Joe Contrera is the Founder and President of ALIVE @ WORK LLC, a leadership development company dedicated to helping Extraordinary Leaders Achieve Extraordinary Results. He is the author of three books. His latest, Extraordinary Results: Mastering the Art of Leading, Coaching, & Influencing Others, is quickly becoming a must-have resource for leaders in organizations across the country. It will not only change what you believe about leading, it will help you build your leadership skills so that you can successfully influence others.

Red coffee mug beside vintage wooden letter blocks spelling 'NEW YEAR' on a distressed blue wooden surface.

From Doubtful to Driven: How 10 ‘What If’ Questions Can Change Your Life!

“You may say I’m a dreamer, But I’m not the only one! I hope someday you’ll join us, And the world will be as one” ~John Lennon   A number of years ago there was a series of Hewlett Packard commercials whose tag line were “What If?” Since then, a number of folks have adopted…

Person in a dark suit and blue tie plays a wooden Jenga tower on a office desk, hands steadying blocks.

5 Silent Killers in Leadership That Are Destroying Your Business

“Do not fear the loud things that you see and hear, nearly as much as the quiet, silent things that sneak up on you when you stop paying attention.”    ~ Joe Contrera   Lately, I have observed and heard from folks about number of situations in business that have taken place in organizations that are…

Accountability: The Hidden Driver That Turns Your Goals Into Success.

Accountability: The Hidden Driver That Turns Your Goals Into Success!

“Accountability is the cornerstone of success. You cannot have one without the other!”   ~Joe Contrera   Most folks want to be successful. And, if we were being completely honest, most of us would also like for success to happen easily. Afterall, isn’t that why we buy lottery tickets, read self-help books, dream about a side-hustle,…

WHY Great Leaders Stay Focused On People, Not Politics

WHY Great Leaders Stay Focused On People, Not Politics!

“Without the why, the how and the what don’t matter!”  ~ Dr. Nido Qubein (Many years ago, before anyone wrote a book about “The Why,” my mentor and friend, Dr. Nido Qubein shared the above quote with me and it has impacted me almost everyday of my life. I hope it has the same impact…

Are You Called to Be a Leader? 5 Gut-Check Questions Now

Are You Called to Be a Leader? 5 Gut-Check Questions Now!

“Changing an organization, a company, a country – or a world – begins with the simple step of changing yourself.” ~Tony Robbins   If you think about the way most organizations choose a leader, it can be a bit mind-boggling at times. We take an individual contributor who is an excellent performer and promote them…

Quit or Commit? A Practical Guide to Realigning Your Goals & Dreams

Quit or Commit? A Practical Guide to Realigning Your Goals & Dreams

“You got to know when to hold ’em, Know when to fold ’em, Know when to walk away, And know when to run.”  ~Kenny Rogers   The above quote is actually lyrics off the soundtrack from the movie, The Gambler, starring Kenny Rogers who passed away back in March of 2020. Those lyrics make a whole…

The Do-Over Myth: 10 Truths to Regain Control of Your Life

The Do-Over Myth: 10 Truths to Regain Control of Your Life

“A lie told often enough (can) becomes the truth.”  ~Vladimir Lenin There’s a scene from the movie City Slickers, where Mitch (played by Billy Crystal) and his two friends Phil (Daniel Stern) and Ed (played by the late Bruno Kirby) Phil’s life is a mess, he had an affair and as a result, his turmoil-filled…

Embrace Extraordinary Risk - 3 Factors That Shape Your Risk Appetite

Embracing Extraordinary Risk: 3 Factors That Shape Your Risk Appetite

“If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn   Below is a chapter from Joe’s Book, Extraordinary Results For Life: Discover Your Path to Be UN-ordinary (Chapter 20)  When it comes to discussing Extraordinary Risk, I think it is important to understand how we…