Here is one concept that I come back to time and time again for leadership development. Let's talk about the "designed alliance." To create collaborative relationships, you have to clarify, “Here’s what I need from you. What do you need from me?” The designed alliance is a tool that helps you do that.

This weekly conversation is equal to routine maintenance on your car engine. The marriage meeting is a way of “checking the oil” to make sure that your engine doesn’t burnout!

How can you measure what really matters as you move into mid-life?