Dr. Kimberly Luse, President & Founder of Strategic Ethical Solutions, returns to the Northern Kentucky Accountability Group on Wednesday, October 12th for a motivational talk titled "You are The Architect of Your Life: Go Get It!" Kim will share insights from her book Losing Your Job Without Losing Your Mind.

Congratulations to Northern Kentucky based Strategic Ethical Solutions for obtaining the Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification awarded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA). This prestigious certification qualifies Strategic Ethical Solutions for the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program (WOSB Program), as set forth in Title 13, Part 127 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

I had the privilege of attending the, Forging Partnerships for Inclusive Excellence Symposium, which was hosted by Northern Kentucky University October 13-14. It was an energizing, thought-provoking, meaningful experience for all involved. I was honored to lead a workshop entitled, A Blueprint for Effective Diversity and Inclusiveness in Higher Education. I was pleased to share my work, and not at all surprised to come away learning so much. It was especially meaningful, as NKU is my undergraduate Alma Mater. As a first generation college student, I well remember the fourteen years it took for me to accomplish my Bachelor's degree, and the role that the faculty and staff at NKU played in my ability to finally walk across that big stage. All these years later, I still find myself emotional when I crest the hill and see my university before me. It literally is coming home for me.

For the last decade or so, "wellness" has been a buzzword of sorts in the workplace. It began with organizations working towards helping employees achieve a more positive physical state of wellness. But as we all now know, wellness is all-encompassing, with physical, spiritual, and emotional elements as well. A broader look at wellness certainly must include mental health issues. Wellness has become a goal for the workplace. And it is a big one.

In 2009, George Clooney starred in the film, "Up In The Air."  He played the role of an external consultant retained by companies to come in and deliver bad news to their employees.  His only job was to assist in downsizing companies, and to that end he met one on one with employees who had been marked for termination.  As their meeting took place, the employee's office was cleaned out, and they were quietly escorted from the building.  Some were in shock.  Some sobbed.  And one elegant lady calmly remarked, "There's this beautiful bridge by my house.  I'm going to go jump off it."

My grandmother used to say, "What you fear, you will draw near!"

I can't tell you how many times I am sharing a story, and the person I am talking to has an astonished reaction.  That is usually followed by, "Did you make that up?!"

I couldn't begin to make up the incredible experiences I have had by simply talking with people that cross my path.  I have found that being an Executive Coach is not really a job.  It is much more a lifestyle, and when you live your life in a way that allows what you are passionate about to shine through, amazing things happen.