One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned as a leader is that perspective is everything. You can sit in meetings, read reports, and talk strategy all day long, but if you’re only seeing the world from your desk, your view will always be limited.

Recently, I embarked on a journey that’s been years in the making, one that’s focused on something I care deeply about: shaping the next generation of leaders. 

There’s this old-school idea in business that companies are structured like pyramids. You know the one, interns and entry-level employees at the bottom, middle managers in the middle and the CEO sitting right at the top. It’s tidy. It’s linear. And honestly? It’s outdated. 

Let’s be honest, conflict at work is inevitable. You put a bunch of people with different backgrounds, personalities, and habits in one place. Sparks are bound to fly now and then. But I’ve learned that the conflict itself isn’t the real issue. The real challenge is how you respond to it. 

I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career. Some small, some expensive, some that still make me cringe a little when I think about them. But here’s the thing, I’ve learned way more from those missteps than I ever did when things were smooth sailing. And now, I get to share those lessons with companies and teams across the country. 

I’m going to say something that might make you pause; Working hard isn’t always enough. You can be the smartest person in the room, grinding behind the scenes and still get passed over for opportunities.

Most people work to live; they don’t live to work. That simple idea shapes how I lead. Because if you’re not thinking about the human side of your team, you’re missing the whole point of leadership.

There’s one moment in my career that I can say, without hesitation, completely changed my trajectory.

There was a moment, years ago, that I’ll never forget. My team sat me down and said, “Mark, you’re the problem.” 

Oof. Not exactly what you hope to hear as a leader. 

Money can be complicated – but being intentional about it doesn’t have to be.

I’ve always believed in the power of connection. Whether it’s business, leadership or life in general—success comes down to the relationships we build. But somewhere along the way, we’ve started to forget the simple joy of talking to people, of meeting someone new just for the sake of it. That’s where Mark Meets a Million comes in. 

We’ve all been there. A problem lands on your desk, emotions run high and before you know it, you’ve reacted—maybe a little too quickly. I recently had an experience that reminded me why taking a step back before making a decision is one of the most valuable skills a leader (or anyone in business) can develop.