Leadership is both an honor and a huge responsibility. As the adage goes, “Heavy is the head that wears the crown!”

Now, I wouldn’t compare any great leader to a king. In business, we’re not dealing with absolute power but with vision and service. Leadership is a profoundly interpersonal role. It’s never about making proclamations from on high but rather getting in the trenches alongside your team. 

And with that comes some painful, difficult situations. I’ve been in those positions many a time and learned (sometimes painfully) how to navigate some of the biggest curveballs in the biz. It wasn’t fun, but at least I can share what I learned to help you avoid some of the pains of leadership challenges.

I’ve written about the prevalence of fitness and nutrition myths before. Maybe that's not too surprising when the diet and weight loss industry is worth a hefty $90 billion. There’s money in engineering so-called shortcuts. Of course, not all myths are a matter of snake oil – they’re just misinformation that’s been repeated or outdated advice based on now-disproven theories.

Either way, nutrition myths might keep you from achieving your fitness goals. After all, these two go hand-in-hand. So, let’s break down a few popular myths and expose the truth together!

Red flags are warning signs. We don’t have a beach here in Tennessee, but I’ve traveled enough to be familiar with the flags used to convey ocean safety: red for high hazards, green for a-okay, purple for jellyfish, and so on. Red flags are warnings. “Proceed at your own risk,” knowing you may be treading into dangerous waters.

But red flags aren’t just for the beach. They might be less obvious, but they’re certainly there – the warning signs that things aren’t all as they should be. Recognizing leadership red flags in yourself and others is not just a skill but a superpower that can help you grow as a leader and build healthier, more effective teams while avoiding serious hazards.

I’m admittedly not much of a TikTok person, but I couldn’t help but watch the U.S. ban unfold (and then refold in a matter of hours). Regardless of the official reasoning, it made me think about the grip technology has on our lives. Millennials were the last generation to know life that wasn’t inundated with smartphones, streaming, and an “always on” digital mindset. 

And I think because of that, we’ve lost something of ourselves. Technology can be enormously beneficial. I’m not at all anti-tech. But I am for healthy, responsible usage. Easier said than done!