It’s The Heart Work

I’m excited to join Paula Anderson Coaching and Consulting LLCla Anderson Coaching and Consulting, LLC for National Entrepreneurship Month as one of the panelists for this powerful virtual conversation.

Entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful drivers of innovation, economic mobility, and community impact. Every entrepreneur has a story; a journey filled with lessons, resilience, pivots, and a whole lot of courage. And on November 20th, we’re coming together to talk openly about that journey.

I’ll be joining an incredible panel: Lauren Brown, Jana Cardona, and Sonja Jones, for a one-hour discussion where we’ll share what we’ve learned, what we wished we knew sooner, and what keeps us moving forward when the path gets uncertain.

If you’re building something, dreaming of starting something, or simply curious about the entrepreneurial mindset, this conversation is for you.

📅 November 20, 2025
⏰ 6PM–7PM CST
📍 Virtual Event

Join us, learn with us, and grow with us. Your next step might be waiting inside this hangout.

🔗 Register today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/.../national-entrepreneurship...

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A Legacy of Service: From One Generation to the Next 🇺🇸

This is my father, SFC Green Ross, and me, SPC Terry Ross, two generations of soldiers, two generations of service, and one shared commitment: to give our best to the country we love and the land of our ancestors.

My father fought bravely in the Korean War. He was my first hero, not just because of his uniform, but because of his work ethic, humility, and strength. When he came home, he didn’t stop serving. He connected communities one bridge and one foundation at a time as a construction worker, using his hands to make something that would last.

Years later, I followed in his footsteps, first as a Desert Storm veteran, and then as an educator, teacher, and principal, building people instead of structures. The tools were different, but the mission was the same: to serve, to build, and to lead with integrity.

Today, I honor my father, the man who showed me that leadership begins with service, that real heroes don’t seek the spotlight, and that character outlasts circumstance.

Every lesson he taught me about perseverance, about compassion, about responsibility, about being a man of character, still guides me in my work and my purpose.

Here’s to every family whose legacy of service continues, in the field, in the classroom, and in the heart.

End the Year with Clarity. Begin the Next with Focus.

Your team doesn’t need another meeting, they need a moment of meaning.

The Empowered Leadership Academy’s Year-End Team Building & Strategy Retreats help leaders reflect, realign, and reignite before stepping into a new year.

Whether you’re resetting goals, strengthening team connection, or aligning around a shared vision, our retreats blend emotional intelligence, growth mindset, and strategy to help your team finish strong and start stronger.

Now booking for November and December

Spaces are limited for 2025 planning sessions.

Contact: [email protected]

Or send a DM to schedule your Team Strategy Retreat today.

There was a time I thought staying calm meant I wasn’t standing up for myself.

That choosing the high road meant I was being walked over.

But the truth is—every time I chose emotional intelligence, I was making a

long-term investment in trust, respect, and credibility.

Anyone can react.

But it takes strength to pause.

It takes wisdom to listen.

It takes purpose to respond with clarity instead of ego.

In leadership, in interviews, in life—EQ will take you further than emotion ever will.

If you’re growing, leading, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself… this mindset shift will change everything.

Read that again. Let it sink in.

-That delay? It’s direction.

-That closed door? It’s protection.

-That uncomfortable stretch? It’s preparation.

Emotional intelligence reminds us not to judge the season while we’re still in it.

This isn’t punishment—it’s positioning.

You're being shaped for something greater than what you settled for.

So don’t fold.

Don’t shrink.

Don’t run.

Stand in it.

Grow through it.

Watch how it works for you.

Regulation is not weakness. It’s wisdom.

When we pause to regulate first, we often avoid the need to de-escalate later. It’s the difference between reaction and response. Between a moment of power and a lifetime of regret.

Self-awareness is key.
It helps us name our emotions before they name us. It helps us recognize our triggers—not so we can suppress them, but so we can lead ourselves through them.

In a world where misunderstanding, conflict, and quick tempers can escalate fast, learning to regulate could be the difference between peace and a problem…
…and sometimes, it’s the difference between making it home safely or not at all.

Teach regulation.
Model it.
Practice it daily.

Emotional intelligence is not just a soft skill—it’s a survival skill.

The Intentional Practice of Emotional Intelligence

Great leaders don’t just have emotional intelligence—they practice it.

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is not a fixed trait; it’s a skill that requires intentional effort every single day. Just like an athlete sharpens their technique or a surgeon refines their precision, leaders must actively cultivate self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills to lead effectively.

The key? Practice.

When a tense moment arises—pause before reacting.

When receiving difficult feedback—listen before defending.

When leading a team—recognize emotions before making decisions.

We don't "arrive" at emotional intelligence. We build it, stretch it, and refine it through consistent, intentional action. And when we do, we create workplaces, schools, and communities where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to thrive.

THE FABULOUS DR. JAY

LIFE CLASS

JOIN US FOR AN EXCITING LIFE CLASS WITH DR. JAY FEATURING OUR SPECIAL GUEST, DR. TERRY ROSS, AS WE DIVE DEEP INTO THE POWER OF SELF-LOVE AND SELF-CONFIDENCE THROUGH SOCIAL EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024!!!