PLJ Recognizes our 2025 Second QuarterEmerging Leaders Award Winners For more than two decades, Profiles in Leadership Journal has been dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating a diverse range of leaders. Our primary goal has always been to showcase individuals who have made significant impacts in their organizations and communities. We take great pride in presenting… Read the full article

James R. Rector Publisher, Profiles in Leadership Journal Every meeting leaves someone out. Customers, employees on the front line, even quiet voices within the team. Decisions get made, but the missing perspective can come back to haunt you. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos famously placed an empty chair in meetings to symbolize the customer. It was a… Read the full article

James R. Rector Publisher, Profiles in Leadership Journal Trust behaves like a battery. It powers performance, but it drains faster than most leaders realize. Every broken promise, every unclear message, every unacknowledged effort depletes the charge. The battery may look full, but then a crisis hits, and suddenly the team has no reserve to draw… Read the full article

James R. Rector Publisher, Profiles in Leadership Journal In some homes, guests remove their shoes at the door. It is not about footwear. It is about respect. The ritual says: I value your space enough to change my behavior. Leadership is built the same way. Respect does not arrive through titles or slogans. It is… Read the full article

James R. Rector Publisher, Profiles in Leadership Journal Leadership is not one role. It is two. Some days, you are the candle, lighting the way when the path is dark. Other days, you are the mirror, reflecting the light of your team so they see their own brilliance. Strong leaders know when to switch. In… Read the full article

James R. Rector Publisher, Profiles in Leadership Journal You can learn a lot about a person in the coffee line. Watch how they treat the barista. The simple exchange shows whether respect flows only upward or in every direction. Leadership character is revealed in these small moments. A leader who thanks the person serving them,… Read the full article

James R. Rector Publisher, Profiles in Leadership Journal Life moves fast, and so does business. But rushing is not always the answer. Sometimes the smartest step is to stop for a moment and really look around. In August 2025, U.S. job growth nearly stalled. Employers added only about 22,000 new workers. Unemployment rose to 4.3… Read the full article

James R. Rector Publisher, Profiles in Leadership Journal Every leader takes hits. Plans stall, teams stumble, markets shift. The difference between those who burn out and those who last is the ability to reset. The inner reset is not denial. It does not pretend the loss never happened. It accepts the setback fully, then makes… Read the full article

James R. Rector Publisher, Profiles in Leadership Journal Leaders spend their days looking outward-at markets, metrics, and teams. But credibility is built by those willing to look inward, into the mirror. The inner mirror reflects truths leaders would rather avoid. Did I listen or only wait to speak. Did I keep my word when it… Read the full article

PLJ Congratulates our First Class of Mentoring Leadership Award Winners Profiles in Leadership Journal is honored to present the inaugural Mentoring Leadership Award to these exceptional mentors who exemplify the true essence of leadership. At PLJ, we believe that mentoring transcends traditional management; it fosters meaningful relationships, amplifies diverse voices, and cultivates a lasting legacy… Read the full article