Sometimes, Leadership Means Letting Go

December 8, 2023
Posted in

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go.”– Hermann Hesse For a strong-willed person who has put their heart, soul, sweat and tears into building a business, the hardest part can be handing the reins over to your successor. After all, you know every piece of the business, often having created it with your own hands and continual networking.  For those who are taking up the torch, it can be difficult to carry forward if the company pioneer is not ready to let go. Yet, there is so much to win by passing…

READ MORE

Digging Deeper into Your ‘Why’ Truly Opens Your Eyes

November 21, 2023
Posted in

Why –These three letters carry so much power when you ask this simple question the right way. It is not a one-step process that you can sort out in a single minute. To truly understand your motivation, you need to look beyond the first easy answer. The rewards from this small exercise have the power to light up your life. When I was looking for a way to get back into shape, I started telling family and friends that I was considering becoming a triathlete. That drew a mixed reaction. Most people thought it sounded like a great idea; a…

READ MORE

Tapping into the power of YOUR human capital

October 16, 2023
Posted in

“Human potential is the same for all. Your feeling, ‘I am of no value,’ is wrong. Absolutely wrong…We all have the power of thought.” – Dalai Lama Virtually every person in a business or a family – or a business family – has a talent that can improve the lives of the people around them. It may be a technical expertise, a savvy sales skill or the ability to ask a tough question when needed. Having that variety of voices at a table can make us all richer in business and in life. What is the equation that draws out…

READ MORE

Why You Need a Good Coach on Your Team (as Much as You Need an Accountant)

August 1, 2023
Posted in

“Discover your gift, develop your gift, and then give it away every day.“ – Don Meyer, former Lipscomb men’s college basketball coach As much as we like to think that we are self-sufficient, there are some points when you need another person to help you succeed. Whether you rely on a detail-oriented accountant or an insightful lawyer, you know when it’s time to bring in a fresh set of eyes with a specific expertise. A coach can offer the same type of specialized skill. Before you balk, let me explore further. A journey of self-discovery is a lot like designing an…

READ MORE

Why Every Generation Offers A Valuable Voice – Regardless of Age

July 4, 2023
Posted in

“I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So, if I’m going to learn I must do it by listening.” – Broadcaster Larry King In most families, it is assumed that wisdom flows from the top down to the younger generation. After all, our elders have more experience in the world and have built businesses and careers that deserve respect. However, the world is ever-changing and trends that affect shopping habits and how we communicate can evolve in a few short years. If you’ve ever tried to navigate a new smartphone, you’ll know that…

READ MORE

Finding the Right Voice to Propel You Forward

June 15, 2023
Posted in

“Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses.” –   George Washington Carver When most of us decide to change our ways to have more success, we stick with the plan for a few days or weeks before reverting back to our old routines. Our inner voice tells us it’s safer to stick with what we know and makes us afraid to reach out more boldly for what we want. That tiny saboteur can do a lot of damage. What if you replaced it with someone who believes in you? A real person can become…

READ MORE

Celebrating Wins Fuel Future Successes

May 1, 2023
Posted in

“The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don’t celebrate those, they can pass you by.” – Supermodel Alek Wek One summer, when my girls were four, six and eight, they experienced Dr. Shufelt’s Kid’s Triathlon, which was designed to “encourage kids to be active and healthy while introducing them to the joy of triathlon.” The highlight of the day was seeing my girls receiving their medals and standing on the podium with a great sense of accomplishment. I will never forget the proud grins on their faces; the way they carried…

READ MORE

Capturing Your Defining Moments

March 29, 2023
Posted in

“There is no one defining moment that kills you or makes you. It’s never over.” – Actor Sinbad (David Adkins) In every person’s life, there are moments where you feel completely alive. And, there are other vital experiences that make us feel scared, alone or unworthy; they are often the moments that challenge us and force us to define who we are and what we will do to thrive. I encourage clients to recall your life’s most meaningful defining moments, then discern which values would have helped you in those moments (or which values DID help you, if that were…

READ MORE

Do You Feel Overshadowed By Your Family Tree?

February 28, 2023
Posted in

Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one. —Unknown If you come from a family that has been successful or has strong personalities within its dynamics, you may feel like you live in the shadows. It’s more common than most people realize. When this happens, we often feel pushed to adopt the values of the patriarchs and matriarchs who have come before us. That can make us quell our own voices and it sets up the next generation to struggle and even possibly fail. My only focus as a child…

READ MORE

What’s Important Now? (also known as WIN!)

January 3, 2023
Posted in

“Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.“ – Tony Robbins I love listening to motivational speakers for inspiration. A few of my favorites are Brené Brown, Byron Katie, Dalai Lama, Siri Lindley, Simon Sinek, Tony Robbins and Marianne Williamson. If you’re looking for fresh wisdom, I would recommend each one of them. Recently I came across another one—American football coach-turned motivational speaker Lou Holtz. He surprised me with his simple yet powerful insight. If you’re not familiar with him, Holtz is one of the most successful coaches in…

READ MORE

Bottom-line Questions and How They Ground You

December 1, 2022
Posted in

“The bottom line is to have fun and enjoy life.” – Actress Rekha The holidays can be a hard time for some people but like it says at the end of this article: “All the darkness in the world cannot put out the light of a single candle. It will shine. Like that candle, you can find your light, too.” When we’re trying to do something challenging, we increase our odds of success when we know ourselves: our personal strengths; values; passions and fears; our intimate reasons for doing what we do; and our action steps for achieving our goals.…

READ MORE

Forming New Habits – 66 Days to Retrain Yourself

November 1, 2022
Posted in

“A habit cannot be tossed out the window; it must be coaxed down the stairs one step at a time.” -Mark Twain Research tells us that it takes an average of 66 days for a behavior to become a habit. At first, that may sound like too long to wait for a reward of adopting an approach that you know is good for you. Consider the alternative: a lifetime of sticking with an approach that you know doesn’t work. Isn’t it worth investing the time and effort to create a new habit of positivity instead? Creating new habits takes will…

READ MORE

The High Cost of Miscommunication (and 4 Reasons Why It Happens)

September 14, 2022
Posted in

It can happen in a fraction of a second. All it takes is a shrug, a sigh, or a small signal of body language to turn a well-intentioned conversation into an unhealthy one. Did it really mean what you thought it did?  Have you ever been in a situation where you stopped a conversation because you saw your sister roll her eyes and you thought, “There she goes again, judging what I say and thinking she’s better than me.”  Or maybe you made a quick judgment after reading – or misreading — someone’s body language. In doing so, you take…

READ MORE

Change the ‘Me’ to ‘We’ 

August 10, 2022
Posted in

“Life is about perspective and how you look at something…ultimately, you have to zoom out.” Bumble CEO Whitney Wolf Heard When we shift our focus from ourselves to others, our lives become richer. We begin to see that we are not the center of the universe, and that we need each other. We open our hearts and our arms, and we allow love to fill us up. In doing so, our lives become more fulfilling and meaningful. I’d like to share a little sample from my new book, in this chapter I look deeper into this important life lesson. In…

READ MORE

The Gift of Little Silver Boxes – To You and To Others

July 13, 2022
Posted in

In my new book, one of the interesting ideas I explore is how we can expand our world by performing simple acts of kindness to others. I believe kindness creates a ripple effect that has the power to change lives. It also talks about how kindness is often contagious, prompting others to pay it forward. When we are kind to others, we not only make their day brighter, but also brighten our own day. A few years ago, I was sitting in an airport terminal, waiting for my flight when I noticed some sort of conflict happening at the boarding…

READ MORE

Privilege versus Entitlement – What Makes the Difference?

June 22, 2022
Posted in

It’s a funny thing, privilege. You might not even know you have it until you’re made aware of it. And even then, it can be hard to see. Privilege is like an invisible force field, protecting you from the everyday struggles that others must endure. It’s an advantage that you didn’t ask for and that you can’t control. But just because you didn’t ask for it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t acknowledge it. In fact, acknowledging your privilege is an important step in creating a more just and equitable world. So the next time someone calls you out on your privilege,…

READ MORE

The Value of Communication

May 12, 2022
Posted in

Many people underestimate the importance of communication. After all, it seems like a pretty simple concept – just exchanging information between two people. However, effective communication is actually a complex process that involves several skills. In short, communication is essential for both our personal and professional lives. Without it, we would have a hard time building relationships, developing new ideas, and achieving our goals. I look at how important communication is in different aspects of life in this chapter from my new upcoming book: It can happen in a fraction of a second. All it takes is a shrug, a…

READ MORE

Giving Gratitude Across the Generations

April 13, 2022
Posted in

“Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, movement and action has an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than a parent.” Bob Keeshan (AKA Captain Kangaroo) In the midst of growing up, it is easy to lose sight of the lessons we pick up from our parents. So many of our habits and principles arise from their guidance.  If you haven’t thanked them yet, what are you waiting for? When my father retired, he became a steady presence in the house and I had a chance to discover who…

READ MORE

Fine tuning your affirmations to empower you

March 16, 2022
Posted in

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. — Ralph Waldo Emerson To “affirm” something is to declare that it is true. In the context of self- development, affirmations are statements of truths that we want to draw deeply into ourselves and our lives: truths whose energy we want to absorb wholeheartedly, and, ultimately, pass on to others.  To generate the most impact, we repeat these statements aloud or silently, over and over again, until they become an integral part of who we are. I also call them incantations, although some people prefer the term mantra.…

READ MORE

Disarm Your Inner Critic (Before It Sabotages You) 

February 16, 2022
Posted in

Perhaps you are familiar with the Cherokee parable of the Good Wolf vs. Bad Wolf. It goes something like this: A Cherokee elder was teaching his young grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a vicious fight between two wolves. One is evil. He represents anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good. He represents joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you and…

READ MORE

An Interview with Danielle and Writing Her New Book.

January 12, 2022
Posted in

I am excited to share the journey of my newest book with you. I have wanted this project for a long time, and it’s finally coming out in May of 2022. My new book will help me share the wisdom passed down through generations and make it accessible for everyone! Please read about my writing journey and discover what my new book is all about.  Why are you writing this book? The journey to writing this book began in 2016 when I helped my family write a book of family values.  That was a 2 year process and helping my…

READ MORE
family harmony

How to Promote Family Harmony Over the Holidays

December 17, 2021
Posted in

The holidays are a wonderful opportunity to get the family together and enhance connections between everyone. It also encourages connection among generations of families and teaches respect and problem-solving skills. Understanding how you want your values to be represented within the unit or family dynamic is the first step toward establishing a sense of family harmony and togetherness for the future. What is Family Harmony? Understanding and appreciating one another are the first steps toward family harmony. This can be done in many ways, such as through communication, problem-solving skills or simply spending time together. When we come from a…

READ MORE

A Foolproof Formula for Increasing Family Harmony during the Holidays

November 10, 2021
Posted in

What’s life like around your house? Maybe you spend most of your time sharing joyful moments, or perhaps you’re stuck arguing over the same old issues. Conflicts are a natural part of family life, and they can even be beneficial when handled constructively. On the other hand, a family that knows how to express love and pull together has advantages. You enjoy more peace and happiness, and you feel gratified knowing that your children learn how to thrive as adults. You can experience greater family harmony starting today as we prepare ourselves for visiting family over the holidays. Use these…

READ MORE

Thanksgiving Every Day – How Gratitude Attracts More Blessings

October 8, 2021
Posted in

Why wait until Thanksgiving to express your gratitude? You have the luxury of living your joyous life every day of the year. So make it a point to recognize your blessings and remind yourself that showing gratitude for all you already have only does more to attract further blessings into your life. Here are five ways that show gratitude attracts more abundance into your life:   1- You’ll be thankful for the little things. When you’re in a positive mindset, you’ll learn to appreciate the little things. The sweetest blessings come in the smallest forms. Once you learn to love, recognize, and be thankful…

READ MORE

Are You Feeding Into Your Younger Child’s Sense of Entitlement?

September 22, 2021
Posted in

It’s natural to want your children to succeed at any age, but overindulging or sheltering them can backfire. Some experts talk about an entitlement epidemic, making it more difficult for the next generation of adults to develop realistic expectations and interact with others. In any case, over-parenting can undermine a child’s self-confidence and make them less resilient. What is the best way to balance caring for your child while helping them be independent and appreciative? Find out how to turn an entitlement mentality into healthy self-respect with these proven strategies. Strategies to Use with Your Child At an early age,…

READ MORE

Financial Literacy: What is it?

July 16, 2021
Posted in

Financial literacy is when someone has a prevailing ability to conduct finances effectively. Having a good understanding of financial literacy implies you can handle finances and understand the value of money. Having a good knowledge of financial basics will allow you to make smarter decisions concerning your money. You can be self-sufficient in economic decisions. A very basic understanding of financial literacy is: I know which finances matter, such as investments, debt management, and paying bills. It’s a good start knowing and understanding a few financial basics. And, if you want to achieve financial stability, you need to apply that…

READ MORE

Seven of the most important things young adults need to understand about Financial Planning

June 14, 2021
Posted in

Unfortunately, most schools and colleges don’t teach personal finance courses. Many young adults do not receive the primary financial education they need to manage their money, apply for credit, and stay out of debt. Fortunately, some school boards are starting to see the significant need for personal finance courses and are beginning to correct this problem.  We will discuss seven of the most important things young adults need to understand about Financial Planning in this article. Though this article is geared towards young adults, these financial tips can help anyone achieve their financial goals and take advantage of saving and…

READ MORE

The three dimensions of trust and the art of building it

May 17, 2021
Posted in

The foundation of any healthy relationship is trust. However, virtually everyone can recall a scenario where trust has been broken. We often use different terms when we talk about trust, regardless of how crucial it is. Despite its all-encompassing meaning, trust can refer to many other things. As defined in the dictionary as “firm belief in the reliability,” trust is seen as an intangible. It is one of the most sensitive and crucial success drivers that is hard to build. It is essential from three viewpoints, business, culture, and people.  Anyone can use the power of trust to build the gap…

READ MORE
wealth transfer

4 common ways families transfer wealth and how to avoid negative entitlement and problems.

April 15, 2021
Posted in

When it comes to wealth, it can feel like a curse at times rather than a blessing. Making the wrong choices with your wealth transfers can have some long-term unfavourable effects on your family. Incidentally, the stress of managing assets in your lifetime and then beyond can feel complicated. The biggest concern for families is granting a sense of entitlement. Families don’t want wealth to smother ambition, self-esteem, or purpose in the next generation. Still, the harmful effects of wealth transfers are often unclear to families when they sit down to work out their plans.  When parents make informed decisions…

READ MORE
Five Big Challenges to overcome when Transferring Wealth

Five Big Challenges to overcome when Transferring Wealth (and why you need an advisor)

March 15, 2021
Posted in

Intro   It’s never easy to start addressing wealth transfer issues due to emotions and conflicts. However, if managing wealth transfer is properly done and communicated to everyone in the family, it can benefit future generations. Wealth can get complicated, when seen as a family business, property, or merely the moral destitution of savings. Learn more about the five significant challenges everyone faces with wealth transfer and what can be done for the best results.   Challenge #1 – Failure to Plan   The biggest challenge that families face when making a smooth handover to the next generation is not…

READ MORE

How to Have a Successful Family Meeting

February 15, 2021
Posted in

It can be a bit daunting to get started when calling in a family meeting. We understand that holding family meetings is something we should do regularly to connect, solve problems, and develop a family vision. Family meetings can help to strengthen our initial bonds and make plans for the future. However, it can feel like a huge task to get your own family started due to emotions, boundaries, and even the idea of organizing your own. Holding a family meeting without focus could lead to discussions that lack purpose or feel chaotic. If you approach your family meetings with…

READ MORE

Why are Family Meetings Important?

January 18, 2021
Posted in

When was the last time you had a family meeting? Families of all backgrounds celebrate holidays, accomplishments and even in times of mourning come together as a family. You might remember your parents setting time aside to discuss weekend plans or the adoption of a new pet. No matter what the occasion or topic of discussion, the importance of having family meetings is valuable. It strengthens the family unit, and makes every family member feel a part of something. You might think, “We get together every holiday. We can talk then”. Maybe we shy away from saying “we should get together and talk”…

READ MORE

How to make the holidays more meaningful through conversation

December 22, 2020
Posted in

The Holiday season is traditionally a time when we all get together with our families and celebrate while having meaningful conversations. With 2020 not looking the same, more people are still finding ways to come together, such as a simple phone call or a zoom meeting. There are always ways we can connect and share discussions. By encouraging talk with questions from the past, present, and future, we can enrich the bonds we share.  The important thing is to connect with our loved ones over the holidays with those meaningful conversations. Even if it’s just a simple phone call, coming…

READ MORE
How to Leave a Family Legacy by Danielle Saputo

How to Live Your Family Legacy

March 8, 2019
Posted in

Your legacy is not what you leave others…it’s what you give, create and contribute TODAY while you are here that then happens to live on. Questions to consider when thinking about legacy: What is your wish for the future? What is your wish for the family? How do you want to be remembered? Will your legacy be one of closeness or distance? Family Legacy can mean the accomplishment, beliefs, actions and guidance you demonstrate in your life that carry forward to future generations in a fashion which allows those family members to adopt and adapt them to make their lives…

READ MORE
How to Leverage Family Wealth by Danielle Saputo

How to Leverage Family Wealth

March 8, 2019
Posted in

I’d like to introduce you to the concept of Total Wealth. Wealth is measured by much more then money. Total Wealth = Financial capital (financial resources) + Human capital (individual family members) + Family capital (family members relationships) + Social capital (charity & community) + Intellectual capital (governance, policies and expertise) Adding to the understanding that successful intergenerational wealth transfer may or may not involve the transfer of an operating business to the next generation, wealth itself can be understood as more than pure financial assets. The family’s financial capital is a tool to support the growth of its human,…

READ MORE
Are you preparing the assets for the family by Danielle Saputo

Are You Preparing the Family for the Assets or Just the Assets for the Family?

March 7, 2019
Posted in

I encourage you to take a moment to consider the following statements:  In families the process is greater then the outcome. Wealth is so much more then money. If the narrative is not written – people will write their own (transparency and communication is key.) The skills it took to create the financial wealth are not the same skills needed to transition it. Families are an eco system – ripples impact the entire pond – everyone has expectations and biases. We need to identify them and manage them. Decisions are easier when you know your values. Tough talk matters and…

READ MORE