Leadership Insights

Last November, in a room overlooking West Grand Traverse Bay, a group of professional women worked through a long list of boundaries that are commonly

As a coach, I am trained to listen to what someone is saying and also what they are not saying. When work-life balance comes up

A coach friend of mine is in the middle of a significant shift — evolving the way he shows up with people and shares his

I want to tell you about something that hit me like a punch to the chest. I’ve been in a training called Alive — a

Recently, I read something that made my heart sink. It was an unpublished article written by a nonprofit CEO. The only safe space she had

AI is all of a buzz right now, and I’ve been formulating some thoughts. Leaders are using it to write emails, automate tasks, and outline

Every so often I use this space to make a direct ask, and today is one of those days. But first, a story. For years,

Last week, in a coaching conversation, a leader spent the first few minutes describing a challenging employee. The behavior she wanted corrected. The frustration she’d

This Sunday, I’ll hear it again. The squeal of tires leaving pit row. The pop of exhaust cracking out the back of an Indy car

We like to think our words are doing the heavy lifting in communication. But often… they’re not. Recently, a client was walking me through a

Last week, I drove to Indianapolis for a conference…one I wasn’t attending—I was speaking at it. Originally, I was scheduled for two afternoon workshops. Then

Every three years, I renew my coaching certification with the International Coaching Federation. Not all coaches do this, but I make it a priority to

I’ve had several conversations lately about upgrading a team or organization’s culture. Oof. When a work environment isn’t healthy, productivity, fulfillment, and overall team spirit

Halle Simpson sharing leadership coaching insights in a video for nonprofit CEOs and executive leaders.

I finally did something I’ve wanted to do for a long time! After 9 years working as a coach, I’ve noticed a few common obstacles

Usually, growth isn’t fun. There, I said it. If it were, we’d all be walking around enlightened, boundary-holding, well-rested unicorns. But instead, growth often looks

I sipped my coffee from the couch while 45-60 mph winds gusted outside. Snow was falling, trees were bending, and out of the corner of

Two of the quiet questions I hear (even when they’re not said out loud) are: “What actually happens on a first coaching call?” And… “Why

One of the most interesting patterns I’ve noticed over the years is when people hire a coach. Not why. Not which coach. But when they finally decide to

One of the most common questions I hear from business owners and executives is this: “How do I know if I need a coach?” Not

The morning was just as I had pictured.  Twenty women arrived with yoga mats tucked under their arms, a low hum of welcome chatter and

What is leverage? It’s a boost.  It’s a tool or method you add to your own power to get greater results than you can achieve

With each leaf falling off the tree, we have officially entered goal-setting season. Fourth quarter always brings a flurry of planning—wrapping up the year, mapping

I’m a big believer in knowing your personal core values—two to five words unique to you that represent the principles you want to live and

I got sold the other day.  A quick and choreographed salesperson had me in awe of his process. Within 10 minutes, I was parting with

We’re officially in “goal-setting season.” The 4th quarter is within reach, and most leaders I talk to are focused on one of two things: (Side

I work with leaders in different industries, with different tenure and different skill sets. One common trend exists through them all…each has leadership failures on

What do emotions have to do with business? A whole heck of a lot, actually. It bothers me when emotions are discounted in business because

Let’s talk accountability. It’s come up with a few clients recently, in all its varying parts. To begin troubleshooting, consider what improvements you need to

During a recent leadership roundtable, someone asked a big question: “Where are my leadership gaps?” We all shared thoughts in the moment. But later—during my morning

Did you know that clicking through an online course, listening to a podcast, or reading a book isn’t going to make much of a difference

If you were to write out all the thoughts you think in an hour or in a day, I wonder what you would witness? Our

As a leader, building trust within your team is non-negotiable. Trust is the foundation of collaboration, effective communication, and strong performance. It’s the magic that

Let’s talk leadership myths. Somewhere along the way, laziness and assumptions about leadership got tangled into how we think about business success. It’s time to

I remember hearing Leila Hormozi say something to the effect of, If you’re comfortable in business, you’re moving backward. I’ve chewed on it for a

I love reading, yet I go in spurts with it. Because books serve a larger purpose in my life which is loving to learn.  If

One of the keys to building a thriving business and cohesive team is equipping high-performing employees with essential leadership skills. Yet, leadership development often falls

I wasn’t sure what to think. The calendar invite I received immediately grabbed 12 hours of my life for four days in a row. What?!?!

Coaching is about birthing new things, things like ideas, mindsets, milestones and achievements. And I get to celebrate these moments, large and small with clients

Communication. It’s something we begin learning as a baby through a cry, a giggle or a smile. Then we develop sounds that turn into words,

I spent last Friday afternoon, finding my best warrior cry, yelling at the top of my lungs in the middle of my living room. Thank

Two years ago, in the midst of figuring out how to be a foster parent, I found myself turning down most of the speaking requests

Welcome to 2025—a fresh page and a clean slate! How are you feeling about the new year so far? There’s something magical about the possibility

As the holidays settle in, I hope you’re surrounded by warmth, comfort, and maybe even a cup of something delicious (hot cocoa, mulled wine, or

As 2024 winds down, many business owners and leaders—like you—are deep into strategic planning, setting goals, or reflecting on the year’s wins and lessons. No

Last week I had a call that went like this: Q: How would we know coaching was successful? A: We could take a two-week vacation

I used to be immersed in hustle culture—where every month felt like an adrenaline-fueled sprint toward a new target. 🎯 In the beginning, it was

Have you ever heard of the concept:  Treat yourself like you would treat a business?  When businesses define who they are, it’s not random. From

remember the sweltering Indiana heat beaming through my windshield. Sweat droplets were forming an orderly little line down the middle of my back, one right

When was the last time you felt uncomfortable, frustrated or overwhelmed? The doozy of the day you had on Friday? Your last phone conversation? This

Imagine being randomly stopped on the street and asked, “Can you name your core values?”. Aside from contemplating the unusual encounter, how would you respond? 

Here we are, the halfway point of 2024. Yikes, did that sneak up on you, too? Do you know your halftime stats for 2024? In sports,

Successful people think differently.  I’ve been fascinated by this since my first summer selling knives in college.  As an 18-year old, my manager was Earl.

I hear the truth about entrepreneurial struggles on a regular basis. My job provides a safe, confidential space for business owners to talk about what’s

At the beginning of this year, I made the decision to take a 6-month hiatus from alcohol. I’ve run across the term “sober curious”, and

Earlier this month I spoke at a conference in Indianapolis and someone asked the question, “Why is it so hard to change habits?” We’ve all

My last email about breaking up with discipline and exchanging it for dedication resulted in SO MANY comments in my inbox! Thank you for the

Have you ever wanted to break up with a word?  For some it’s pronunciation, like moist. (I can see some of you cringing.) It might

How well do you understand your own emotions?  That might seem like a strange question to begin with, but understanding our emotions is a key

When business owners and leaders come to me looking for a coach, it’s usually because their pursuit of success doesn’t feel good right now and

You’ve heard the saying, “People overestimate what they can accomplish in a day and underestimate what they can accomplish in a year.” The last few

I was introduced to the topic through an emerging leader I mentored. In a group discussion, she casually threw out the phrase and immediately all

Motivational workspace with a “Remember Why You Started” sign representing purpose, clarity, and intentional leadership.

If you’ve ever heard me speak, chances are you’ve heard me mention motivation. Just last week I brought it up in networking circles and immediately

Fweeeeetttt! At the sound of the referee’s whistle, the players exit the floor and gather around the coach to regroup. Whether you were an athlete

Halle Simpson standing near historic architecture in Prague, reflecting on stepping outside her comfort zone and personal growth.

When was the last time you invited a new perspective into your life or business? There are comfort zones we know we have and others

You don't have to navigate this season alone. Let's find the way forward, together.