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Mushky Lewis

I help founders & managers build teams that last. If you’re interested in my observations on leadership, hiring, management, and the realities of building strong teams. Subscribe to "The Edit" below.

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I Wasn’t Inspired to Write… So I Did This Instead.

THE EDIT Welcome to Issue #3 of The Edit! I sat down to write this newsletter, and my mind was blank. So instead, I’ll tell you what happened this week, and then I’ll share a few timeless lessons I’ve learned about leading teams. I hosted an evening for local moms, something I’ve never done before. One of my goals is to socialize more with women my own age. So I set up the backyard deck, turned on the string lights, played jazz, made fresh cookies, ordered sushi, and even whipped up homemade...

THE EDIT Welcome to Issue #9 of The Edit!You know those calendar events you can never seem to delete? I have one that says “Go to gym.” It’s been sitting on my calendar for the past four months. The funny part? I canceled my gym membership in May. So why haven’t I deleted the event? Because deep down, I know I need to start working out again. And somehow, deleting that calendar event feels like I’m deleting the intention along with it. I see versions of this all the time when consulting with...

THE EDIT Welcome to Issue #8 of The Edit!This is a long one, but it's worth it. When I feel passionate about something, I have a lot to say, so bear with me, if you care about keeping the employees you value most- read till the very end. I was reading recently about the concept of complex trauma in therapy. The idea that trauma is not always caused by one major event, but sometimes it’s the accumulation of smaller moments over time.I was speaking to someone recently who left their job of 8...

THE EDIT Welcome to Issue #7 of The Edit! This morning, I opened my phone and saw a string of 6:00 a.m. selfies my twins had taken of each other. Right after that was a portrait photo my son took of his weighted rhino. What you build over time, how you show up, how you treat people, and the standard you hold don’t disappear. It compounds. It turns into a referral, a relationship that circles back years later, and opportunities you didn’t plan for. Impact has a ripple effect, and more often...

THE EDIT Welcome to Issue #6 of The Edit! My assistant Regina actually offered to write this month’s newsletter for me… which tells you exactly how late I am. So thank you all for your patience. It’s been a month of firsts.A gutter falling from the compounded snow.My daughter turning 15 and writing persuasive emails to her teacher (honestly impressive).And moving into a new office space. In between all of that, I’ve been onboarding new team members and repeating the same few habits over and...

THE EDIT Welcome to Issue #5 of The Edit! “Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.” Last week, I walked into a meeting with potential new clients.It was me and about a dozen executives sitting around a table. As I was taking it all in, I noticed the founder and a Director of Operations. The way they interacted. The warmth. The familiarity. A hug. A look. Without realizing it, my brain filled in the blanks. I assumed they were in a relationship. Not intentionally.Not...

THE EDIT Welcome to Issue #4 of The Edit! A moment of vulnerability here. I want to share something that hasn’t happened since opening Mushky Inc. in January 2023. Right after a discovery session, I drafted an email with all of the takeaways, linked the document, and hit send… to someone with the same first name as my intended recipient - but the wrong last name. I only realized what happened when another (correct) recipient kindly let me know. Cue the stomach drop. Thank G-d there was no...

THE EDIT Welcome to Issue #2 of The Edit! I’m always telling my clients: eat your frog.That thing you keep pushing off, the task you procrastinate on the most, be honest with yourself about what it is, and start your day by tackling it. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Very often, just starting is the hardest part. Two small practices I recommend: Break it into micro-tasks. Don’t just label the frog as a vague “project.” Define the very first steps so it’s crystal clear how to begin....

THE EDIT Welcome to Issue #1 of The Edit! I've been contemplating for weeks - should I send a monthly newsletter? I know I have a lot to share, but do you really want another email in your inbox? One thing I’ll admit: I struggle with rejection. How many will find it valuable? Will people engage, share feedback, forward it to others? Up until now, my client base has grown entirely through word of mouth - thanks to my clients who have referred me to others. But now, it’s time to take the leap...