ZenFox Solutions

04/27/2026

Speaking to the Alaska Trucking Association last week sharing specific skills to help retain their valuable employees was an absolute highlight! Look at this space, look at this engaged audience - this is what happens when an industry association truly invests in developing its people and encouraging innovation.

My "Retention Toolbox" session sparked conversations that continued long after the session ended. The skills I shared:

1. Listen & Reflect Back - listen to understand, then reflect back what you hear before offering your own perspective

2. Acknowledgement + Accountability (acknowledgement of either contribution or challenge) using the “And not But” framework

We talked about using these skills at two key moments critical in the retention battle: when someone makes a mistake and when someone leaves the organization.

After my morning session, people came up to me throughout the day saying things like - “we really need more of this” and “thank you for highlighting these skills - it’s so important and really got me thinking” and “that was my favorite session of the day!”

I’ll tell you the secret - I got people talking to each other - sharing real stories, opening up, and reflecting on when they had a chance to grow from their own mistakes.

Special thanks to Jamie Benson and the ATA team for the invitation and for the thoughtful lineup of great speakers - the content was really well aligned and each session built upon the one before it, from Brian Fielkow’s talk about the Executive’s Role in Safety Leadership where he highlighted the failings of traditional progressive discipline and rethinking how we treat mishaps so people can learn, to Jeremy Reymer and Dr. Mark Manera’s presentation on Project 61 whose goal it is to improve the health and longevity of drivers (which includes mental health and working in a psychologically safe environment where they are treated like human beings).

Special thanks to my friend and former colleague Graham from Black Gold Express for his fantastic photography capturing the energy in the room!

To my fellow speakers and all the attendees: your insights, engagement, and conversations elevated everything. Collaborative learning at its finest.

Exciting things ahead for Alaska's transportation industry! 🚛

03/20/2026

Come join us at the 2026 Alaska SHRM Conference coming up in April! I'll be speaking in two breakout sessions:

Mastering Human Connection in a Digital World
Attention is Your Superpower: Mastering Focus in the Age of Distraction

Timely topics for the modern world we live in where people are suffering from a loneliness epidemic and media companies are vying for our ever-diminishing attention spans with highly sophisticated (and effective) apps and features.

See more here

01/14/2026

Are your leaders making employees sick?
Did you know that there are proven correlations between the quality of leadership and health outcomes of employees?
These are some of the things I talked about last week with the local chapter of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals.
Take a listen...link in the comments if you want more stats and info!
AND I have 20 seats available in the inaugural cohort of The Zen Leader, launching March 31st at a special founding member price until Feb 27th!

01/14/2026

Are your leaders making employees sick?

Did you know that there are proven correlations between the quality of leadership and health outcomes of employees?

These are some of the things I talked about last week with the local chapter of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals.

Take a listen...link in the comments if you want more stats and info!

AND I have 20 seats available in the inaugural cohort of The Zen Leader, launching March 31st at a special founding member price until Feb 27th!

11/28/2025

Are you interested in learning how to find balance as a leader? Do you yearn for a more human-centric way of leading - from wherever you sit in an organization?

Check out our Zen Leader Program and click the link below for an incredible black friday/small business saturday/cyber monday offer!

You'll get a discount code good for $800 off registration!! Offer only good through midnight on Monday AND we have limited spaces available. Sign up today!!

10/06/2025

Great leadership is not about how much power you can exert over others, but rather, being aware of your power (regardless of title) and knowing how to connect with and influence others, building trust in the process. This goes both up and down the chain in hierarchical situations.

One skill separates great communicators from average ones:

Perspective-taking.

The ability to see things from someone else’s point of view.

But most people do it wrong.

Here’s how to do it right, especially when you’re leading or being led:

When you’re the boss, persuading down:

You’re trying to convince Maria on your team to do something different.

She’s pushing back.

Your instinct might be to assert your authority.

But that’s a mistake.

Here’s why…

Research shows:

The more powerful you feel, the worse your perspective-taking becomes.

More power = less understanding.

So if you want to persuade Maria, don’t lean into your title.

Do the opposite: dial your power down, just briefly.

Try this:

Before the next conversation, remind yourself:

Maria has power too.
I need her buy-in.
Maybe she sees something I don’t.

Lower your feelings of power to raise your perspective.

From that place, ask:

→ What does she see that I’m missing?
→ What might be in her way?
→ What’s a win-win outcome?

That shift changes the entire dynamic.

Instead of steamrolling, you’re collaborating.

And that’s how you earn trust and results.

Now flip it.

You’re the employee persuading your boss.

It’s a high-stakes moment.

You’re nervous.

So do you appeal to emotion?

No.

Drop the feelings. Focus on interests.

Here’s the key question:

“What’s in it for them?”

Not how you feel. Not your big dream.

→ Will it save time?
→ Improve performance?
→ Help them hit their goals?

Make it about their world, not yours.

Why?

Because every boss has a mental shortcut:

→ Does this employee make my life easier or harder?

Be the person who brings clarity, ideas, and upside.

Not complaints, drama, or friction.

In summary:

→ Persuading down? Dial down your power to see clearer.
→ Persuading up? Focus on their interests, not your emotions.

Perspective-taking is a superpower, if you learn how to use it.

Now practice, practice, practice.

06/14/2025

05/06/2025

In April, I gave a 45 minute session on Giving Effective Feedback - it was a condensed version of the upcoming 3-hour session I'm offering on June 12th at Alaska Co:Work.

The overwhelming feedback from this session was that it was not long enough! They wanted more content AND more time to practice. So that is what I'm offering. This note below was from one of the participants regarding the tool she was able to put to use immediately.

The ability to give EFFECTIVE feedback - without triggering an emotional reaction or being stopped up by fear - is indeed a game-changer.

Come learn HOW to do it right! It will be a highly engaging and interactive session with lots of opportunity to practice and hone your skills. I'm offering morning and afternoon sessions.

EARLY BIRD $30 discount with the code AMFEEDBACK (for morning session) and PMFEEDBACK (for afternoon session) through MAY 17th.

Discounts for groups from the same employer and for employees of non-profits.

Each session has 35 spots - SIGN UP TODAY!! Don't miss out!!

https://www.zenfoxsolutions.com/event-details/feedback-that-works-a-practical-framework-for-results-2025-06-12-09-00

05/02/2025

Sampling of the Yoga experience at the Zen Leader Retreat at the Salted Roots Yoga Chalet!

Tomorrow, May 3rd is the LAST DAY to book your spot at the retreat!! Don't miss out!!

https://www.zenfoxsolutions.com/post/zen-leader-retreat-pursuing-clarity-creativity-and-connection