As we wrap up this season of "Aim Higher," it reminds me of how much "summer" has come to be synonymous with "vacation," even decades after we move beyond school semesters and summer breaks. We think of summer and we think of fun, travel, family, and relaxation. And that's great! But many times we forget to really disconnect and recharge. As leaders, we need to care for ourselves. And that includes a healthy commitment to living and experiencing life outside work. ​In this final, 5-minute mini-episode, I share some thoughts on how we can all get the most out of summer—even if that means taking some time to just do nothing. Thank you for listening this season, and I look forward to seeing you online, in the comments, on social media... and maybe even at the beach!

In this episode, my panel of business experts and I discuss the importance of resilience. Not just for leadership—though we focus most of our time on that aspect—but to each of us within our business and personal lives. Nothing important was ever accomplished without making mistakes, without trial-and-error, without pushing through practice to get to performance. Weathering those storms successfully requires resilience—and it’s a skill that can be learned. Tune in for some great advice about how to do so as part of your leadership journey.

There are so many traits of great leadership that aren’t, in my opinion, optional. Honesty, curiosity, integrity, drive, determination all come to mind. But you can certainly have many different types and styles of leaders who each embody all those characteristics. You can be an extrovert or an introvert. You can focus more on managing relationships or processes. You can favor creativity or analytics. In this episode of “Aim Higher” my expert panel and I discuss how your unique style of leadership can be a big part of your success. Just as long as it’s authentically “you.” Listen in for some great ideas.

In this episode, Dan Rockwell and John David Mann join Skip to discuss their latest book collaboration, “The Vagrant: The Inner Journey of Leadership,” a parable that explores ideas of self and success in an intriguing, compelling way. The book begins with a seemingly simple incident—the main character trips over a homeless man. But this one moment leads to a journey of self-awareness and personal growth. Why should you tune in? Because this isn't just a leadership “theory.” It’s a way of thinking that can transform how you lead and live. I hope you'll join me for this lively, enlightening conversation that will challenge your perceptions and inspire your planning.

On this week’s episode, my expert panel and I talk about how to move from single, short-term goals to a focus on long-term, sustained success. Because sustained success isn’t just about a series of individual accomplishments. It’s about maintaining a core identity of what makes you successful today, combined with stimulating progress towards the future. How do you combat complacency when things are going well? How does customer feedback fit into this kind of mindset? What kind of leadership is required to create sustained success? Hint: it takes more than planning—it takes real vision. Join us as we explore this important topic.

For many people, hearing that a manager or peer wants to “provide feedback” brings negative expectations. “They just want to complain,” or “What did I do wrong now?” may come to mind. That’s because, in many cases, leaders don’t take a holistic, long-term, organized approach to feedback. Doing so is important, because great employee feedback lowers turnover and improves everything from process to profits. Join me and my expert panel and we discuss how to create a culture where feedback—both positive and critical—is seen as an important part of work all the time.

In this panel discussion, my guests and I discuss the importance of listening. Obviously, it’s a skill we all need to improve—but it’s especially vital for leaders and those who aspire to leadership. I share 10 ways that listening can improve results for you and your team, and the panel reacts with their own insights and tips. If we don’t listen, we can’t learn, and great leaders never stop learning. If you “listen in” to this episode, I guarantee you’ll come away with a renewed appreciation for this skill... and with a few ideas on how to improve it during your own leadership journey.

I joke with my friend Scott McKain that he needs to write more books, because that gives us an excuse to get together—and our conversations are always a good time. He’s truly a gifted writer and speaker, and in today’s “Aim Higher” interview we talk about his new book, “The Ultimate Customer Experience.” While many of Scott’s books are primarily aimed at business leaders, this one is for everyone—and I do mean everyone. As Scott points out, everyone in your organization needs to be able to take responsibility for any customer’s experience. Pushing it off on someone else? Saying, “That’s not my job?” Failure to follow through? Those don’t get you to “ultimate.” Join us for a fast-paced, fun conversation on this important topic.