Hello, there! Welcome to the LeadBIG blog where we serve up small bites to spur BIG thinking and inspire BIG performance at the intersection of the art of leadership and the science of business.

Two little words – Aunt Polly – uttered so nonchalantly by a new boss ultimately took my life and career in a new direction. After 20 years of executive leadership, including 15 years as a vice president for Fortune 100 companies, I took off what I now call my corporate charm bracelet.

Seeking to make a sustainable, positive difference around serving people, principles and profits, I founded Braithwaite Innovation Group, a female-owned professional development and consulting firm where my extraordinary business partner, Amy Diederich, and I work with organizations of all sizes and individuals to challenge and inspire thinking at the intriguing intersection of the art of leadership and the science of business.

Throughout my corporate and entrepreneurial careers, I’ve created numerous leadership development programs, some exclusively for women, and have coached hundreds of business leaders to use their heads to manage and their hearts to lead. My first book, Yes You Can!, co-authored with Warren Bennis, was released last year; and I’m now working on my second one, focused on women in business and their relationship with power.

Amy and I launched our newest line of business — elearning — at Get Your BIG On. Before you chuckle at the name, read this inspiring quote by Andrew Carnegie which played a big role in shaping the naming decision:

We describe “getting your big on” as a philosophy, a mindset and a way of life. It’s knowing that small things do make a big difference and knowing that sometimes we hold ourselves back from BIG things because we’re thinking small, afraid to take the next step. At Get Your BIG On , we bring seekers and solvers together to learn and connect so they can lead big, start big, work big and live big.

I’d love to hear from you! Please do send me a note at [email protected]

p.s. We’re big on the power of storytelling as a way to learn and connect. All the names and any other identifying information have been changed in the stories we share.