welcome to the Leadership In Focus newsletter.

Leadership Onboarding, New Leader, Onboarding, First Time Manager, ownership, Accountability Kurtis Graham Leadership Onboarding, New Leader, Onboarding, First Time Manager, ownership, Accountability Kurtis Graham

No One’s Coming to Save You: The Onboarding Trap

Just got the title, but no map?
New role. New team. No direction.

That’s the Onboarding Trap: when leaders are handed a laptop but not a leadership system.

The truth is:
No one’s coming to save you.
But that’s good news. Because you’re ready to lead.

This week’s Leadership In Focus newsletter breaks down how to build your own onboarding, and create momentum, trust, and clarity from day one.

🔗 Read it now, share it with your team, or use it to onboard yourself.


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Personal Growth, Accountability, Self Confidence, Self Leadership, Boundary Setting, Leadership Boundaries, Leadership Skills, Self Awareness Curtis Scaplen Personal Growth, Accountability, Self Confidence, Self Leadership, Boundary Setting, Leadership Boundaries, Leadership Skills, Self Awareness Curtis Scaplen

Knowing When to Walk Away: A Leadership Dilemma

🚨 When Leadership Means Walking Away 🚨
Leadership isn’t about stubbornly sticking around. It’s about knowing when to cut ties and make space for growth. Ever felt drained after a meeting or a conversation? It's time to ask: “Why do I do this?” If your energy isn’t being reciprocated, it’s time to walk away.

This week in Leadership In Focus, we dive deep into the leadership dilemma of when to step back and refocus your energy. The key? It's all about personal alignment, not external validation.

🔑 Big Idea: True leadership comes from knowing when to let go—and when to stay true to your values.

#Leadership #PersonalGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #WalkAway

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Leadership Skills, Ownership, Business Strategy, Strategic Leadership, Accountability, ownership and accountabilty, Leadership, Marketing, Strategy Kurtis Graham Leadership Skills, Ownership, Business Strategy, Strategic Leadership, Accountability, ownership and accountabilty, Leadership, Marketing, Strategy Kurtis Graham

The Leadership In Focus: Weekend High-Five - January 25, 2025

🚀 Embrace the Challenge: A High-Five to Resilience 💪
2025's already throwing curveballs, but that’s exactly when the magic happens. Challenges bring growth, clarity, and the chance to lead with purpose. This week’s Leadership In Focus Weekend High-Five dives into how to embrace resilience and keep moving forward, even when it feels tough.


💥 Take Action: Step back, reassess your goals, and make one small change to get back on track. Your north star is waiting.


#Leadership #Resilience #Growth #LeadershipInFocus #ChallengeAccepted #LeadershipJourney

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Achieve Goals, Effective Goal Setting, Goal Setting, Goal Setting and Achievement, Personal Goals, Personal Growth, Accountability Kurtis Graham Achieve Goals, Effective Goal Setting, Goal Setting, Goal Setting and Achievement, Personal Goals, Personal Growth, Accountability Kurtis Graham

How One Word Can Change Everything

Hope carried me through 2024. Now, I’m stepping into Emergence for 2025—growth, transformation, and finally becoming who I’m meant to be.
What’s your word for the year? Pick one that challenges you, inspires you, and keeps you focused.
Need help choosing yours? Check out my process here.

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Leadership skills, Leadership and Ownership, Accountability, Mindset, Positive Mindset Kurtis Graham Leadership skills, Leadership and Ownership, Accountability, Mindset, Positive Mindset Kurtis Graham

Leadership In Focus: Weekend High-Five – December 14, 2024

Ready to Wrap Up 2024 with a Win? 🎉
As the year winds down, it’s time to balance reflection and action. This week’s Leadership In Focus: Weekend High-Five dives into aligning your brand with your culture, staying resilient through setbacks, and setting 2025 goals that truly inspire. Don’t miss the leadership insights to finish 2024 strong and set the stage for success.

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Marriage Advice, Relationship Advice, Family and Relationships, Relationship Building, Relationship Focused Leadership, Relationships, Leadership Perspectives, Communication Skills, Commitment, Accountability Kurtis Graham Marriage Advice, Relationship Advice, Family and Relationships, Relationship Building, Relationship Focused Leadership, Relationships, Leadership Perspectives, Communication Skills, Commitment, Accountability Kurtis Graham

What 25 Years of Marriage Taught Me About Loyalty, Leadership, and Lasting Success

What 25 Years of Marriage Taught Me About Leading with Heart ❤️


This week, I’m diving into a more personal journey: lessons from 25 years of marriage that resonate just as strongly in leadership. Commitment, empathy, trust—let’s talk about what it really takes to build lasting connections, whether in life or work.

#LeadershipInFocus #RelationshipGoals #LeadershipLessons

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Leadership Skills, Career Growth, Career Journey, Career Management, Accountability, Foundations, Personal Growth Kurtis Graham Leadership Skills, Career Growth, Career Journey, Career Management, Accountability, Foundations, Personal Growth Kurtis Graham

The Leadership In Focus: Weekend High Five - November 2, 2024

November is here, and so is our Leadership In Focus: Weekend High-Five! This month, it’s all about finishing the year strong. With less than two months left in 2024, we’re diving into themes of balance, gratitude, and that all-important foundation work. Ready to make these last weeks count?

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Leadership and Empowerment, Empowerment, Empowering Others, Ownership, Accountability, Leadership Skills, Self Worth, Personal Growth, Delegation Kurtis Graham Leadership and Empowerment, Empowerment, Empowering Others, Ownership, Accountability, Leadership Skills, Self Worth, Personal Growth, Delegation Kurtis Graham

The Leadership In Focus: Weekend High Five - October 26th, 2024

🎃 Embrace Halloween's spirit this week by diving into creativity, new roles, and finding rewards in unexpected challenges. Leadership lessons from trick-or-treating? You bet. 🍬👻

#LeadershipInFocus #WeekendHighFive #HalloweenInspiredLeadership

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Discipline, Accountability, Mindset, Personal Growth, Personal Growth Journey, Leadership, Coaching Skills, Leadership and Coaching Curtis Scaplen Discipline, Accountability, Mindset, Personal Growth, Personal Growth Journey, Leadership, Coaching Skills, Leadership and Coaching Curtis Scaplen

When in Doubt – Look Inward

Feeling overwhelmed by external pressures? 🎯 It’s time to shift the focus inward. Discover how preparation, effort, and mindset can turn the tides in your favor—whether in sports, business, or life. 🏆 Let's block out the noise and find joy in the process. 👉 Read this week's Leadership In Focus newsletter.

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Leadership, Values, Integrity, Feedback and Communication, Leadership Skills, Communication Skills, Accountability, Empathetic Leadership Kurtis Graham Leadership, Values, Integrity, Feedback and Communication, Leadership Skills, Communication Skills, Accountability, Empathetic Leadership Kurtis Graham

The Leadership In Focus: Weekend High Five - Sept 28, 2024

🌟 Your fingerprint is one of a kind—how are you using it to leave your mark? This week's newsletter is all about embracing your unique strengths, giving impactful feedback, and leading with heart. Let’s reset and step into fall with purpose. 🍁 Read on for insights, tips, and a whole lot of inspiration. #LeadershipInFocus

#MakeYourMark #LeadWithHeart

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Empathetic Leadership, Empathy and Compassion, Leading with Courage, Setting Boundaries, Leadership Boundaries, Accountability, Leadership and Ownership, ownership and accountabilty, Problem Monsters, Toxic Management Traits, Management Skills, Management and Leadership, Management Strategies Kurtis Graham Empathetic Leadership, Empathy and Compassion, Leading with Courage, Setting Boundaries, Leadership Boundaries, Accountability, Leadership and Ownership, ownership and accountabilty, Problem Monsters, Toxic Management Traits, Management Skills, Management and Leadership, Management Strategies Kurtis Graham

The Empathy Trap: How Misunderstood Compassion Can Undermine Accountability

Are you handing out hall passes in the name of empathy? Understanding your team’s struggles is important, but when does empathy cross the line and compromise accountability? In our latest article, we explore the fine line between being supportive and enabling poor performance—and how to strike the right balance. Discover how you can lead with compassion without losing sight of your goals.

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Leadership, Servant Leadership, Discipline, Accountability, Consistency, Leadership skills Curtis Scaplen Leadership, Servant Leadership, Discipline, Accountability, Consistency, Leadership skills Curtis Scaplen

Sharing the Journey: Leadership Through Discipline, Consistency, and Persistence

Discover the power of shared leadership through discipline, consistency, and persistence. 🚀 In "Sharing the Journey: Leadership Through Discipline, Consistency, and Persistence," learn how being in the trenches with your team can drive success and build trust. Let’s lead together! 💪

#Leadership #Teamwork #EmployeeEngagement #Success

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Employee Engagement, Self Leadership, personal accountability, Personal Growth, Accountability, Motivation, Team Building, Leadership Skills Kurtis Graham Employee Engagement, Self Leadership, personal accountability, Personal Growth, Accountability, Motivation, Team Building, Leadership Skills Kurtis Graham

Overcoming the Numbness: A Journey to Re-engagement at Work

Feeling numb at work? You're not alone. 🌟 Discover practical steps to re-engage and find your passion again. Dive into "Overcoming the Numbness: A Journey to Re-engagement at Work" and learn how to take ownership of your motivation and drive. 🚀✨

#EmployeeEngagement #WorkMotivation #SelfLeadership

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Leadership, Accountability, Personal Accountability, Ownership, Leadership Skills, Difficult Conversations, Team Building, Coaching and Team Performance Kurtis Graham Leadership, Accountability, Personal Accountability, Ownership, Leadership Skills, Difficult Conversations, Team Building, Coaching and Team Performance Kurtis Graham

Don’t Get Wet: From Swimming and Gremlins to Leadership Accountability

Were you ever told 'Don’t Get Wet' before you jumped into the pool? 🌊 From swimming as kids to the chaos of Gremlins, these lessons teach us about leadership accountability. 🐲 Are you feeding your Problem Monsters with compromise and excuses? Discover how to lead with integrity and starve out these creatures. Read 'Don’t Get Wet: From Swimming and Gremlins to Leadership Accountability' now!

#Leadership #Accountability #Integrity #ProblemMonsters

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Accountability, Achieve Goals, Performance Management, Personal Accountability, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Leadership, Leadershipskills, Self Leadership, Personal Development, Goals Curtis Scaplen Accountability, Achieve Goals, Performance Management, Personal Accountability, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Leadership, Leadershipskills, Self Leadership, Personal Development, Goals Curtis Scaplen

Lacking Accountability: The Unintended Consequences

Ever feel stuck or see those around you struggling with their weight, jobs, or social lives? 🤔 It's easy to blame circumstances, but real change starts with accountability. 💪 Discover how small steps in taking responsibility can transform your life and leadership. Read 'Lacking Accountability: The Unintended Consequences' now!

#Leadership #Accountability #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement

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Leadership Skills, Prioritization, Organization Skills, Self-Awareness, Self Leadership, Self-Empowerment, Accountability, Personal Growth, Minimalism, Agility, Planning Kurtis Graham Leadership Skills, Prioritization, Organization Skills, Self-Awareness, Self Leadership, Self-Empowerment, Accountability, Personal Growth, Minimalism, Agility, Planning Kurtis Graham

Beyond Shiny New Things: Embracing Practical Leadership in a World of Accumulation

From shiny new cars to cluttered storage units, our latest article explores the balance between material accumulation and long-term value creation. Dive into practical leadership insights that prioritize purpose over possession.

#LeadershipInFocus #PracticalLeadership

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Leadership Skills, Communication Skills, Organizational Leadership, Culture Building, Authentic Leadership, authenticity, Management Skills, Innovation, Accountability Kurtis Graham Leadership Skills, Communication Skills, Organizational Leadership, Culture Building, Authentic Leadership, authenticity, Management Skills, Innovation, Accountability Kurtis Graham

Hostile Takeover: Guardians of Executive Truth

Delve into the perils of cultivating 'Guardians of Executive Truth' in leadership. Discover how radical transparency and customer-centricity can steer organizations towards integrity. Read more.

#ledership #transparency #authenticity

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Leadership, Communication Skills, Leadership and Ownership, Accountability, Results, Resilience, Team Culture, Team Building and Motivation, Empowerment, Capability Building Kurtis Graham Leadership, Communication Skills, Leadership and Ownership, Accountability, Results, Resilience, Team Culture, Team Building and Motivation, Empowerment, Capability Building Kurtis Graham

Asleep at the Wheel and Going off Course

🚀 Leading isn't just about staying awake at the wheel—it's about ensuring your team stays on course. Dive into our latest article for insights on effective leadership and staying vigilant in turbulent times.

#Leadership #StayOnCourse #TeamEmpowerment

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Change Management, Leadership, Leadership Skills, Communication Skills, Team Culture, Organizational Culture, Empathetic Leadership, Leading through Change, Accountability Kurtis Graham Change Management, Leadership, Leadership Skills, Communication Skills, Team Culture, Organizational Culture, Empathetic Leadership, Leading through Change, Accountability Kurtis Graham

The Fear of Carwashes: A Leader's Guide to Helping Team Members Navigate the Fear of the Unknown

From childhood fears to leading through uncertainty: Reflecting on overcoming autoplenophobia and guiding teams through change. 🚗💡 Join me in exploring the parallels between conquering car washes and navigating transformation initiatives. Together, we'll dive into the importance of empathy, communication, and decisive action in steering our teams towards success!

#Leadership #ChangeManagement #EmbraceTheUnknown #Teamwork

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