Author: Mike Schott

Lauren and I were able to sneak away for a date night recently for one of our favorite activities, wine tasting, and randomly sat with a guy in an open seating format that turned into the 3 of us sitting and talking for 3 hours sharing some of Champagnes finest in addition to stories about … Continue reading The Power of Personal Agency (part 1)…

One of my first BTL memories from 2016 was when Chet shared his belief that the greatest gift a leader can give their team is the gift of belief.  I did not quite understand it at the time but have felt it from him ever since that day over 10 years ago and I am extremely … Continue reading The Gift of Belief…

If there is one thing I would love to change about my hard wiring it’s the down on self cycle.  This deeply engrained pattern reaches as far back as I can remember in my life and reared its ugly head lately.  The cycles vary in length, but they are not quick to pass. I’m in the process … Continue reading Down on self…

Lauren and I spent some time in Denver last week which became the most OPUS filled 24 hours that I can remember. At dinner with some clients and their spouses, we went around the table and shared the current version of our OPUS’s. When it was my turn, I shared with them I felt like … Continue reading The False Summit…

Today marks our 7th year wedding anniversary.  As I walking out the door this morning, our 5-year-old son asked us what season it was when we met? I said spring but my wife, who is always right, corrected me and shared it was a warm winter day instead. All I remember from that day is that … Continue reading Lucky Number 7…

Since I ended last week with a tree analogy, here is another one: What are the roots of the accountability tree? The most common melody line I hear in practice is the A-word. Sometimes it’s someone calling me a name that begins with A but most of the time it’s about how to create more … Continue reading Accountability does not work without…

I had another blog planned for today but was so moved by a client yesterday I had to take a hard right turn. She shared a story about how her Mother is navigating her final years of life, which are becoming increasingly more challenging, with such grace and positivity. I asked her what’s at the … Continue reading Nurture the roots…

I retired from my public accounting career at the ripe age of 22 but I wanted to make my return to the blog to talk some numbers. I have been lapping through Becoming Built to Lead since it was published in 2020, my first full year as a builder. I’m on my 4th time through … Continue reading 486 Days…