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You can hate more but you can never love less. The hope to make the world a better place keeps us all going. In today’s competitive world, helping those in management positions is also crucial so they can make better decisions and have clarity in life. With the same vision, Lisa Anna Palmer is helping people in management positions to love their life as a leader. Lisa is the Founder and CEO of Light Your Leadership Inc. 

Lisa is on a purpose roadmap that outlines how to lead effectively in a changing world. Additionally, she and her team at Light Your Leadership Inc. is growing a platform that shines a light on leaders who put people and the planet first. Thus, we at CIO Business World unleash the full potential of Lisa through an interview to learn about the techniques she uses to bring change.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

Brief our audience about your journey as an entrepreneur. What inspired you to start your own business?

I burned out three times by the age of 38. After spending two decades working within corporate Human Resources & Organizational Development and Organizational Effectiveness roles, both as a management consultant at a Big Six Firm and then within HR roles at two Canadian Crown Corporations, I was inspired to start my own company. As my consulting and coaching practice took off, I realized that I wanted to focus on leadership development because lack of leadership is at the root of every organizational and societal issue. Great leadership is at the heart of every success.

Tell us something more about your company and its mission and vision.

Our vision is to make the world a better workplace for all by helping those in management positions to learn to love their life as a leader. We do this using the principles featured in my international bestselling book, Light A Fire In Their Hearts: The Truth About Leadership and the SCALE approach, which stands for Self-Awareness, Connection, Accountability, Legacy, and Elevating others. These help managers and executives take their leadership to the next level as they learn tools and techniques to unleash potential and forces for good in themselves and others.

In addition, we have the PURPOSE Road Map, which outlines how to lead effectively in a post-pandemic world, including:

1. Putting people and the planet first

2. Understanding the struggle

3. Renewing the culture

4. Psychological safety and physical security

5. Office set-up and technology, including AI

6. Service-minded leadership

7. Evolving and elevating leadership capacity at all levels

We are also dedicated to growing a platform that shines a light on leaders who put people and the planet first.

Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals for your company?

I envision growing Light Your Leadership Inc. by establishing a Fractional Chief Leadership Officer practice. My goal remains to do my part to ease workplace suffering in as many organizations as possible and make work meaningful and joyful so that people want to be, do, and feel their very best. We need to bring back pride in work well done and strive for excellence in healthier ways that bring about good, rather than using methods and approaches that harm people and the environment. 

I plan to raise awareness of CEOs and Boards so they see the importance of introducing and prioritizing Chief Leadership Officer roles. With over 50% of managers looking to leave their position (Gallup), 70% of people offered promotions saying “no” (Ivanti), 69% of managers being afraid of speaking to their employees (Harris Poll), and 57% of employees are reporting that they are being disrespected by their manager (Pew Research), we need to focus on leadership development at all levels, all ages, and all backgrounds. 

Waiting to send managers to a workshop when they get promoted is insufficient.  To steer organizations, society, and our economy in the right direction, we need to elevate leadership so that it is integrated as a way of being from the start. Leadership development needs to start early and to be viewed as lifelong learning.

I am also working on my second book, Leadership In A Post-Pandemic World, to explore a revolutionized post-pandemic workplace and organizational renewal. 

In the near future, where do you envision yourself, and how do you plan to accelerate and drive forward the process of change?

I took stock about two months ago about what differentiates me. I had the realization that prior to launching my own company, I had spent most of my time in corporate settings advising and coaching vice presidents and aspiring vice presidents (i.e., directors and senior directors). I also found that coaching managers and helping them become better versions of themselves led them to realize their deep discontent with their current employers. They then beg me to help them leave their company because they don’t have the formal authority to implement change and feel stuck with traditional command and control senior managers.

This pained me, so I’ve decided to focus on coaching vice presidents and aspiring vice presidents (and equivalents) because they have greater authority and access to resources. Therefore, when they transform, they can stay with their current employer and effect real and meaningful changes to their workplace. This benefits their downline and thus helps middle managers in the long run. They are also the CEO feeder group, so when we help them be the best version of themselves, we help the entire organization solidify its future. 

Outstanding leadership is contagious as elevated leaders become role models for others. Investing in vice presidents and aspiring vice presidents makes workplaces better. Strong, compassionate, courageous, and competent transformational executives know how to grow and inspire other leaders, which creates a powerful ripple effect at all levels. This is the key to delivering results in healthier and more sustainable ways. Leadership development underscores strategic advantage and underpins excellence. Case in point, a Metrix Global study found that executive coaching can have a 788% return on investment (ROI) based on factors including increases in productivity and employee retention (Forbes, 2023). 

Coaching top managers to love their life unleashes their human potential. When leaders can connect with people they work with from this elevated place of purpose, passion, and fulfilment, the potential for their organization’s success grows exponentially. 

As a successful Women leader, how do you manage to strike a balance between your professional commitments and personal life?

This is yet another example of lifelong learning because while I strive for balance and have made much progress, I am still not quite where I would like to be. However, I’d like to invite leaders to reframe this whole concept: rather than try to strike a 50/50 balance between work and personal life, perhaps it would be more effective and less frustrating to harmonize our work and personal life.

What I mean by that is that we have different seasons, and life is dynamic, not static. So, rather than strive for balance or a 50/50 split between my work and personal life, I seek to find the right mix that feels good: when life is harmonious, I feel energized, healthier, more aligned, and in flow.

I do this by checking in with myself because sometimes I tend to spread myself too thin. I’ve learned to recognize the signs of burnout earlier; in my case, I get fatigue and joint pain because of fibromyalgia.  When I get the first hint, I know it is time to pull back and spread out my appointments to leave more room for self-care and downtime in my calendar. Also, of crucial importance is that I have learned to set boundaries, manage expectations, focus on priorities, to simplify processes, leverage technology and delegate more.  

In a male-dominated industry, how have you overcome challenges and stereotypes to succeed as a woman entrepreneur?

I don’t feel that I have overcome it. Rather, it is an ongoing exercise in raising awareness to counteract unconscious biases. As nurturers, women tend to be recognized as solid career and life coaches, human resources managers, and experts in self-leadership or coaches for middle managers. While there have been advances with upcoming generations, when it comes to being considered as thought leaders or coaches for senior managers, we have yet to break through the glass ceiling, particularly with CEOs and VPs who are Gen-Xers or Boomers.

I can see why this happens as mainstream celebrity leadership experts, such as the late Bob Proctor, John C. Maxwell, Patrick Lencioni, Kouzes and Posner, etc., tend to fit the stereotype. Don’t get me wrong, I really admire what these men have done to advance organizational leadership, and I am grateful to have studied their work. However, society must recognize that women can also advise and coach top leaders just as well as any man. 

Both men and women in senior management need to check their biases. Men also need to step up as allies, as everybody wins when more women get involved in leadership development at the highest levels of the organization.

What advice would you give to aspiring women entrepreneurs who are looking to make a mark in their respective industries?

I suggest they practice the 8 Ps of Ignition that I introduced in the book Light A Fire In Their Hearts. They are Profundity, Passion, Purpose, Perseverance, Professionalism, Play, Philanthropy, and Prosperity. We also need to support one another and not listen when we are told that we need to ‘play the game’ or ‘be mean’ to get ahead. This is what keeps us down as a collective. We need to stop playing small and get out of our comfort zones to be seen and to share our platform with others so that we can all get an opportunity to shine.

What are your thoughts on the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and business in the 21st century?

Entrepreneurs play an essential part in shaping the landscape and driving its evolution. My hope is that through our businesses and our life’s work, we influence socio-economic forces toward doing what is good for people and the planet. We need to hold ourselves, politicians, and community leaders accountable for driving the economy to grow and realize profits in healthier and more sustainable ways. We have the power to influence consumer behaviours through our advertising, research, speaking, writing and storytelling. Let’s help the masses make better choices that will help humanity and all living beings stick around a while longer and strive for a better world for all.

Meet Kelly Bagla, a dedicated business leader, and legal expert specializing in business formation and asset protection. With a passion for helping individuals and businesses thrive, Kelly is your trusted partner in navigating the complex legal landscape of entrepreneurship.

Kelly Bagla came to the U.S. as an immigrant seeking the American Dream. She has gone on to form her own law firm, establish multiple business enterprises and create the life of her dreams. Kelly has made it her passion to help other entrepreneurs reach their own American Dreams, not only through her legal practice, but also via her best-selling books, her online Do-It-Yourself legal forms company, and her business coaching company, professional speaking, and media appearances.

The American Dream Vs. The American Dreamer

Kelly explains that anyone can daydream. America is filled with people who spend their time on social media, imagining how great it would be to have the lifestyles portrayed by the famous and infamous they follow. These are the “American dreamers” who will accomplish little.

In contrast, The American Dream, according to Kelly, is to identify opportunities in this country, (and beyond), to envision the possibilities of what you can accomplish, to create a plan for achieving it and to be willing to invest the hard work, time, and tears, while risking your entire financial investment to go after your goal. That’s the American Dream as Kelly sees it.

According to Kelly, “Most Americans born in this country don’t see the magnitude of opportunities available to them.” Her vision for American entrepreneurs is to help open their eyes to the possibilities around them to see and seize the opportunities to start, run and grow their own successful businesses. For this reason, each of her enterprises informs, equips, and inspires entrepreneurs to live their own American Dream.

Mega Law Firm to Entrepreneurial Advocate

Kelly started her career working at the world’s largest law firm, which gave her invaluable experience and guidance from the world’s best. She has always had a heart for entrepreneurs (like her own father), and knew that she could better serve business owners with the personal attention and transparent fee structure a boutique law firm could offer. 

So, as an ambitious young lawyer, she left the mega law firm and branched out to form Bagla Law, APC, now in business for 14 years.  Her firm specializes in business formation and asset protection, and also assists businesses with mergers, acquisitions, trademarks, and assisting international companies operating in the USA. 

Leading the Way for Foreign Businesses to Thrive in the U.S. Market

International Advisory Expert and 2023 winner of the Global Law Experts, Kelly Bagla has become a leading expert in helping foreign-based companies enter the U.S. Market. Her three-fold experience as an immigrant, lawyer and entrepreneur has provided her with insight and expertise to make her ideally suited for this ever-expanding legal niche. 

As the country with the world’s largest economy, the United States offers some of the best business opportunities in the world. Bagla Law Firm helps foreign-based businesses leverage this massive market by getting on the right legal footing and setting themselves on a path to success.

Helping foreign-based business owners achieve their own American Dreams seems like the perfect combination of “paying-it-forward” and “coming full circle” for Kelly. Having come to the U.S. with dreams of her own, she is now in the position to help foreign business owners tap into the Land of Opportunity as she did. “I’ve always said that it takes a business owner to understand the needs of another business owner. I will add that it takes someone who has successfully entered the U.S. market to understand the needs of someone who wants to do the same!”

Her latest book, Doing Business in the United States, is an overview of the legal guidance she provides her own foreign-based clients planning to enter the U.S. market. The guide includes some of the key aspects of doing business and setting up in the United States. In addition is a brief review of the U.S. legal system and some of the laws most relevant to doing business in the United States. Doing Business in the United States is available on Amazon.  The book provides a great starting point for any business entering the U.S. market.  

Bagla Law Firm is exhibiting at both the Los Angeles and European Going Global Events this fall to showcase these global legal services.

Living the Dream

After decades of building her successful law firm and multiple businesses, you might think that she would be ready to put her feet up, relax and consider early retirement. If that’s what you think, then you haven’t met Kelly Bagla. For her, the American Dream is not just a destination. It is the joy of the journey! She is a dynamo and a creative visionary who continually generates ideas for improving and expanding her enterprises to better serve her clients. She finds her work challenging and fulfilling. Kelly loves what she does and has no plans to slow down any time soon. 

Up every day at 3:00 a.m., she has breakfast with her husband, Brent, afterward heading together to the gym for a strenuous workout. She then takes her beloved Pitbulls (“the girls”) for a vigorous walk in the park. A former body-building champion, Kelly thrives on exercise, good nutrition and fresh air. By 7:30 am she has fed the girls, gotten dressed and opened her office for business. It’s important to start early, especially having International and East Coast clients.  The remainder of her 10-11 hour work day is loaded with meetings, legal services, business issues and of course… dreaming up more ventures to pursue!

Each evening Kelly and Brent make time to have dinner together. Afterward, depending on clients’ needs, Kelly might work an additional 2-4 hours. “I am a woman of my word. So if I’ve promised to deliver a service by a specific date, I will work as long as it takes to deliver even sooner than promised if possible.”

So how does she do all this and have time for a satisfying personal life? Kelly would say that starting her days early with exercise gives her the energy and clarity to do so much. Great organization, maintaining a winner’s mindset, and having the right team around her also provide an important edge. And she is quick to add, “Taking time to relax, refresh, and revive makes me more effective to work hard and be more effective.”

Working hard is important to Kelly. Playing hard is just as key. Together, she and Brent plan vacations throughout the year. Some are exotic in distant lands, others are mini-breaks to catch their breath and reconnect. “We genuinely love just being together. While I am always accessible to my VIP clients, Brent and I set aside our weekends primarily to hang out together with the girls. That is my happy place!” Kelly says with a big smile.

“Having such a supportive, understanding husband who is my best confidant and advisor, not only makes this all possible, but makes me feel like I am truly living the dream!”

Coaching Entrepreneurs to Thrive in Business and Life

Kelly’s most recent business is a Coaching Company, Pitbulls ‘n Pearls, named after her four-legged jogging partners. It’s a one-stop coaching experience for all-around success in business and in life. While all of her enterprises help entrepreneurs achieve business success, Kelly founded Pitbulls ‘n Pearls to help them achieve a healthy, satisfying personal life as well. 

Pitbulls ‘n Pearls brings together groups of successful entrepreneurs (Pack Leaders) who conduct master classes for entrepreneurs who want a thriving business and a healthy life. One of the master coaches, Kelly finds great satisfaction in helping other business owners live the dream through this 360` coaching company.

Seizing Life’s Opportunities and Inspiring Others to Do the Same

Kelly lives by her life-long motto, “Grab life by the pearls!” And she plans to keep taking hold of opportunities ahead. In addition to her global focus, she has plans to expand her professional speaking business and already has her next book in mind.

Krystn Macomber knows winning.

Going back to her days as a D1 basketball player at the University of Richmond, the Founder and CEO of Summit Strategy, a game-changing proposal development and marketing consulting firm, understands what it means to earn wins for her clients no matter the challenge.

“I’ve always been ambitious,” said Krystn. “As a kid growing up in the mountains of North Carolina, I’ve always had big dreams and set lofty goals for myself. This first manifested for me in sports where I became an elite basketball player, but this theme of embracing challenges has played out throughout my professional career.”

While Krystn’s roots are in South Appalachia, her career began when she moved to Washington, D.C. after finishing her undergraduate degree in business. She quickly worked her way through the corporate world, scaling the ranks until she became a prolific proposal manager,  and writer, and leader  for federal government contracts. As each position transitioned to the next, Krystn realized she had a natural ability to build teams, departments, and processes.

It was during these years that Krystn’s vision for what would become Summit Strategy emerged.

“What I deeply wanted was to captain my own ship,” she said. “I wanted to lead a team of driven, forward-thinking professionals who cared about winning for their clients as much as I do. While the experience in corporate America was invaluable, I didn’t want to spend my career advancing someone else’s financial interests. I wanted my working years spent leaving a dent in my industry and being a difference maker to my team and to my clients.”

Founded on the principles of care, innovation, and commitment, Summit Strategy swiftly established itself as a force in the market. A 100% woman-owned enterprise, Summit has taken on more than just turning a profit. For Krystn, she and her team carry the responsibility of redefining industry norms and fostering real change.

“At Summit Strategy, we believe we’re more than just another small business,” she said. “I want to reach the end of my working years knowing I made a real impact and changed the way my peers, colleagues, and competitors do business.”

On the business side, Krystn’s vision for Summit Strategy is clear – to set the new industry standard for integrated sales + marketing solutions that empower professional service firms with effective growth strategies through game changing strategic planning, proposal support, branding + marketing with purpose, and best practices training. By helping firms tell their stories, fueling their potential, and achieving sustainable competitive advantage, Summit Strategy is shaping a generation of industry leaders who pioneer positive social impact.

For Krystn, pushing Summit Strategy to be both a cultural difference maker and a financial powerhouse are one in the same. Winning for her clients means shifting the industry towards increased equity for everyone involved. This task can feel like scaling a mountain over and over again, Krystn said, but it’s a challenge Krystn is willing to continually take on.

“The challenge has been to navigate running a small business while maintaining my vision of what a proposal development and marketing consulting business could be. It’s at times been lonely, frustrating, and exhausting while at the same time exciting and affirming that it’s exactly what I want to be doing. It’s hard to think beyond the day-to-day operations and expectations to exceed, but I’m embracing the challenge every day to continue focusing on the bigger picture.”

So far, this perspective has paid off for Krystn with Summit seeing more than 800 percent growth in its first year and another 50 percent growth projected in year 2. With the focus on growth, Krystn is spending much of her time traveling to conferences and events promoting the message that incorporating engaging storytelling into your marketing and proposal writing will win more business.

“We aim to be a major player in proposal development, especially in the government contracting (GovCon) sector,” said Krystn Macomber. “There’s serious room for growth there, and we believe our GovCon clients can distance themselves from their competitors with the right proposal guidance and strategy.”

However, Krystn and her team also believe in empowering entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed, and it’s why Krystn Macomber has taken on the role of mentor and thought leader for many young professionals breaking into the industry. It’s all part of Summit’s core ethos – caring every day.

“I can’t stress enough how important it is to care,” Krystn Macomber said. “Care about your clients. Care about your team. Care about your industry. If your sole focus is the bottom line and earning money for your shareholders, you’ve missed an incredible opportunity to make the world just a little less crappy. See yourself as an agent for change, as someone who has been put in place for a reason and has a chance to make a real difference.”

The best advice she can give to these young, ambitious pros to start winning for themselves? Don’t settle.

“Don’t settle for the status quo. Most of the time, things are the way they are because people lack imagination and vision. The reality is, though, the status quo exists until someone decides to challenge it. There’s no reason that person can’t be you.”