AXIS Leadership, LLC.

08/28/2026

📚 BOOK FEATURE FRIDAY — YOU CHOOSE OUR NEXT BOOK!

We’re getting ready to launch a brand-new Book Feature Friday Leadership Series, and this time we want our leaders to help choose the book!

Here are the three John C. Maxwell titles we’re considering:

📘 The Resilient Leader
A powerful look at how leaders can navigate adversity, setbacks, pressure, and change while helping their teams grow stronger through challenges.

📗 High Road Leadership
A timely message about leading with integrity, accountability, respect, and character—especially when dealing with conflict, differences, and difficult situations.

📙 The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication
A practical guide to becoming a stronger communicator by learning how to connect, influence, inspire, and communicate with greater purpose and impact.

✨ Now we want to hear from YOU!

Which book would you like to explore together for our next Book Feature Friday series?

Comment below with your choice:

1️⃣ The Resilient Leader
2️⃣ High Road Leadership
3️⃣ The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication

Your vote will help determine our next leadership journey! 📚💡

08/28/2026

Yesterday, on behalf of the City of Perry Technology & Entrepreneurship Advisory Board, I was privileged to host another engaging Speaker Series event: "The Future of Agriculture: Innovation, AI & What’s Next."

We brought together leaders, innovators, agricultural professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, and community members to explore how technology, artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, and innovation are transforming one of the world's most important industries. The conversation was a great reminder that the future of agriculture isn't somewhere down the road—it is already here. From emerging technologies and data-driven decision-making to new approaches that help farmers increase productivity and sustainability, innovation is creating incredible opportunities for the next generation of agriculture.

A special thank you to our moderator, Dr. Lenin Rodriguez, Director of Operations at the University of Georgia Grand Farm, for guiding today's conversation, and to our outstanding panelists for sharing their knowledge, experience, and perspectives. Thank you as well to everyone who joined us and contributed to another meaningful discussion about the future of innovation and entrepreneurship in our community.

These conversations matter because great things can happen when we create space for meaningful exchange between industry, education, technology, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
The future is full of opportunity—and Middle Georgia is ready to be part of the conversation.

- Joseph Richardson

08/27/2026

Thinker's Thursday - "The Soul of a Start-Up" - Harvard Business Review Article

Hey Leaders,

🔥 Do you still feel connected to the soul of your business?
I just read this article in Harvard Business Review called “The Soul of a Start-Up” by Ranjay Gulati, and it had me reflecting hard on the heart of why we start what we start.

As we grow—get clients, scale our offers, build systems—it’s easy to lose the original spark:
🔹 The deep purpose behind our mission
🔹 The energy that made us jump out of bed at the start
🔹 The way we connected personally with customers and team members

This article challenges us to protect that “soul” while we grow sustainably.

The Soul of a Start-Up – HBR Here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10q3ugwbNACz8Sruzx79L_yrE4rOHhHUr/view?usp=sharing

💬 Your Turn: What part of your business still feels deeply connected to your original “why”? Or—what part needs to be revived?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the fire alive 🔥👇

- Dr. Joe

08/26/2026

Hey Leaders,

Generation Z grew up surrounded by technology, social media, and constant connectivity. Now, some of its members are pushing back. They're cutting down on screen time, seeking face-to-face connection, embracing simpler experiences, and looking for a greater sense of meaning. For leaders, that shift presents an opportunity: instead of criticizing what Gen Z is rejecting, we can pay attention to what they're telling us they need.

Click here to listen to today's episode https://www.maxwellleadership.com/podcast_category/generations-at-work/?utm_campaign=CSG%20%7C%20MELP&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--x8MjK9AhECAy0a_i68YPYNQkqXvq-ZTUXtc1W0P_YakyJifBjdQw55RYWX_rqNlEPPHu_8-z4-G1IOUXGNvzpCeIMmQ&_hsmi=434512332&utm_content=434512332&utm_source=hs_email

This week on Generations at Work, Susan Davis and Dr. Tim Elmore unpack what Tim calls the "revenge of Generation Z"—a growing desire among young adults to reclaim control from the digital world they've inherited. More importantly, they share seven practical ways leaders can capitalize on the trend to create greater connection, community, and purpose for their youngest team members.

Here are some of the major takeaways…

Don't Assume Gen Z Wants More Technology: Some young adults are deliberately stepping away from social media and screens in search of greater peace, connection, and control over their lives.

Give Them Reasons to Be in the Room: Gen Z may value the flexibility of remote work, but they also recognize their need to build relationships and social capital. Create meaningful opportunities for people to interact face-to-face.

Build Community Around Everyday Moments: Something as simple as providing lunch can strengthen workplace relationships when it intentionally encourages people to step away from their screens and spend time together.

Help Them Create Healthier Digital Boundaries: Leaders can't control employees' lives outside of work, but they can model healthy technology habits, share useful information, and consider communication methods that don't require even more time on social media.

Keep In-Person Connection Short and Meaningful: Face-to-face meetings don't have to consume the calendar. Brief stand-up meetings can create connection, energy, and opportunities to solve problems together.

Give Their Work Meaning: Gen Z wants more than quarterly goals and reports. Connect individual contributions to the organization's larger mission and remind people how their work makes a difference.

Learn From Gen Z, Too: Experienced professionals bring accumulated wisdom, while younger employees bring perspectives and instincts shaped by a different world—and teams become stronger when both learn from each other.

- Dr. Joe

08/25/2026

TED Talk Tuesday: “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” – Angela Lee Duckworth

Hey Leaders,

What drives success, talent or perseverance?

Angela Lee Duckworth shows its grit: sustained passion + perseverance over time.

Her key message: consistency beats intensity.

Talent may open doors, but grit keeps you moving forward. As leaders, we don’t just practice perseverance—we build it in others by valuing effort, resilience, and growth.

Key takeaways:
- Grit matters more than talent
- Passion must be sustained
- Discipline drives long-term success
- Growth comes from pushing through challenges

Your challenge:

Pick one goal you’ve stalled on.

Ask: Am I relying on motivation or discipline?

Then take one consistent action this week.

Watch here: https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance

Great leaders aren’t just talented—they’re relentless.

— Dr. Joe

Leaving a high-flying job in consulting, Angela Lee Duckworth took a job teaching math to seventh graders in a New York public school. She quickly realized that IQ wasn't the only thing separating the successful students from those who struggled. Here, she explains her theory of "grit" as a predicto...

08/25/2026

Joseph Richardson Rebecca Anne Can Reina Cubbage Angeletha Dr. Head David Grossnickle thanks Sunmark Community Bank for their sponsorship of Live2Lead Middle GA!

08/24/2026

Motivation Monday: "Whatever the mind believes, it can achieve!"

Hey Leaders,

Coming off the incredible energy of Live2Lead Middle Georgia 2025, we’re reminded that our greatest limitations often start in
the mind.

The human mind is incredibly powerful. It is the birthplace of vision, creativity, and perseverance. However, it is also where our greatest battles take place — in the quiet, internal voices that whisper:

“You’re not ready.”

“That’s too hard.”

“You’re not enough.”

These limiting beliefs act like invisible walls that block our potential. But when we choose to challenge them, we unlock the truth that whatever the mind believes, it can achieve.

Your thoughts shape your actions, and your actions create your results. When you believe in your capacity to grow, to lead, and to overcome, you open the door to unlimited possibility.

🎥 Watch today’s video as we reflect on how to break through limiting beliefs and move toward the next level of growth.

What belief are you ready to let go of this week? Share your answers in the comments, and let’s continue learning and growing
together!

– Dr. Joe

08/21/2026

Book Feature Friday: Fans First by Jesse Cole Session Summary

Hey Leaders,

Over the past several weeks we covered Book Feature Friday sessions, and explored powerful leadership lessons from Jesse Cole’s Fans First—a book that challenges leaders to rethink how they serve people, build culture, create memorable experiences, and make a lasting impact.

Throughout our Book Feature Friday sessions, we explored powerful leadership lessons from Jesse Cole’s Fans First and what it means to create an organization that truly puts people first.

Our conversations highlighted the importance of:

⭐ Standing out and challenging the status quo
🤝 Building an intentional, people-first culture
🎉 Creating experiences that turn customers into fans
💡 Having the courage to innovate and learn from failure
❤️ Leading through service and consistency
🌎 Building a leadership legacy that positively impacts others

The biggest takeaway? Great leadership is about more than results—it’s about creating experiences, developing people, and leaving others better because you led them.

Better People. Better World.

– Dr. Joe

08/19/2026

Wisdom Wednesday: "What People Misunderstand About Success" (Part 2) - Maxwell Leadership Podcast Episode

Hey Leaders,

This week on the Maxwell Leadership Podcast, find out what an ice cube can teach you about patience and results. Today, John Maxwell finishes up his two-part lesson on the compounding power of daily action, reflection, and intentional growth on the path to lasting leadership success.

After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Goede dive into real-world strategies and personal stories to help you immediately implement John’s teaching.

Key takeaways:

Your first step is your most important step.

Success is a series of steps, not one giant leap.

If you can’t get happy where you are, you can’t get happy where you’re going.

Click here to listen. https://youtu.be/JRG8A54kkL8?si=znXKRTxiYLfEVgu3

Our BONUS resource for this episode is the What People Misunderstand About Success (Part 2) Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching.

Download the bonus resource.

- Dr. Joe

08/18/2026

TED Talk Tuesday: “The Happy Secret to Better Work” - Shawn Achor

Hey Leaders,

What if we have the formula for success and happiness backwards?

Many of us have been taught to believe that if we work harder, we will become more successful, and once we become successful, we will finally be happy. But in this insightful TED Talk, positive psychology researcher Shawn Achor challenges that thinking.

His research suggests that happiness does not simply follow success. A positive brain can actually help produce it.

Achor calls this the "happiness advantage." When our brains operate from a more positive state, we become more productive, creative, energetic, and capable of responding to challenges effectively.

That has an important application for leadership.

Leaders often focus heavily on results, goals, deadlines, and performance. Those things matter. But if we continually move the goalpost of success, we can create environments where people believe happiness and fulfillment are always waiting somewhere beyond the next achievement.

Effective leadership requires a different approach.

We can create cultures where people are challenged to perform while also being encouraged to recognize progress, practice gratitude, strengthen relationships, and approach difficulties with optimism and resilience.

Achor offers several simple practices for training our brains to recognize the positive:

Write down three new things you are grateful for each day.
Journal about a positive experience.
Exercise regularly.
Practice meditation and focused attention.
Perform intentional acts of kindness, such as thanking or encouraging someone.

These practices may seem small, but repeated consistently, they can help change what our minds look for and how we respond to the world around us.

You can watch the full TED Talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work

This week, consider the environment you are creating for yourself and the people you lead. Are you constantly moving the finish line, or are you also creating space to recognize progress, express gratitude, and celebrate what is going well?

Success does not have to be the prerequisite for happiness. When we cultivate positivity in the present, we put ourselves and those around us in a stronger position to learn, grow, perform, and lead well.

Remember, Better People, Better World.

- Dr. Joe

We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? In this fast-moving and very funny talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that, actually, happiness inspires us to be more productive.