Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: TouTouke
It’s May and lots of strange and risky weather is in the air. It’s risk time here at the Business Channel and 13 of us met our editor’s challenge to do something different, because taking calculated risks is the foundation of most success—in or out of business.
For those of you who missed what’s new, here’s a list of risks by us and tips for you from around the channel.

At taxgirl, Kelly offers her best tax advice – to make decisions regardless of the tax consequences.
Mary Emma offers a peek into what it’s like …read more

I feel so foolish. When I took my tour of the B5Media Business Channel on Friday, I left off five of the blogs from that category. I’ll just chalk it up to being a newbie, apologize profusely to those I neglected to include, and do a tour of their sites today. I hope they will forgive me. :(
The first blog I want to cover is Successful Blogger written by Liz Strauss. I should receive forty lashes with a wet noodle for not having this great blog included on Friday.
I didn’t know about Liz’s site until one day a few months …read more

I’ve decided that a good way to end my first week blogging at Leadership Turn is to take you along on my tour of the other blogs in B5Media’s Business Channel. My only challenge is finding just the right tidbit to share with you from each blog, because there is such a wealth of information. But I will give it my best shot:
My first stop was Brendon Connelly’s blog, Slacker Manager. I’ve been a slacker, so I can appreciate the concept, for sure. Brendon has written a very thorough guide to Twitter. I had never heard of …read more

I am pleased to present for your education and reading enjoyment The Carnival of Entrepreneurs that is being held today at Start Up Spark. I was lucky enough to to learn about this carnival in time to participate, but there are 34 other blogs as well, so make sure not to miss the wealth of information you will find there.

I am very excited to announce that I am your new manager of Leadership Turn. My name is Denise Grier. I am a native Texan living in Dallas. I am also a full-time blogger/writer. B5Media has been on my radar for quite some time, and I am thrilled at becoming a part of such a great team. The best part is that I will be able to blog about what really gets my heart pumping; leadership and personal development.

I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do.  That is character!
            —- Theodore Roosevelt
Action Plan:  When did it happen that ethics, and doing the right thing, became negotiable?   When did we start admiring businesses and business leaders who didn’t do the right thing, yet made tons of money?  Has earning lots of money now become the new “doing the right thing?”
This week I urge you to take a look at how your work behavior is consistent (or inconsistent) with ethical principles.   Do you live and …read more

You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.
                                    — Rosalyn Carter
This week’s action plan:  It’s easy to believe in yourself, when everyone around you believes in you as well.  But how often is this the case? 
Sometimes the people around us are looking to poke holes in our theories, subvert our decisions, and undermine authority.  How easy it is then to question our abilities.
Put a system into place today, so that you have the support you will need tomorrow.  Whether it’s a pep talk that you can give yourself, a series of affirmations …read more

The close of a year is always a time for reflection and goal setting.  It’s like the end of a chapter in a book — the story isn’t over, it’s just time to move on to the next adventure.
Like most of my readers, I’ve had a year of some successes:

I’ve become a blogger, writing here at Leadership Turn as well as at Flyaway Cafe (my first foray into this medium) and The Seattle Traveler (all about my beloved home city).
I’ve made new friends, strenghtened existing relationships, and relinquished those relationships that were toxic.
I’ve grown and learned and changed — which …read more

Merry Christmas from Leadership Turn!
–Mary Jo –

The latest Seattle storm raised all sorts of havoc around the area.  Most of us viewed the situation as one to endure, and to get through.  Some people, however, saw the situation as an economic opportunity.
On a street near where I live, a man was selling firewood from his truck while parked off to the side of the road.  I have seen him set up shop here for as long as I’ve lived in the neighborhood, at least 12 years.  I’ve been a regular customer for much of that time.
Usually, I’ll stop by to pick up some firewood, filling up …read more