I used to believe I was a ‘trial and error’ guy. The only problem – I was intolerant of the ‘error’ part. It’s like I had this unreal expectation that I was infallible – even though I fallible’d so often, it could have been my full-time job. When it comes to trying...
Underutilized Leadership Sayings: 5 Phrases That Will Transform Your Leadership Approach
I read that there are no new thoughts – just a new take, your take, on something that’s already been said or thought. I’m not sure I like that! As I go about my professional day and speak with leaders at all levels of organizations, I see more similarities than...
Solving The Top 3 Workplace Problems: Find Your Bucket and Take Action!
Lately, I’ve been working with a new coach. I’ve known Anne for years, and she’s going through the same coaching certification that I did years ago. I’m pretty sure I’m one of her first-paying clients. As of this writing, one topic she’s been helping me with is how to...
Fake It Till You Make It vs. Authentic Leadership: Which Strategy Wins?
I’m pretty sure you’ve heard the saying ‘fake it ‘till you make it.’ Sometimes it means different things to different people, though. It can be used positively, for example, you might be psyching yourself into doing something tricky but lacking motivation. In the...
Managing Negative Emotions: How Conscious Leaders Use Self-Awareness And Create Better Outcomes
An essential part of being a conscious leader is having a deep sense of self-awareness, and one part of that self-awareness is how your body helps you to understand your negative emotions. What if I told you that approx 80% of the time, your body knows what you're...
Make Better Decisions: Get Up Close and Personal With Your Core Values
It’s time to change the sandbox. Those were the words my first Coach, Chrissy, said after we analyzed the results of my first-ever core values assessment. At that exact moment, it became crystal clear to me that the life I was living, at home and the office, was in...
Negativity Begone! How To Become The Leader You Always Wanted To Be
The holiday season has come and gone, and work is once again occupying your thoughts. Maybe you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to be a more confident, empathetic, curious, out-of-the-box creative leader - but there's a problem. It’s that voice again. The one that...
How Positive Intelligence Has Changed My Life (And How it Can Change Yours Too)
When I talk to friends, family, and clients about Positive Intelligence (PQ for the initiated 🙂), I emphasize how it’s been life changing and the missing link to my happiness. I often think of my life kinda like BC and AD - before PQ and after. Saying it’s changed my...
Can’t Seem to Get Ahead? Try Practicing Some Mindfulness
No, nope, never. That’s what Zaya told me when I brought up the topic of mindfulness in our career coaching session. I had been working with Zaya to help her succeed in a new leadership role which was a huge leap of responsibility for her. Zaya told me she had an...
Conscious Leadership: How To Be A Leader Others Want To Follow
Do you like definitions? Over my cup of coffee this morning, I thought about the idea of conscious leadership. In the internal discussion with myself, this meant being purposeful about how one leads vs. just doing what I do. Let’s be clear, many of us employ tactics...

Darren Kanthal
Darren Kanthal, Founder of The Kanthal Group, is a values-driven leadership and career coach with over 20 years of experience in HR and Talent Acquisition. Darren is intensely passionate about helping mid-career leaders cut through the BS, do the foundational work, and achieve their greatness.