Ratliff & Taylor Blog

I have a friend. He is a pretty good leader, loves his people, and they know it. Occasionally, however, he lets his emotions get the best of him and says something hurtful to someone. He immediately regrets his actions and apologizes, hoping any damage can be repaired and that amends can be made for his […]

Never underestimate the power of friendships in the workplace. I have heard people say, “We don’t have to be friends to work well together. In fact, we don’t even have to like each other.” That may be true, but where’s the fun in that? Studies show there is a positive correlation between friendships in the […]

Core values are non-negotiable. They define the very essence of who we are as leaders and the cultures we create. They also influence the decisions we make about the individuals we select, promote and retain. Sometimes people, whose values do not align with our own, find their way into our organizations. When this happens, it […]

With 40+ years of experience, Mary’s expertise lies in helping individuals and groups accelerate potential and capacity. She is highly skilled in the facilitation of DiSC, Leader as Coach, and Crucial Conversations. Mary developed a reputation in previous positions as being instrumental in managing large improvement initiatives. She has an executive coaching certification from Progressive’s internal […]

“Following” is “Advanced Leadership”. It is a concept I struggle with occasionally. The day before an extended vacation, my colleague came to me and said, “Enjoy your vacation. We got this!” My insecure side screamed, “No, you need me!” But I knew she was right. In truth, I would follow this team anywhere. Letting go […]

“What I do matters.” While traveling in Portugal this week, I encountered a young waiter who displayed great pride in his restaurant, care for his customers, and who epitomized the very concept of servant leadership. Not only did he take the time to learn about each of us and our tastes, he even asked the […]

The people in my organization both intimidate and inspire me. Every person is wicked smart, motivated, and exceptional at what they do. The thought of leading such an accomplished group is occasionally unsettling. At the same time, I am inspired every day to become the best leader possible. I owe them that much and more. […]

Jamie Lewis Smith, Ph.D. is a Senior Leadership Consultant and Executive Coach with Ratliff & Taylor. She has 15+ years of experience guiding the growth and development of leaders, teams, and organizations across private sector, nonprofit, and governmental agencies. Jamie leverages her background as a Clinical Psychologist and deep expertise in leadership and organizational assessment to design and deliver […]

My father passed away six months ago. Since then, I have been trying to make sense of his life and its application to my own. Dad never left the small town where he was born. After growing up there, I left and never looked back. Today I am attending the annual fall festival in my […]

Yan is an executive coach with Ratliff & Taylor and has been leading strategy and execution with global cross-functional teams in a Fortune 500 environment for 20 years, in both the U.S. and China. She brings extensive experience in P/L management, strategy, supply chain management, global product line management, acquisition, and integration. Yan is known […]