Leadership Lunch Club

12/23/2025

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
-Winston Churchill

As we enter the holiday season, we find ourselves reflecting on some of the things that really matter to us — time spent with those who mean the most to us and the opportunity to give to and serve people and our community in ways that can make a meaningful impact.

Here are a few simple ways to carry the spirit of giving beyond the holidays:

- Give of your time to mentor, advise or support someone, especially someone going through a challenging time. Reach out and set something up now or for the new year.

- Express gratitude and recognition to those who have made a meaningful impact on your life or work.

- Share a financial gift or other resource to support a non-profit, a local start-up entrepreneur, or someone you know in need.

- Give the gift of quality time to listen, to see and show others we care.

(Did you know that more than 6 in 10 U.S. adults reported feeling lonely or disconnected while half or more adults said they felt isolated (54%), left out (50%) or lacking companionship (50%)? -2025 Harris Poll)

True leadership is grounded in generosity and service to others. Every act of giving strengthens relationships, inspires growth, and builds a thriving community.

From all of us at Leadership Lunch Club, we wish you a Merry Christmas filled with warmth, joy, and meaningful moments with those who matter most.

Thank you for being part of our community—we look forward to serving you in the year ahead!

12/20/2025

🎉 Have you heard the news? Our 2026 Leadership Lunch Club series, “Beyond the Map: Thriving Amid Uncertainty,” has officially been announced!

From mastering AI without the overwhelm to building resilience in life and leadership, this 3-part series is designed to equip you with the tools and insights to thrive in unpredictable times.

📅 Tickets go on sale January 1, 2026!

Want to be the first to hear updates? Join our mailing list and stay in the loop: https://leadershiplunchclub.com/

11/27/2025

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we wanted to pause and express our deepest gratitude for you and our incredible community for supporting us over the last 13 years.

It’s your commitment, your questions, and your participation that make our mission—to inspire and equip leaders—possible. We are truly thankful for the energy and insight you bring to every event.

We also want to send a heartfelt thank you to all our generous sponsors. Your investment in our community is an investment in stronger, more resilient local leadership. You enable the critical conversations and connections that keep our region thriving.

We wish you and your family a restful, joyful holiday filled with good food, good company, and time to reflect.

11/26/2025

As the holidays approach, we’re grateful for partners like Benjamin Twiggs - The Original Cherry Store, who specialize in helping businesses create meaningful, Michigan-made gifts for clients and employees—all with turnkey service and unforgettable cherry favorites.

For the past five years, owner Leisa Eckerle has generously gifted each of our Leadership Lunch Club attendees with a delicious cherry treat. Her kindness and commitment to supporting local leadership have truly enriched our events.

If your organization is still finalizing holiday gifts—or planning client appreciation for the year ahead—Benjamin Twiggs offers a seamless solution:

✅ Thoughtfully curated Michigan gift boxes
✅ Personalized or branded gift notes
✅ Hassle-free nationwide direct shipping
✅ Flexible options for any budget
✅ A special 10% discount on corporate orders

Leisa would be delighted to share sample gift ideas, pricing, and custom options to help you find the perfect fit. We greatly appreciate Benjamin Twiggs's support and encourage our community to shop local this holiday season!

Learn More:

Can’t decide, we can help! Call the store! above phone number toCan’t decide, we can help! Call the store at the number above. See gift boxes

10/14/2025

Joe Sanok, CEO, a top podcaster in the world, and author of our featured book Thursday is the New Friday, inspired us to reimagine the way we work—and the history that got us here. While days, months, and years have a scientific basis, the 7-day week was born from Babylonian astronomy, and the 40-hour work week came from early industrialists like Henry Ford, who wanted to create predictability (and sell more cars). But does that model still serve us 100 years later?

Joe explored how burnout, loneliness, and disengagement are rising—especially among younger and remote employees—and how it’s time to rethink what productivity really means. Through small, intentional shifts like the +1/-1 rule (adding or removing one thing to improve your life), brief outdoor breaks every 20 minutes, and focusing on curiosity, fresh perspectives, and imperfect action, leaders can help teams feel more energized and fulfilled.

The 4-day work week is just one example of what’s possible when we design work around people, not the other way around. Together, we can create workplaces—and lives—that help us all work less, achieve more, and live better.

A very special thank you to our sponsors for making this all possible and for supporting our local leaders! Benjamin Twiggs - The Original Cherry Store UpNorthLive Priority Health The Copy Shop Vensure Employer Solutions WTCM Radio Horizon Books - Traverse City True North Legal Group Practice of the Practice

Photo credit goes to John Robert Williams Photography, our outstanding photography sponsor. Thank you!

10/10/2025

Wow—what an incredible event we had today with Joe Sanok! Thank you to all of you who came out. We hope you left feeling inspired to rethink the way we work and explore how we can better manage our time—both professionally and personally—to create more fulfilling, joy-filled lives.

A huge thank-you to our amazing sponsors for supporting local leaders and making this event possible. We’re so grateful for your partnership! Benjamin Twiggs - The Original Cherry Store Horizon Books - Traverse City Vensure Employer Solutions Priority Health WTCM Radio UpNorthLive The Copy Shop Rehmann

More photos and event highlights coming soon—stay tuned!

10/10/2025

Today’s the big day! We’re so excited to gather with you and discover fresh ways to work less, achieve more, and live better.
Come ready to connect, be inspired, and enjoy a delicious lunch together!

See you soon at 11!

Did you miss out on buying your tickets? Join our mailing list to get updates on future events: https://leadershiplunchclub.com/

Joe Sanok Practice of the Practice

10/08/2025

Big thanks to The Copy Shop for being the Leadership Lunch Club’s Print Sponsor!

Since 1982, The Copy Shop has grown from a small copy center into a full-service print and design partner for businesses across Traverse City. Their commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction ensures that our event materials are always top-notch — helping make every Leadership Lunch Club event a success.

We’re grateful for their support and for helping us bring professional, polished experiences to our community.

Learn more: tccopyshop.com

The Copy Shop Traverse City. Copies, Color Prints, Color Scanning, FedEx and UPS, Large Format Printing, Business Cards, Letterhead, Forms, Menus, Brochures, Logo Design and more!

10/07/2025

We would like to send a big thank you to our brand new Beverage Sponsor, True North Legal Group. True North is a values-driven law firm serving Northern Michigan’s business and nonprofit community with integrity, clarity, and care. Founded by military veteran Josh Traeger, TNLG provides world-class legal guidance that helps local leaders grow with confidence while staying true to their mission.

Thank you for helping to make this event possible!

Learn more: https://truenorthlegalgroup.com/

10/06/2025

A huge thank you to UpNorthLive for being a valued sponsor of the Leadership Lunch Club! Their creative team helps produce promotional video spots for our top sponsors. Videos are also shown at our events.

As a trusted source for news, weather, and sports across northern Michigan, UpNorthLive keeps our community informed and engaged. Their dedication to quality journalism and connecting people across the region aligns perfectly with our mission to bring leaders together and foster growth.

We’re grateful for their support and proud to partner with a media outlet that truly champions our community.

Learn more about UpNorthLive and how their creative team can help your business as well: upnorthlive.com

WPBN offers news, sports, weather and items of local interest in Traverse City, Michigan and nearby towns, including Frankfort, Beulah, Interlochen, Kingsley, Garfield Township, Glen Arbor, Suttons Bay, Kalkaska, Kingsley and Manton, Michigan.

10/03/2025

Just 7 days until we welcome Joe Sanok to Leadership Lunch Club!

Are you ready to rethink what “success” really looks like at work? For too long, we’ve measured success by how busy we are. Joe challenges that mindset—showing us how to create more “white space” in our lives, unlock creativity, and actually achieve more by working less.

Imagine a workweek designed around focus, balance, and well-being instead of constant hustle. That’s the future of leadership—and you’ll get the tools to start building it next week.

Who’s ready to step into a healthier, smarter way of working?

Practice of the Practice

10/01/2025

Only two days remain to register for our upcoming event on October 10, and tickets are selling quickly. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a gourmet meal at the country club, enter to win a complimentary book, and hear an inspiring presentation by Joe Sanok, Founder, CEO, Author, and Podcaster. You’ll also have the chance to network with some of the top leaders in the community.

Secure your tickets now before it’s too late: https://leadershiplunchclub.com/eventbrite-event/eric-roberts-leadership-in-the-5-generation-workplace/