In our world of technology, it is easy for folks to feel isolated. Yes, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn can help, but nothing takes the place of personal touch-points.

Many of us are only scratching the surface of our true potential, and I hope to help deliver that spark for others to unleash it! We can never afford to settle comfortably into cruise control and rest on our laurels.

Always be kind to the front line, whether in person or a call center. Often their hands are tied and they are doing their jobs with the tools they have been given. Show them empathy.

What magical moments are you creating for your customers that differentiates you from your competitors?

When asked, can your buyers describe the moments and articulate your differences?

Can your staffers articulate them? Your supply partners?

Instead of trying to ignore or change the thing that makes you different: Feature it!

Growing up on a farm there were expectations to work hard and be grateful. It’s amazing how many times I’ve leaned on these two traits to push through barriers and times of challenge. Get back out there and get your boots muddy and do it with a smile.

That’s very interesting, isn’t it? The same holiday season and yet two opposite responses to it-pure joy, and all the enthusiasm of getting a root canal.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Innovators are often disruptors with ideas that challenge the status quo. By the very nature of those ideas, you will receive lots of feedback. Listen to it all, evaluate whether it makes sense to you, use what helps and forget the rest.

I am no workaholic. But the truth is, our clients still need us, bills have to be paid and we still need to help our teams flourish. That means that there is at least some unfinished work to be done during this holiday season and there’s no time like the present, no pun intended.

Fill yourselves up, plant yourselves in that and make your roots deep, and ensure that your heart is always full.

So, tomorrow, when you’re waking up in the morning and you’re maybe hitting the snooze button a couple of times before grabbing a scone and a cup of coffee and heading out the door, take a minute and be thankful that you have a place to go that needs exactly what you bring to the table.

Growth is something that I view as a key way to derive meaning in life. Every day we should try to challenge ourselves to get better in some way even if just a little bit. Compounding incremental small change has incredible results and is also how great companies are built.

Keep in mind that the only people who don’t experience any fear are people who are never challenging themselves or striving for a role that stretches them, whatever that role may be.

Don’t teeter on the edge of what you are meant to do. Take a leap of faith. Get to know yourself. Dream again. And as you do, be thankful that you live in a country where, once you know what you want to try, you can actually take concrete steps toward it and eventually be whatever you want to be.

You, the reader, are also on my gratitude list. I so appreciate this tremendous opportunity to write for you and focus each week on talented men and women. I hope these columns have been encouraging and helpful to you as you rise.

Believe in yourself. If you don’t it’s difficult for others to believe in you. Trust your instincts and you will never regret it. Simply because you are a woman you will have much more to navigate. Have confidence.

When you take on a challenge like this, don’t look back, look forward. Keep your finger on the pulse on what customers, associates and channel partners want and need. Then, execute. And do it bravely while still being circumspect about how things are going.

If you’re interested in something, raise your hand and ask for it. Women are often fantastic advocates for others, but not always for ourselves. Over the years, I am grateful to have found mentors who really encouraged me to have those conversations. It’s made all the difference.

The journey is a marathon, not a sprint and sometimes things might not always go as planned. That’s OK. But having that long-term vision of where you want to be 5 years down the line will help you stay on course.

There are always noticeable clues that can tell you that your on the brink of losing a customer. Pay attention. Monitor closely. Act swiftly before the relationship sours.

The sooner you realize the customer is about to be lost, the quicker and better you can act to reverse it.

Even the most influential people have hard times, but the comeback is always better than the setback.

I had a great time visiting with Diane on her podcast! Listen to the whole interview here.

I don’t have a huge sample size to draw a conclusion from, but I can tell you unequivocally that when I fall in love with a brand I talk about it a lot to anyone who will listen.

Leaders transform organizations when they model the changes they want to see in their own actions — when their followers see them doing the right things and not just talking about them.

Seek out what you love and go for it. That’s what I did. I set goals and pursued them. Get a good education, seek the right mentors, insert yourself in the right situations, make yourself relevant. Believe in yourself. You can be your own best friend or your worst enemy.

Find the right people. Build trust throughout your organization. Give everyone the authority to elate your customers.

Alignment leadership is designed to give everyone in an organization a target so that their win, their success, is within their control. It’s really meant to turn people loose to pursue a common purpose.

Everything can always be solved with great people AND only great people can solve hard problems.

Most important, be flexible and listen to your instincts. It’s been my experience that when you are clear about your intentions, the universe will align to help you.

Never be afraid to ask a question because a smart, well-phrased question makes you look confident and informed – not stupid, as so many assume or fear their questions will seem.

Now that you’ve zeroed in on the size and type of board you’ll target and knowing what strengths you’ll offer them, the next step is to polish those skills. As my mom always said, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” So be patient with yourself. Things will work out.

Board doors are opening for many aspirants who would never have been considered before. Stay encouraged.

In your professional career, you have to say “yes” more often than you say “no.” Every time you say no to an opportunity, you are building your own ceiling.

Lift as you rise. You are never too early in your career to mentor, inspire and assist others.

Follow up on all of this by asking what do your colleagues think? Then, go a step further. After reflecting on your own, have some close friends and colleagues take the same audit on your behalf, imagining you in the boardroom. How do their impressions of you compare with your own?

The advice that I have for women who want to rise in their careers or start their own entrepreneurial venture is to think big. Believe in yourself and believe that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Don’t be limited by other people or yourself. Be the hardest working person in the room.

Corporate board seats are scarce and competition is fierce. But you don’t have to sit passively just wishing and hoping. There are actions you can take. In fact, the “right” initiatives can immeasurably increase your odds of landing a seat.

Don’t listen to that voice telling you “I’m not good enough.” As a matter of fact, embrace those thoughts and use them to push yourself forward. Be fearless. Whatever you do, don’t quit. The world needs you in the workforce.

Listen to your heart. Ms. Paley felt stifled by conventional teaching methods. But instead of quitting, she used her deep-seated talents to bring innovation and new techniques into teaching.

Many Boomers may remember Dana Carvey’s impersonations of Mr. Perot on “Saturday Night Live” or his somewhat quirky interviews with Larry King in the 1990’s. But here’s what I know for sure: This man was no quitter.

Life can be tiring and challenging, especially as a woman, but don’t let that stop you from being a well-rounded leader. In my opinion, a respected leader is always involved and inspires others to do the same.

Today, on LinkedIn, Northcutt describes herself as “One time rocket scientist, sometime lawyer, full time women’s rights activist.”

It’s OK to know that you don’t have all the answers and to admit it – but it’s not OK to be totally oblivious of the fact.

The American work ethic has made us the greatest country on the planet. That said, if our employees don’t take time off from work, stress, poor health and burnout surface and that’s bad for business.

My first manager at Cisco, Diane Beamer, told me to do whatever I needed to personally to ensure I brought my best self to work. I extend that to everyone who ever works for me. It leads to a happier, more fulfilled team.

Above all, be brave. If you determine that you are in the wrong place, walk away on your terms. You’ll be fine. Chalk it up to a great life lesson and never, ever look back.

Getting invited into the right “rooms” is still the key to success, right?

And how do we make that happen today? One word: Generosity.

Young, talented and ambitious women need to realize their own potential and be forever unstoppable. Believe that you can conquer the world and not take any No’s. If you believe in it, with passion, perseverance and the complete belief in yourself, you will get there.

It was great discussing the growing trend of getting women on corporate boards on Fox Business News!

Whether you are trying to sell an idea to your colleagues or trying to make your mark in a competitive industry, it is important to be aware of your image and business reputation.

If you want truly great results, you have to push yourself. Discomfort is a necessary path to excellence. No shortcuts.

Don’t make the men in charge of your organization your enemy. You will need champions, trusted advisers to help you interpret the business landscape, inside the firm and out. And you can’t be mentored by an adversary.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, they are your best learning tool. Learning from other’s experiences is extremely important to help shape yours (mentors are a must). Even when things seem to go right, think of how they could go wrong and always have a back up plan (or seven) in place.

The network of friends you have now – teammates, colleagues, siblings, etc. can be a very powerful group. Don’t underestimate the power of female friendships in growing your professional network. Find like-minded people who like to do what you like to do and keep them close!

Believe in yourself whilst being humble, learn from everyone around you, even those who aren’t at first glance aspirational to you. Expect setbacks, they always come, condition yourself to learn from them.

Diversity is a mindset. It is not about having more representation for the sake of appearing diverse. If we don’t have more diverse voices in our companies, we may not be making the right decisions.

Every day we make deposits or withdrawals with our words, actions, and decisions. You don’t want a negative account balance when you need to make some withdrawals!

In hindsight, I believe I learned much more from working in the field during the time I spent running my father’s business than I would have in the classroom, had I pursued a full-time college degree.

I firmly believe the more time you can spend in that intersection where your passions lie and where your aptitude is, the more fun you’re going to have and the more successful you’re going to be in your job.

Take some time today to look around you. Pay close attention to the conversations you have and the countenance of those you are conversing with. Not everyone in trouble will reach out to you or even look like they are struggling. But they are there. Close by you.

Get mentors. Not just one, but many. Ones who are doing what you want to do, ones who took another path. Ones who look like you, ones who do not. Mentors who truly care about you and your success. Life is a team sport, and everyone in your circle can help you reach your goals.

It’s the graduation season again. Hopeful men and women will walk across the stage and then step out into the future. If you are one of those, what will you find there?

I’m no soothsayer, but let me make some predictions anyway.

The takeaway here is that your name and your reputation is everything, and whether or not an opportunity comes your way depends on what is said about you in a time or place that you have no control over.

Everybody fails. Everybody falls. We are all human, after all. But mercy lifts us. Forgiveness allows us to move on and try again.

One of the biggest pieces of advice I have for women business leaders is to not try to be Superwoman. As a business owner, wife, and mother, there have been times where I have gotten caught up in the myth that I have to “do it all.”

Surround yourself with people who will uplift, support, and encourage you no matter what is going on in your life!

Over those five difficult years I slowly emerged from the ashes and found my way. I discovered the pain had made me a more empathetic and less judgmental person. Moreover, I came to forgive my former husband and most importantly, myself.

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” You need to buy a ticket to win the lottery. You need to put yourself in a position to have luck.

It’s amazing how much support you can get if you simply ask. Nearly every entrepreneur has had a helping hand along their journey, so they understand the position you’re in. The only reason this doesn’t happen is because people are too afraid to ask for help.

Never stop learning. If you ever think that you are the smartest person in the room, then you need to change rooms.

Resilience was my shelter. Make it yours too, Stay with it. Fix your self-talk so that if nobody else is around you can make yourself believe that it’s all OK and that you can still win. Find at least one friend who feels the same way. Then, get going.

I’ve always found building and making things exciting, but it was also important to build and make things with purpose. It wasn’t just about being creative, it was about making things better – and most importantly – understanding people and thinking about how people fit into those things.

I have heard it said that love is something you do. No better example of that than Herb Kelleher.

I always was told “Do more than what is asked of you” and “Ask a lot of questions.” I always considered my career my own business. It’s no secret that the world is full of competition. I needed to stand out. I wanted to surprise people by giving them more than what they asked.

The great leaders that we admire are always inclusive. We often mention Kennedy and MLK in the same breath, but their styles were very different. Yet, they found their own unique way to get it done. And they made us believe that we could do it.

The Mom Project is the career destination for moms. Through our digital marketplace, we connect a community of over 100k women with opportunities at top companies like Etsy and AT&T. Our vision is to design a future where women never have to choose between their families or their career.

Right before my friend’s mother passed away, he asked her what she would have done differently in her life. Her simple answer, “Eat more cake.” Those words have stuck with me for over 15 years.

Be your own advocate.

Feel the success that consistency brings.

The best managers think like teachers. They look at the challenges the next assignment presents and identify opportunities for their team to learn and grow.

Don’t let their narrow view of the world steal your joy in what you are accomplishing. You deserve to be there. Relish it!

Whether it be with your colleagues, customers, prospects or just when networking, show up fully. Care about people.

Follow These Leaders offers nuggets of wisdom thoughtfully and carefully collected spanning leadership, career and life skills, and even customer loyalty. Collected from Jill Griffin’s lifetime of friendships and great mentors, it’s a must-read.

Don’t judge a book by its cover. Think out of the box with your people.

Character is who we really are when no one else is around.

We have to be intentional if we are going to create an environment where people can comfortably say they were wrong.

Retirement needs to be retooled.

So, you want to be a great leader? Hire people you love. Get to know them. Celebrate their differences.

Ask someone who has done it before, it’s good to learn from your own mistakes, but it costs less to learn from others.

Don’t shut off your dreamer.

Trust your gut this year. Always. Make it a habit. If something feels wrong, it probably is.

“If you could wave a magic wand,” someone once asked me, “What one thing would you change?”

Successful people are always looking to offer a helping hand, a boost and a leg up to others.

The number of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields account for just 22% of the workforce and are leaving in large numbers each year.

Know your strengths. Embracing who you are will allow your authenticity to shine.

When women can see themselves around that all-important board table, it sends a message:  I can do it too.

Regret is a lot worse than failure. Wherever you are today and in whatever your circumstances, be fearless. Don’t play it safe.

Diversity and inclusion cannot be treated as an add-on. It’s an integral part of how we do business.

My executive team and I were in a unique position to build a dynamic team the right way from the start. We were committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

Even in our “let’s just text’ world, sitting across the table and having a dialogue is as powerful as ever.

Gratitude is the safety net that allows us to move at the pace we need to move while also being OK with where we are

Failure isn’t the worst thing. Turns out losing my job is what inspired me to start focusing on my own business.

Get up every day and do everything you can to build a moat around your health, your finances, and your career.

Always keep your eyes of the big picture and what it takes to achieve it.

CEO’s need to set a tone, establish the expectation, and model it.

I had the pleasure of moderating ACG’s panel on how to land a board seat at the Westwood Country Club in Austin.

Let’s face it, men well outnumber women in tech. What can women leaders do to help other women rise?

This series has been an effort to spotlight these women, their stories and their successes. It has been my privilege to share them with you.

If you pick the right gig, the team will ride it out with you during hardship. This builds loyalty like nothing else.

In regard to diversity, some companies are far ahead of the curve. Pizza Hut is definitely one of those.

Pizza Hut is thriving in large part because of the amazing women they have recruited and promoted.

Our reputation might be our most important asset in our careers.

When business became global, extensive travel became the norm.

Learning new things should be part of your daily routine. Be proactive about it, and embrace it all.

Diversity ensures that new ideas surface, and allows all people to have a voice at the table.

With the heavy emphasis on diversity and inclusion, it seems un-American somehow to talk about class.

If you aren’t on LinkedIn now, this is a great time to build your first footprint.

To make the most of your profile, you need the right tools.

“A woman’s natural aptitude for intuition, diplomacy and values-based decision making are critical to leadership.”

I have always been a big fan of Harley- Davidson. The customer loyalty they instill in their buyers is legendary.

On this Labor Day, let’s hope that all workers who struggle in our world will win the day.

Legendary leaders move away from the pack and aren’t afraid to take some arrows in the back for doing so.

The only people who aren’t being challenged are people who are not trying anything.

Aretha Franklin’s music and career choices exemplified a life lived big and bold. She taught me how to empower myself.

The bottom line? You’ve worked hard. You’ve educated yourself. And you’re worth it. Now, go ask for it.

A break to think things through might be the best time saver of all.

Most of us underestimate the impact of sending an actual note rather than an electronic text or email.

Everyone is unique and has special talents – the key is to find yours and execute on what you are good at.

I’ve learned throughout the years is that I can handle much more than I expected.

I visited my closest Best Buy and I have to say that I was not disappointed.

My advice is to ask questions to learn, seek mentors, and accept coaching and feedback.

Hurdles can be our best friends because they force us to stop and face the fact that it’s time to change something.

Sometimes the ingredients of success are counterintuitive.

Step out and step up to your next exciting challenge. You’ve got this. You have all the gifts and talent you need.

Step out and step up to your next exciting challenge. You’ve got this. You have all the gifts and talent you need.

It was a joy to return to C-Suite TV Best Seller TV to visit with Tayrn!

There’s an undeniable and oft-proven statistic out there: The more diverse an organization, the better it works. Period.

I had so much fun talking to Maureen Anderson about leadership!

In an era where women still struggle to penetrate C-suites and boardrooms, Jill Griffin’s work is a poignant and timely.

Jill is leading the Austin initiative of 2020 Women on Boards, a national campaign dedicated to increasing the percentage of women on corporate boards to 20% by 2020.

Join me on this panel of women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s for a “Return on Inclusion: 4 Generations of Women at Work”

Risk-taking is critical to building a big, audacious career.

You’ve come a long way, baby. But you still have a long way to go.

When it comes to credentials, honesty really is the best policy…

I had so much fun talking to C-Suite and Tara on BestSellerTV.com!

The right mentor can accelerate your career. Take the time to identify some candidates, vet them carefully, soak up their wisdom and act on it.

Apparently the glass ceiling for some women is nonexistent…

Great leaders and great organizations don’t just happen. If you want to build one of those organizations that are growing great leaders, here is a good place to start…

That’s a question Houston business leader, Leisa Holland-Nelson, asked me during a recent interview. I told this story:

Women should be on boards, and they are needed there. That pressure is also opening previously closed doors to allow more women on boards

NACD TEXAS TRICITIES CHAPTER PROGRAM Joint Luncheon with the GHWCC | August 24, 2016

I had so much fun talking to Maureen Anderson about customer loyalty and board seats!

Dear Friends, The Fourth of July has a special place in my heart. 

I’m so excited to be presenting a workshop on “Landing Your Next Board Seat” at @NACD Director Professionalism in Laguna Beach http://ow.ly/Fza0301snPA

Harvey Schachter is a Kingston, Ont.-based writer specializing in management issues. He reviewed the book and has some great insight!

Diversified corporate boards help CEOs build cultures that engage employees and, in turn, ignite the customer loyalty necessary for driving corporate revenue.

Fish where the fish are’ and other tips for landing that board opportunity.

Corporate board seats are scarce and competition is fierce

Austin City Limits (ACL) knows a thing or two about building customer loyalty.  

By Jill Griffin and Marilyn R. Seymann

How do you know whether a brand can be saved? How do you bring it back?

Proud to represent The Moore School of Business

Thanks Broc Romanek for the great write up on the Challenges of Landing a Board Seat!

How the Twelve Laws of Customer Loyalty will transform your business toward greater success.

I recently partnered with Swiftwick, a premier “runner’s sock” made in southern USA!!!!

In the erratic economy of these past years, you probably have customers who have left you. Many had no choice.  It was about the economy — not about you.

Five Questions about Customer Loyalty with Jill Griffin

Trust. It’s in short supply these days and for good reason.