Elaine Morris

There is much to celebrate this 4th - I am especially aware of so many leaders in all sectors who choose to make a positive difference beyond their own wealth and profits. Do you want to be that kind of leader?

🎆 Emotional Freedom: The Most Underrated Leadership Advantage True freedom starts within. A July 4th reflection for executive leaders who want to leave a lasting impact.

If you didn't hear, on New Year's Day, as the crisp January air greeted the shores of Seabrook Island, SC, I joined my Turtle Patrol teammates for a tradition I'd never attempted before: the polar bear plunge. That's right—I ran into the Atlantic Ocean on New Year's Day. For the first time. On purpose.

With the polar vortex hovering over most of the country, consider doing the same! You'll be glad you did. But be safe 🙂

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Take the Plunge into 2025! This morning, as the crisp January air greeted the shores of Seabrook Island, SC, I joined my Turtle Patrol teammates for a tradition I'd never attempted before: the polar bear plunge.

There’s a certain magic that happens when you get your leadership team off-site—and no, I’m not talking about the post-dinner karaoke (though that can be magical). I’m talking about the kind of magic that builds trust, tackles thorny issues, and sets the stage for strategic leaps.

But let’s be honest: Retreats can also go sideways, fast. As someone who’s facilitated more than my fair share of these gatherings, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to make them truly effective—and how to survive the complexity of herding strong personalities toward a common purpose.

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How to Host a Retreat That Actually Works Insights from the Trenches

Ah, Christmas—the most wonderful (and chaotic) time of the year! Between gift wrapping, cookie baking, and dodging Aunt Sadie’s political commentary at the dinner table, it’s easy to feel like we’re running on fumes rather than holiday cheer. Yet, as we pause to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, let’s anchor ourselves in the true heart of this season: grace, love, and Emmanuel—God with us.

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year A Celebration of Grace, Joy, and the Challenge of Togetherness

Wasn’t it just January? One moment we’re setting ambitious goals, and the next, we’re Googling last-minute New Year’s Eve recipes (spoiler: everyone loves deviled eggs).

You may be feeling exhausted and overwhelmed by all the end of year pressures from budget deadlines to gift buying.

The Grinch side of you just wants to get out town, eat too many cookies and drink a pitcher of your favorite cocktails.

Take a breath. Time off is almost here. Read the rest:

Pre-Holiday Reflection Give Yourself the Gift of Presence This Season!

The late 1980s were a challenging time for many. We were just emerging from a recession, and I was navigating the early years of my coaching business. The day before Thanksgiving, I took a huge step: I signed a lease for my very first office. It was thrilling and terrifying all at once.

That same day, one of my best clients called to cancel our contract.

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Can You Measure Your Character? What It Can Tell You About Your Leadership Capacity

I wasn’t planning to write an article before Thanksgiving. Honestly, the thought of sitting down to string together coherent sentences in the middle of all the things felt like another item on an already-too-long to-do list. I mean, life is busy. But then I did what I usually do when I’m stuck: I asked God for help. And wouldn’t you know it, He came through.

So here I am, writing about entitlement.

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How Do I Write About Entitlement in a Charming Way? I wasn’t planning to write an article before Thanksgiving. Honestly, the thought of sitting down to string together coherent sentences in the middle of *all the things* felt like just another item.

I asked a mid-30s business owner what he wished I would write about. My client, an exhausted young dad, did not hesitate. He sheepishly responded as if he was the only person in the world with this challenge. Sadly, I think he convinced himself he was failing miserably while everyone else had this all figured out.

How do people get it all done? It feels overwhelming to juggle so much: run and grow my business, spend quality time with God, my wife and toddler, exercise, eat healthy, keep up with household chores, social life, extended family, writing. It feels endless. I am not even sleeping enough. I wonder how to get some downtime to just have some fun, or read an enjoyable book!

As I listened to him, I was instantly transported to a scene 37 years earlier.

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How DO I Get It All Done? I asked a mid-30s business owner what he wished I would write about.

We have all been in meetings where we have a meaty topic to discuss and then enthusiasm wanes as a few, then many, pile on their good ideas. You feel frustrated. They barely listen to one another or build on what’s offered. People start to shut down. Look at their watches. Worse, consensus does not happen. Somehow decisions get made—usually by the loudest, smartest, most extroverted, stubborn and/or highest in power.

As one leader put it: "We had a meeting. A lot was said. Much was decided. I fear most of it will not get done. I’m in charge. How did this happen?"

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End Tedious and Unproductive Meetings Try Some Provocative Questions

I like birthdays. Maybe because I was the youngest in my family by 10 years and was always striving to get older so I could stay up later in the evening with my family!

Now, as a proud and social security card-carrying boomer I PROTEST the BAD RAP WE PUT ON AGING! Forgive the caps. My generation made a name for themselves carrying signs. We loved to protest. We sang songs, marched, and delayed adulthood as long as we could. But what is adulthood really?

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Aging to Saging Think of aging as taking art lessons in finding meaning, joy and purpose in ordinary life.

I’ve had a flurry of people contacting me lately about coaching around their career. This is a new trend. Most of my clients are business owners and executives seeking to grow their business and enhance their leadership skills. I wonder if this is a post-covid trend. Many of us realized during those God awful covid years, that we have more choices than we thought. Much like a cancer patient faced with the possibility of a shortened life, priorities change. I think this is a good thing.

In particular I am inspired to hear clients seeking change for the pursuit of meaning, purpose and relational connection. I think we can all benefit from those longings. It can get us on a path of transcendence, which gives us the possibility of greater joy, health and even prosperity.

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Rethinking Your Career I’ve had a flurry of people contacting me lately about coaching around their career. This is a new trend.

At 30, Dave and his wife were successful entrepreneurs in Dallas.

College sweethearts, they met in painting class at a prestigious college in the west. Dave, a gifted artist, also had a head for business and finance. He graduated with a double major in fine art and business. He later studied at the Wharton School to round out his education.

However, their idyllic and comfortable lives came tumbling down in the late ’80s when the real estate market crashed.

Read more on my new Substack:

Coming Back from a Painful Financial Loss The early ’80s was a great time to be in Dallas in the commercial real estate business. It was the Dallas boom years. People were flocking to the South.