Andrea

Leadership + Luck: The Role of Fortune in Effective Leadership Great leaders often share stories of resilience, vision, and hard work. But what about luck? Is leadership purely about skill and strategy, or does luck play a crucial role? At Roaring Fork Leadership, we believe that while leadership is built on competence and character, luck can act as a powerful catalyst for success—if leaders know how to recognize and harness it. Luck: A Hidden Factor in Leadership Success Many successful leaders credit part of their journey to being in the right place at the right time. However, luck in leadership isn’t [...]

Harnessing Emotional Intelligence with Back Pocket Questions Conflict and discomfort are inevitable parts of relationships, whether at work or in personal life. These moments can be challenging, but they also provide an opportunity for growth and connection—if approached thoughtfully. That’s where back pocket questions come into play. What Are Back Pocket Questions? Think of back pocket questions as tools for your interpersonal toolkit. These are intentional, open-ended questions designed to guide conversations toward understanding and collaboration. They’re especially helpful when emotions run high, offering a way to keep discussions constructive instead of reactive. How Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness Play a Role [...]

The Gift of Growth: Why Professional Development is Key to Organizational Success As we step into a new year, there’s no better time to reflect on the future of your organization and the people who make it thrive. Investing in the growth and development of your team isn’t just a good idea, it’s one of the most impactful decisions you can make to ensure lasting success. Enter Roaring Fork Leadership’s CoLab, a unique initiative designed to meet the evolving needs of organizations in today’s fast-paced world. What Is RFL CoLab? The name “CoLab” encapsulates its essence: collaboration and laboratory. It’s a [...]

The RFL Academy 2025 cohort has taken on five impactful projects, each aiming to address specific challenges in the Roaring Fork Valley through community-focused initiatives. Here’s an in-depth look at the selected Civic Impact Projects: Aspen Camp for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Dedicated to creating an environment that goes beyond physical accessibility, Aspen Camp is implementing two major components: adaptive community engagement and physical site enhancements. The adaptive approach involves workshops, dialogues, and immersive experiences to broaden the community's understanding of challenges faced by the deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or deafblind. The project will engage local leaders and [...]

RFL Alumni Spotlight: Lizz Bailey Development Director at Roaring Fork Leadership We are excited to introduce Lizz Bailey, an alumna of Roaring Fork Leadership (RFL) and our new Development Director. Learn more about her journey, her experience with RFL, and what she’s passionate about in her new role. Q&A with Lizz Bailey Q: What year did you graduate from the Roaring Fork Leadership Academy and how did your experience with RFL impact your career and personal growth? A: I graduated from the RFL Academy in 2020, which was an incredibly impactful time to complete the program as COVID-19 shutdowns began. My [...]

The "Women in the Workplace 2024" report from McKinsey & Co. offers a critical look at the progress women have made in leadership over the past decade. Locally, these findings resonate deeply in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys, where women, especially women of color, remain underrepresented in leadership roles across key industries like hospitality, healthcare, and outdoor recreation. The report reveals a mix of gains and setbacks. While the number of women in leadership has grown, this progress is fragile, with many women facing significant barriers at the managerial level. At RFL, we see these national trends reflected in [...]

In an era defined by rapid change, uncertainty, and interconnectedness, the need for effective leadership has never been more pronounced. From climate change and economic inequality to geopolitical tensions and global health crises, the challenges facing humanity and our valley are multifaceted and complex. Traditional models of leadership, characterized by top-down decision-making and hierarchical structures, often struggle to address these issues adequately. As we stand at the precipice of unprecedented change, there is a growing recognition of the need for a new approach to leadership—one that is adaptive, collaborative, and rooted in trust. Enter Roaring Fork [...]