Category: Direct from Deb

Tampa Bay offered a vivid illustration during the January 31 weekend of how communities and organizations thrive when they honor the traditions that ground them while actively driving the innovations that can propel them forward. On one side of the city, we celebrated Gasparilla. This is a tradition dating back to 1904 that now draws hundreds of thousands with its iconic pirate “invasion” and parade. On the other side, Tampa hosted the first outdoor NHL Stadium Series game ever held in a Florida football stadium, transforming…

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Why Grit, Why Now During our strategic planning late last year, our leadership team selected “grit” as our word of the year. Each team member approached the whiteboard and wrote down words that resonated with them and would help define the year ahead. Words like resilience, perseverance, and adaptability all pointed us toward a single theme: grit. For several years, we’ve used the One Word approach inspired by bestselling author Jon Gordon. The exercise is simple: choose…

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Music has been a constant thread woven through the fabric of my life. From my earliest memories, it has always been there.  Sometimes in the background, sometimes taking center stage, but always present. On Sundays after Mass, while the Sunday Gravy was simmering on the stove (if you’re Italian, you know exactly what I mean), my dad would play recordings of the great operas—Tosca, Madame Butterfly, La Traviata. At the…

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December arrives with a flurry of activity from holiday shopping, decorating, travel plans, and endless to-do lists. For me, this year feels especially full. As I’m preparing for my son’s return from college, I want everything to be just right. I’m planning his favorite meals and transforming his room back to what it was before he left (we all know what happens to those rooms when kids go off to school!)…

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When a long-term employee leaves suddenly and shares a list of grievances, it can be jarring. It’s easy to feel defensive, misunderstood, or even betrayed. But beneath discomfort lies an opportunity for reflection, growth, and a deeper understanding of the human dynamics that shape our organizations. Recently, I received such an email. It was candid, emotional, and filled with observations about leadership, culture, and change. I responded with gratitude and…

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When I first envisioned our webinar, The Voice of the Injured Worker: A 360-Degree Look at the Workers' Compensation Journey, I knew we were entering a space where the conversation too often gets lost in policies, processes, and paperwork. And not enough in people. We wanted to pull the curtain back. To talk openly about what injured workers actually go through. To acknowledge not only the physical recovery but the…

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Recently, my daughter experienced one of those life seasons that stretches you emotionally, mentally, and sometimes even physically. Watching her navigate those big changes reminded me of something we often forget as parents and as leaders: we tend to share the highlight reels of our journeys — the milestones, the titles, the accomplishments. But we rarely talk about the messy middle. The truth is that my path wasn’t linear. It…

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I cherish intentional time with my family. Whether it’s a quiet weekend at home or a thoughtfully planned getaway, time together grounds me. It fills my cup and reminds me of what truly matters. This year, I had the blessing of celebrating my wedding anniversary and Mother’s Day on the same weekend. I planned a relaxing beach weekend, especially after coming out of a very busy but productive season in…

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In the workers' compensation (WC) industry, we often talk about risk, compliance, claims ratios, and outcomes. But beneath those metrics is something far more personal, human emotion. The truth is, every claim represents a person navigating pain, fear, frustration, or even shame. And how we show up in those moments as leaders, professionals, and organizations makes all the difference. That’s where emotional intelligence (EI) comes in. Recently, I had the…

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As fans, we often see only the excitement of a sporting event: the adrenaline-pumping goals, the roaring crowd, and the intense action on the ice. However, there is a whole world of preparation, hard work, and coordination that takes place behind the scenes. Recently, I had the unique opportunity to go behind the scenes with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and what I experienced was inspiring and thought provoking! Exploring the…

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