Most first 90 days advice assumes a functional organization. I inherited falsified records and mass turnover. Here is what I actually did versus what the playbooks say.
Most people who think they are leading are actually managing. The distinction shows up in retention and culture before it shows up in revenue.
I ran roofing companies for over a decade. Here is what homeowners should check before signing with any contractor, from someone who knows the inside of the business.
In a downturn, talent alone does not save companies. Resilient leadership does. Practical strategies for leading teams through uncertainty and coming out stronger.
Each growth stage demands a different kind of leader. The mindset shifts from startup founder to $35M operator to corporate executive.
A productive one on one takes 20 minutes and a simple structure: employee update, blockers, your input, what’s next. The employee talks more than you do.
I grew Penebaker Enterprises from $1.5M to $15M in nine years with 50 employees. These are the leadership lessons I learned the hard way on commercial rooftops, not in a boardroom.
The skilled trades shortage isn’t a labor problem. It’s a leadership problem. The construction industry loses workers because of poor management, no career paths, and disposable culture.
I have watched people spend four years and six figures on a degree they never use while electricians and plumbers half their age were buying houses. The skilled trades are not a fallback. They are a legitimate, high-paying career path that more people should consider.
Five years ago, I told the world I was stepping away from advocacy to deal with my mother’s suicide. I was scared of a life without the spotlight. Here’s that post, unedited, and what I see when I read it now.
I tracked every callback for two years. The average cost was $3,200. The shortcut that caused it saved $200 to $800. The math never works in favor of cutting corners.
Firing someone is one of the hardest things a leader does. The key is doing it honestly, quickly, and with dignity. You don’t get to feel good about it.