Photo courtesy of Marcelo Uva on Unsplash

What is Holding You Back?

In 2012 Dana Vollmer had positioned herself for Olympic success. As the reigning world champion in the 100-meter butterfly race, announcers identified Dana as a legitimate contender to win at the Olympics. When the race came, Dana did that and more—she set a world record time. Fans roared, Dana smiled and received hugs from teammates, and then she was interviewed by NBC’s Andrea Kremer, where she revealed that her top cap came off when she dove into the water. 

As some of us might already know, professional swimmers wear caps to reduce drag in the water. These caps are so important that you’ve probably never seen a professional swim in a race without wearing a cap, especially a swimmer with long hair. Having a swim cap come off could easily be the difference between winning and losing, which is why most professional swimmers wear not just one cap but two. Although Dana’s top cap came off, her second cap stayed in place, allowing her to avoid disaster, win the gold medal, and set a world record.  

What does wearing swim caps have to do with living and leading well? 

The Drag We Face 

Just like swimmers, we deal with circumstances that inhibit optimal performance. For example, when we open our email and see a few messages that we need to respond to later, a little bit of mental drag occurs. We then remember that we need to set up a trip to the store, but before that, we should probably check in with our significant other about what they need. There goes a little more mental energy. Like the hair of a swimmer, these things aren’t bad, but they can create a mental drag, and when our brains are frequently confronted with all these secondary tasks that we must accomplish, they gets bogged down. Does this sound familiar?  

Swimmers recognize something that leaders need to learn—if we want to perform at our best, we need to minimize things that get in the way of the goal. If we don’t, we shouldn’t be surprised when we don’t swim our best race.  

What is Holding You Back? 

What are the things that are creating a mental drag in your world? We often see two common drag points for leaders: how they structure their days and not taking the needed time to get personally refueled.  

Establish Structure 
 
Leadership life is a whirlwind. We are constantly bombarded with things to do, people who want our time, and fires that need to be addressed. These circumstances come with leadership, but if we don’t establish some space to pull back, think, and create, we are setting ourselves and our teams up for failure.  

How can you address this? Encourage your team to schedule focused times to complete tasks. But don’t just encourage it, model it! Literally, schedule these times on your calendar and then turn on do not disturb. Too many leaders and team members get derailed from deep work because of an email, phone call, or Teams message that can wait. 

Prioritize Wellness 

We can clearly see how physical and mental wellness impacts high-performing athletes. When a running back comes into camp overweight or a basketball player stays out late before a big game, we anticipate they won’t perform as well. But what about leaders? Research reveals that our performance also takes a hit when we don’t prioritize our physical and mental health. Too often, leaders don’t acknowledge the correlation, but our mental sluggishness can have more to do with how we treat our bodies and minds than we might like to admit.  

What can you do? Make your wellness a priority. Don’t cut your sleep short, be conscientious of what you put in your body, and be a champion for healthy mental health practices (e.g., establish boundaries around work and home life, honor the boundaries that others set, make time for things that truly matter to you, do something you enjoy on your days off).  

Final Thought: No one likes to experience a mental drag, but we are in more control of this happening than we sometimes realize. What items are creating a mental drag for you? Make one choice today that reduces the drag.  

Ethos Leadership Group, LLC

Share Today!

Recent Posts

Read More. Lead More.

Give Me a Break
Priorities/Time-Management

Give Me a Break

Racing through whiteout conditions, sub-zero temperatures, and gale-force winds that can cause the wind chill to reach −100°F (−73°C), the

Read More »

Sign Up Today!

Leadership Content Delivered to Your Inbox

We believe leaders need support and encouragement. That’s why we send emails to our clients and friends with content designed to help us renew and refocus as leaders. If you would like to receive our bimonthly emails, sign up today.
Carol Payne

Ethos Team:

Carol Payne

Operations Assistant

Carol joined Ethos in 2020 after working in revenue cycle management and operations for non-profit and for-profit organizations. A natural helper, Carol takes pride in completing operational tasks that allow her teammates to focus on client-facing work. Carol particularly enjoys preparing Ethos’ daily tweets and bi-weekly leadership content for publication.

Fast Facts:

  1. Lived in 10 states before settling in West Virginia in 2012
  2. Is the mother of three grown children
  3. Enjoys reading and spending time with her family
Aaron Ray, Project Analyst

Ethos Team:

Aaron Ray

Development Specialist

Aaron joined Ethos in 2022 after working in the behavioral health field in various roles, including being a counselor and an adjunct professor. A researcher at heart, Aaron works behind the scenes and alongside clients to connect them to evidence-based methods to achieve their goals. Aaron particularly enjoys gathering data, synthesizing information, and working with the Ethos team to meet clients’ needs.

Fast Facts:

  1. He was born and raised in Northeastern Ohio and is a proud fan of Cleveland’s major sports franchises and The Ohio State Buckeyes
  2. Is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Ohio
  3. Aaron enjoys spending time with his family, smoking meat, and cooking good BBQ

Partner with Ethos

Sherri Ferrell

“Whether it’s using a self-assessment process to identify ways to improve board effectiveness, leading the board in strategy development and succession planning, or assisting with CEO performance evaluations, Ethos is skilled at assessing the scope of a board’s needs and devising strategies to help improve their performance and the performance of their organizations.”

Sherri Ferrell
Chief Executive Officer, West Virginia Primary Care Association
Lisa Jones

“I cannot say enough great things about the strategic planning process with Ethos. The process was not only fun but truly engaging. Becky and David were able to take a multitude of ideas from more than 30 participatory team members and help consolidate them into a workable functional plan. I will definitely use Ethos again for strategic planning and other leadership consulting needs!”

Lisa Jones
Chief Executive Officer, Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center
Renee Steffen

“Ethos was a true consultative partner in our strategic planning process. They listened to our organization’s feedback and were flexible in incorporating modifications into the process in a way that demonstrated they valued our organization’s culture and history. In addition to walking alongside us every step of the way, Ethos’s facilitation skills are top-notch. They helped move the conversation forward during critical breakthrough moments while ensuring everyone felt heard and valued. Several of our board members commented that it was the best strategic planning process in which they had ever participated. I can tell Ethos has a passion for helping clients move forward in a positive direction and this positive energy was highly evident in our experience working with them. We weren’t just another client but rather, we were a valued partner in the work!”

Renee Steffen
Executive Director, Sisters Health Foundation
Stacy DeCicco

“Our work with the Ethos team has impacted nearly every facet of our organization. Our initial experience engaged our board in a strategic thinking exercise. This half day event was originally scheduled to be an isolated experience; what it became was a launching point for organizational growth, professional development, and intentional, sustainable efforts. Our amazing experience within the strategic planning session brought mission and vision centered decision making to life for our team. The conversations of that day were not simply discussions that were archived and put on a shelf at the end of the meeting. They quickly transformed into digestible, attainable action items. Immediate implementation was possible because of the ongoing support and facilitation we received from the Ethos team. That energy and momentum flowed from the board, through our team, and out to the agencies that we support and engage across the community. We are a stronger organization because we are now able to execute our mission and serve our community better than ever before. The investment Ethos has made with us has created ripples that are felt further than they can ever be measured!”

Stacy DiCicco
Executive Director, United Way Alliance of the Mid‑Ohio Valley
Greg Franks

“Having served in leadership roles for several property management companies, I’ve had the opportunity to work with numerous consulting firms. My experience with Ethos Leadership, which involved an operational analysis of an active adult community with more than 16,000 residents, was one of the best experiences.”

“After spending two weeks embedded with our operational team and reviewing hundreds of documents, Ethos provided a comprehensive analysis and set of recommendations that addressed HR, Infrastructure, Leadership, Finance, Programs & Services, Planning, and Customer Service. Following Ethos’ analysis, we executed a plan to adopt sixteen (16) actionable steps that improved our operations while honoring the culture and values of our company and our client.”

“This entire experience set in motion a plan of execution that the community and its residents have benefited from and will for years to come. I highly recommend Ethos and their entire leadership team.”

Greg Franks
Vice President Southeast Region, AAM
Lisa Leach

“I best describe our organization’s experience of leadership development with Ethos Leadership Group as a journey of discovery that leads to building effective teams who are willing to break the silo mentality that often holds organizations from reaching their true potential. I have watched members of both our Management and C-Suite
levels grow and mature through the process Ethos Leadership Group has developed. Staff actively participates in assisting each other to achieve interdepartmental and strategic goals and share in each other’s successes rather than focus on one another’s missed opportunities. Through the discussion-based approach, our management team has learned to feel more confident in their decisionmaking abilities resulting in more effective and timely decisions. Ethos does a tremendous job of defining characteristics of effective leadership and helping staff to identify how their weaknesses and strengths can work in harmony to achieve organizational goals.”

Lisa Leach
Chief Executive Officer, Southern West Virginia Health System
Wendy Gall

“My time participating in the Ethos Executive Coaching program was a pivotal point
for me both professionally, as a new leader, and personally. Based off of a deep understanding of me as an individual, my coach was able to provide invaluable
insights and practices that helped guide me at a time in my career that was, I have to admit, a bit overwhelming. Our insightful discussions, along with the relationship that grew throughout our time working together, challenged me to grow in my areas of weakness and build on my strength, helped me formulate my thoughts around my leadership style, and provided me the tools and support I needed to gain confidence in becoming the authentic leader I am today.”

Wendy Gall
Director, Customer Care Strategic Initiatives and Innovation, First National Bank of Omaha
Enderson Miranda

“Ethos Leadership has been a trusted partner of OnSomble for several years. All members of our executive team trust and rely on Ethos’ expertise and advice. I have personally benefited tremendously by having Ethos available as a sounding board for strategic decisions over my years as COO and CEO at OnSomble. I can confidently say that Ethos consistently plays an important role in the continued growth and success of our company. I would unequivocally recommend the Ethos Leadership Group to any organization that wants to excel.”

Enderson Miranda
Chief Executive Officer, OnSomble, Inc.
Craig Glover

“The team at Ethos Leadership Group are great partners. They listened to my goals and developed a plan specific to my needs. Often, leadership groups have one approach they try to use for every situation. Ethos is different. Their various tools and approaches allows them to develop a custom plan for your organization.”

“The onsite work with the Ethos team was excellent. They are interactive, engaging, and fun. The session felt like a group of friends having a candid discussion as opposed to a work session. I highly recommend working with Ethos Leadership Group.”

Craig Glover
President and CEO, FamilyCare Health Centers
David Ray - Ethos Leadership Group

Ethos Team:

David Ray

Owner

In 2017, David joined Ethos after leading and advising in the non-profit sector. An organizational troubleshooter and natural synergist, David leverages his analytical and relational skills to help clients take their business and team to their desired next level. With a passion to see others live and lead well, David enjoys connecting leaders to evidence-based practices to boost leadership capacity, build human capital, and improve organizational performance. David particularly enjoys working with clients through strategic planning, executive coaching, and team development.

Fast Facts:

  1. Started his own property investment company at the age of 24
  2. Certified Human Behavior Consultant
  3. David enjoys spending time with his family, traveling to islands, and pretty much anything that has to do with personal development
Rebekah D. Mathis-Stump, J.D. - Ethos Leadership Group

Ethos Team:

Rebekah D. Mathis-Stump, J.D.

Owner

Becky joined Ethos in 2009 after leading the daily operations of five distinct work teams over a ten-year period. An analyst and solution-generator by nature, she works with clients to identify their needs and develops a plan of action to reach their desired results. Having worked in numerous disciplines in her career, Becky brings a broad range of knowledge and experience to our clients. Becky particularly enjoys working with clients on organizational audits, strategic planning, employee training and coaching, and governance.

Fast Facts:

  1. Lived in numerous states growing up, finally claiming West Virginia as home after marrying a native son, Jeff Stump
  2. Received life membership in The Order of the Barristers — a national honor society
  3. Becky enjoys reading, golfing, and cheering on the West Virginia University Mountaineers
Dr. James A. Johnson - Ethos Leadership Group

Ethos Team:

Dr. James A. Johnson

Founder

As our Founder, James encourages us to dream bigger dreams and mentors us to achieve them. James brings this same passion to our clients, skillfully blending inspiration with practical application in his work. James’ primary areas of expertise include leadership and fundraising.

Fast Facts:

  1. Development Officer at Pheasants Forever.
  2. Received President’s Volunteer Service Award (presented by President George W. Bush)
  3. James enjoys spending time with his wife (Lesa), and hunting

Partner with Ethos

"*" indicates required fields

Contact Information

Name*

Company Information

How can we help?

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.