Thanksgiving gives us rare space to notice the ‘teachers’ we never asked for—the tough economy, rising costs, AI disruption, election-year noise, even the hard no’s and risky yes’s. In this year’s reflection, Mary Ann, Managing Partner at Butler Street, shares how those unwelcome lessons reshaped her leadership, sharpened their focus, deepened gratitude for clients and teams, and turned ongoing discomfort into clarity, courage, and uncommon growth.

Before you rush to coach your team, consider the invisible barrier that often sabotages success: you. Many leaders assume that once they step into a coaching role, the hard work of self-evaluation is over. It isn’t. The best coaches begin by diagnosing their own game—how they respond under stress, mis-step in conversations, and hold themselves accountable. Only after you’ve coached yourself can you truly lead others.

With five workweeks left, Joey Frampus shares his 2026 playbook: fix systems, not symptoms; protect pipeline by prospecting weekly; swap vanity activity counts for quality metrics; build a quarterly reflection habit; and lead yourself before you lead others. He warns against “hope forecasting,” diversifies beyond top accounts, and uses simple win/loss debriefs to turn lessons into leverage. Ready to upgrade your sales system? Butler Street can help.

Most teams tap AI for emails and grammar—and leave big wins on the table. In this new blog, Robert Reid shares practical ways to move beyond basics and make AI a true performance multiplier across recruiting, sales, and leadership. From better discovery to sharper coaching and smarter decisions, you’ll see how to level up fast and get adoption that sticks. Ready to work smarter, not harder? Start here.

At ASA Staffing World’s CEO Roundtable, leaders across healthcare, industrial, and professional staffing shared the same truth: growth feels harder than ever. But the issue isn’t sales strategy—it’s structural. From tech overload and shifting motivation to leadership misalignment, six themes emerged that reveal what’s really holding firms back—and how top performers are reframing for 2026.

With ASA Staffing World around the corner, one thing is certain: AI will dominate every conversation. Staffing leaders are asking tough questions—will AI replace recruiters, where should we start, how do we ensure accuracy, what’s the ROI, and how fast is this moving? The truth: AI won’t replace recruiters, but those who master AI will outpace those who don’t. Here’s how to answer the top 5 questions shaping the future of staffing.

Recruiting isn’t just about offers—it’s negotiation from the very first “hello.” Every interaction with a candidate shapes trust, value, and commitment. By asking the right questions, addressing concerns early with LAER, and staying consistent, recruiters set the stage for smoother offers and stronger relationships. Those who focus on trust and alignment throughout the process win more placements.

Sales, like golf, is a game of resilience and discipline. JJ Spaun showed us how to bounce back from setbacks, while Tommy Fleetwood proved the power of trusting the process through years of near-misses. Success doesn’t come from overhauling everything—it comes from consistent habits, preparation, and focus. In staffing and sales, when the market doubts you, staying committed to your process is what drives meaningful wins.

Why Sales Leaders and Recruiters Fall Short (and How to Break the Cycle of Distraction) There is no secret sauce. You just have to do...

Deals are rarely lost at the close; they’re lost at “hello.” When sellers only appear at RFP stage they compete on price and lose. Top performers prospect daily, avoid “pipeline panic,” and build credibility before need arises. Consistent touch plans, value messaging, and habit-based outreach turn sellers into trusted advisors, creating predictable pipelines and higher win rates. Start prospecting today—don’t wait to be reactive. Butler Street makes prospecting a repeatable g

Leadership Lessons to Turn Setbacks Into Growth Opportunities I spend a good amount of mental energy looking for leadership inspiration...

Staffing sales leaders often discover revenue leaks too late—silent skill erosion in hybrid teams, candidate experiences that push talent away, thin coaching capacity, and an AI utilization gap. These hidden drains rarely make it onto the leadership agenda, yet they erode growth quarter after quarter. With the right training discipline and real-time AI coaching, these challenges transform into growth drivers—protecting revenue, elevating talent, and building long-term trust.

After 44 years in business—and a lifetime navigating both business and personal relationships, I’ve come to realize something both simple and powerful: nearly every relationship problem we face boils down to one of two things: miscommunication or lack of communication. We make assumptions, jump to conclusions, and often talk at people instead of with them. And when we’re not communicating at all? That’s when silence does the real damage.

Facing a big birthday milestone, I found myself stuck in indecision—no big plans, just a flood of questions. It wasn’t until I shifted from pressure to possibility that inspiration struck. That same mindset shift is the key to AI fluency: stop over-engineering and start exploring with curiosity. Today’s best AI outcomes come not from complex formulas but from clear intent and simple, evolving conversations.

At the U.S. Open, JJ Spaun struck the flag perfectly—only to watch it ricochet off a misplaced rake and roll away. Two flawless shots. Two brutal outcomes. Yet Spaun didn’t snap a club; he regrouped, reset his routine, and carried on. In staffing and sales, we face our rakes—lost candidates, reneged offers, undercut deals. Success hinges on disciplined preparation: role-play, rehearsal, structure. AI coaching delivers instant insight and targeted guidance so that when setback

My main objective when I am facilitating training is to try to convince my training participants to make changes in how they sell, recruit and lead. This is also the most challenging part of my role. At Butler Street, we like to say “No change. No change.” Put differently – If you are unwilling to change how you sell, recruit or lead, do not expect any changes in your results or outcomes. Now, I wish I could say that every trainee who went through my training sessions was a

A few months ago, I had a conversation with a sales rep who prided himself on his ability to move fast - quick dials, rapid pitches, closing like a machine. But then, he hit a wall. He told me about a current prospect who spoke slowly. Not just “took a breath between sentences” but S.L.O.W.! This woman spoke with long, thoughtful pauses. “It was like pulling teeth,” he said. “I almost lost it.” Here's the advice I shared, why speed feels productive but isn't if missing thi

Inspired by a bald eagle nest, Joel Schaffer explores how great leaders coach like eagle parents—modeling, guiding, and building team independence through real-time feedback and consistent habits. Discover how Butler Street creates strong leaders and high-performing teams ready to soar.

Most sales training fails not because of poor content, but because it’s treated like a one-time event. Real change requires systems that reinforce habits daily — through coaching, accountability, and application. Leaders must drive the behavior, not just sponsor the training. Want training that sticks? Build a culture where learning is continuous and measurable.

Do great leaders motivate their teams—or create environments where people motivate themselves? This article explores the shift from motivational leadership to building inspiring environments rooted in purpose, autonomy, and connection. Learn five practical ways to spark both motivation and inspiration, helping your team show up fully, take ownership, and thrive. Discover what great leadership looks like in action.