Welcome to Misti's Insights

"Motives are the #1 cause of failure - or success - in relationships." - Misti Burmeister I recently met with two exceptionally successful businesswomen, hoping to get to know them and, perhaps, form mutually-beneficial relationships. But both conversations left me...

"When we`re clear about what taps into our stubbornness,what means so much to us that it invokes the `failure-is-not-an-option` mentality, we can all push past perceived barriers and achieve what seems impossible." - Misti Burmeister When Cindy, a retired nurse, heard...

On a recent flight, I struck up a conversation with my seat-mate, Leah, who was putting together a presentation entitled “Creating a Coaching Culture.” After learning more about her project, I shared a bit about my work with generational diversity and...

I met Connie at a bookstore near my home. After working in the public school system for many years, she recently became the principal of a charter school. She was initially hesitant about taking the job, which requires an hour-long commute (each way). But after...

  How a Tea Mug Can Empower Your Colleague Giving feedback is one of the greatest challenges for most leaders, especially if the feedback is not positive, or if the person who could benefit from your insight doesn’t report to you. A few days ago, Laurie, an...

This event is brought to you by Inspirion and Helios HR - together, everything is possible! ***There is limited seating available and all profits from this event will be donated to non-profits selected by our panelists. - Get Your Ticket...

I’ve paid for gym memberships since I was 14 years old, but never have I paid as much as I do now. When I first visited my local Crossfit Arenal box (otherwise known as a gym), I remember thinking, “There’s nothing to this place, so why do people...

"Those who don`t move don`t notice their chains." ~ Rosa Luxemburg In 2004, before I started Inspirion, I interviewed more than 150 professionals in and around the greater D.C. area. I wanted to understand what they did so I could figure out how to use my education...

"Money alone isn`t enough to bring happiness . . . happiness [is] when you`re actually truly OK with losing everything you have." – Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos When I quit my job as a government contractor in 2004, I promised myself that I would never again work...

Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected sources. I recently found myself with a few hours in between meetings. Not being one to waste time, I entered a coffee shop, planning to get some work done.  I grabbed the best available seat – one in the...

Do you have employees who take it personally when you critique their work, or who need constant acknowledgement and appreciation? One of my readers recently requested tips for dealing with “horribly insecure people.” When I asked what inspired her...

At a recent conference, I met Paul, the founder of a global networking group that attracts highly-successful CEOs. When he asked if we could meet to talk about my company, I eagerly agreed.  Over lunch in the hotel restaurant, Paul asked, “So, what’s...

Why They Don’t Care What You Think Have you ever met someone who is simply miserable? You know there’s a brilliant smile underneath that hateful glare. You care about this person’s happiness, really – you do! Or at the very least, no one wants...

Most of us will occasionally find ourselves at a crossroads, without the information and clarity needed to press forward. In these times, it is only natural to reach out for guidance. But when in such a vulnerable state, be careful who you allow power over your...

A Simple Strategy for Inspiring Anyone Linda Cureton, the chief information officer for NASA, recently released her first book, The Leadership Muse. At the launch party last month, she honored me with the opportunity to deliver a keynote speech to nearly 200 adoring...

Running a large corporation is complicated, but the leadership challenges are often just as simple as they are for small businesses. I recently had lunch with Jack, the CEO of a rather large corporation in Baltimore, who explained, “I’m trying to figure...

Misti Burmeister shares a powerful strategy for getting people excited about their job

I have spent the vast majority of my life asking others, “What do you think I’m good at? What topic do you think is best for me to speak/write about? What’s my greatest gift?” In fact, for more than ten years I’ve heard several...