, I invite you to reflect on the results

A powerful part of communicating is to let other people know we really listened and care about what they are saying. Below are 3 types of listening along with tips to consider… they may be especially helpful to keep in mind during upcoming holiday gatherings! The first is subjective . Everyday listening is usually subjective, and usually occurs when whatever is said is heard through the experiences of the listener and/or as it relates to the listener, e.g. answering based on

Leadership isn’t just about what you do for others; it’s also about managing your responsibilities. It’s a lot, and you’re not alone in feeling it! Supporting others starts with supporting yourself—but what if the work you are responsible for can’t be delegated? Consider Rachael, juggling an overflowing list of responsibilities that only she could manage, all while supporting a team that needed her guidance. She felt stuck, but she found a way through by taking a few key ste

Have you ever felt like your ideas are constantly overlooked at work? Do you sometimes wonder why your suggestions don't resonate with your team, even though you're confident in their potential? If so, you're not alone. Lily worked as a project manager at a fast-paced marketing firm. She was creative, driven, and always full of ideas, but there was a problem—her coworkers rarely seemed to appreciate her contributions. Whenever she pitched an idea in meetings, it felt like he

At  ithrive31 , we believe that strong relationships are the cornerstone of success. Our business thrives on relationships, but effective communication lies at the heart of these connections. Trusting relationships are built on strong communication practices in professional settings and at home. Why Communication Matters Organizations that invest in improving communication skills see significant returns. Research shows a direct link between effective communication and increas

In today's society, disagreements are increasingly common, extending into the workplace where differing approaches, styles, or opinions are to be expected. How we handle these disagreements significantly impacts our well-being and influences those around us, including coworkers and children. The other day, a client and I were having a conversation about her boss, who was taking credit for a project her team worked on. She was feeling very angry and resentful. She was ready to

I've spent many years in leadership roles and now work as a coach. There’s one fundamental shift that leaders can make to drive significant returns. This skill requires intentional effort and doesn't come naturally to most leaders. This is the art of Asking Questions Why this is important: By asking questions, leaders can help others grow and build capabilities. Organizations value critical thinking, and through questions, leaders can develop this skill in their teams. When e

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes." - Mahatma Gandhi Freedom is a profound concept that transcends the physical boundaries of our world. As a personal development coach, I see freedom not just as the absence of constraints but as the presence of opportunities for growth, self-discovery, and fulfillment. This Independence Day, let’s explore the true essence of freedom and how it can transform our lives. One of the most empowering

Good energy is the cornerstone of a thriving workplace community. It can foster a culture of positivity, collaboration, and mutual support among team members. When individuals bring enthusiasm and kindness to their work, it creates a ripple effect that uplifts the entire team. Good energy also cultivates an environment where people feel valued, respected, and encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work each day. This sense of belonging ultimately fosters trust an

As we head into the busy holiday season, it is very common for jam-packed schedules, last minute to-do’s and family drama to weigh heavy on our mental well-being. But it doesn't — and shouldn't! — have to be this way. We should be able to soak up all the joy, comfort and fellowship this season has to offer. So, to avoid experiencing stress and overwhelming feelings these next few months, now is the time to prepare yourself to end the year well. To help you make more conscio

At its core, human resources is all about helping take care of others. It's ironic, then, that the well-being of HR professionals is often overlooked, leading to many in the field experiencing burnout. Forbes recently defined this term as "general exhaustion and lack of interest or motivation regarding one’s work." HR professionals wear many hats and work on everything from hiring to firing, employee relations and performance and much more. They handle all the situations mo

Gratitude. It’s a simple word with a whole lot of meaning. It’s also something easy to overlook. So, as we head into the final few months of 2023, we want to encourage you to take some time to reflect on your accomplishments and blessings from the first three quarters of the year. Q1-Q3 Reflection Questions: What made you smile? What fills your heart with joy to remember? What did you gain? Think about these questions and the things and people that have filled your cup this

Empowering Change and Discovering New Paths Just being together with some of your closest friends or colleagues can bring about a natural source of energy. But when you need a little something extra to get everyone’s brains and hearts flowing, try some of these tricks. Plan Team-Building Activities Organize fun team-building activities that encourage collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills. Activities like escape rooms, scavenger hunts, or outdoor adventur

We connected with our newest coach, Lauren, to learn more about what inspired her to join the ithrive31 Collective. Dorene: Could you describe your role at ithrive31?  Lauren: I am a coach at ithrive31, and I specialize in helping mid- to upper-level women in engineering/technology fields who want to have an influence in a male-dominated field. I chose this focus because I have a background in engineering, and I know all too well how difficult it is to navigate your day-to-da