When Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky’s record for most goals, the hockey world erupted.

But behind that milestone wasn’t just one man’s talent—it was a team’s trust. Trainers, coaches, teammates, and staff rallied around Ovechkin, defying skeptics who questioned his comeback after a major injury just months earlier.

When that record-tying shot hit the net, the celebration wasn’t just for Ovechkin—it was for a team that stood by him through every grueling moment. They shared in the pressure. And they shared in the win.

That’s the power of trust.
It fuels resilience. It lifts teams. And it drives greatness.

The Science of Trust: It’s in Your Brain

What made Ovechkin’s team so unshakable?

Trust isn’t just a leadership value—it’s a brain response.

In The Neuroscience of Trust, Paul J. Zak reveals what many leaders miss: when people feel trusted, their brains release oxytocin—a chemical that lowers stress, builds connection, and boosts performance. It’s biology, not buzzwords.

TRUS...

May was Mental Health Awareness Month. I want to take a quick minute to talk about the significance of our mental stress and offer fifteen strategies that can help you and others stress less.

First - let's be honest.  Each of us deals with some level of mental stress. A quick search on Google will reveal some common symptoms of mental stress.

• Over-burdened or overwhelmed
• Irritable, frustrated, or impatient 
• Anxious, nervous, or worried
• Racing thoughts that you can't switch off
• Uninterested or unable to enjoy life  
• Feeling sad or feeling depressed
• Feeling like you've lost your sense of humor

If you're like me, you've likely experienced one of these at some point in time -- likely many times. These are real conditions - real struggles for millions of people. You are not alone. It's why we have a Mental Awareness Month each year. Even Jesus experienced Mental Stress. (Think 40 days in the wilderness, the night in the Garden, the moments before his Crucifixion).  God knows ou...