The Hard Truth About Authentic Leadership: It’s All About Caring

by Jonathan Brake | Dec 30, 2024 | 60 Second Question, Communication, People, Processes, Purpose, Strategy, The Five Markers, The Trail Markers, Thoughts From The Trails

Authentic leadership isn’t just about showcasing your strengths—it’s about having the courage to face your shadows. But there’s an even more fundamental truth that many miss: you have to genuinely care. Let me be brutally honest here: if you’re...

The Hidden Cost of Tolerance: Why We Settle for Less Than We Deserve

by Jonathan Brake | Dec 23, 2024 | Communication, People, Processes, Purpose, Strategy, The Trail Markers

There’s a common piece of wisdom in business and life: you get what you intentionally pursue.  Want success? Chase it. Want growth? Seek it. Want excellence? Understand what it is and get after it.  But here’s the uncomfortable truth I’ve discovered:...

Finding Confidence After A Business Collapse: Hope and The Power of Knowing My Purpose

by Jonathan Brake | Dec 15, 2024 | Purpose, Spiritual Insight, Strategy, The Trail Markers, Thoughts From The Trails

The word hope is thrown around a lot – we tend to treat it as more like wishful thinking. I might say ” I hope the weather is nice tomorrow” I am really putting out there that I wish for the weather to be good tomorrow.  Hope = Confident Expectation...

Purpose as a Compass: Rethinking Critical Business Decisions

by Jonathan Brake | Dec 9, 2024 | Purpose, Strategy, The Trail Markers, Thoughts From The Trails

Purpose is more than just a big picture idea it is essential to making even some of the most mundane decisions.   Remember, at The Forged Leader we see purpose as defined by “who am I supposed to serve”?  Here’s the thing about purpose—it’s not a straight...

Why Does My Purpose Even Matter?

by Jonathan Brake | Oct 25, 2024 | Purpose, Strategy, The Five Markers, The Trail Markers, Thoughts From The Trails

I made it about 80% of the way up Black Elk Peak in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Unfortunately, I did not make it to the top – you see 12 months ago I experienced a serious vertigo incident, and it turned out that altitude is no longer my friend. So rather...

Discovering the Purpose of Your Business: Who Are You Supposed To Be Serving?

by Jonathan Brake | Aug 5, 2024 | Purpose, Strategy, The Five Markers

The Power of Purpose: Transforming Your Business Vision Understanding and defining the purpose of your business is crucial. A clear purpose not only provides strategic direction but also aligns your team’s efforts toward a common goal. Successful businesses...