Life Is Sales Leadership Week: Step Away to Level Up
As leaders, we spend a lot of time taking care of other people: our teams, our clients, our businesses, and our families. But who's taking care of us?
Self-care is critical to leadership. We have to take care of ourselves if we want to show up for others. And sometimes, that means stepping away from our everyday lives to get a fresh perspective.
I call it a conscious vacation: an opportunity to learn, grow, have new experiences, and reconnect with what matters most. The goal is to return home inspired, nourished, and refreshed, with a clearer sense of how we want to live and lead.
That's the thinking behind Life Is Sales Leadership Week, taking place January 16–23, 2027, in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Because sometimes, the most important step forward is taking a step away.
Here's what you need to know.
What Is Life Is Sales Leadership Week?
Scott G. Stephen, Chief Growth Officer at Guaranteed Rate, and I host Life Is Sales Leadership Week. For several years, we've worked with other senior leaders to facilitate groups for business leaders and business owners who want to grow in all areas of life.
In January, our homebase will be the MAREA Beachfront Villas in Zihuatanejo, with many of our workshops taking place at LYONS Gardens, my home at MAREA that I share with my wife Gertrude. There will also be plenty of off-site experiences throughout the week to get us out of our usual routines (and comfort zones).
In the simplest of terms, it’s an opportunity to connect with other growth-minded leaders, take an honest look at where you are, and get clearer about where you want to go.
The Leadership Model
The week’s itinerary aligns with our Leadership Model, which is built on two fundamental principles: awareness and choice.
Much of how we live and lead is shaped by feelings, beliefs, and intentions we don't always recognize. We react to situations, fall into familiar patterns, and sometimes wonder why we keep getting the same results. The first step toward change is becoming aware of what's happening. From there, we can make a different choice.
Our model uses a staircase with six Levels, each offering a different perspective on how we relate to ourselves and the world around us.
But remember: growth isn't linear. We move up and down the staircase throughout our lives.
The goal isn't to get everything right all the time. It's to recognize where we are, understand what's driving us, and make more conscious choices about where we want to go.
The Six Levels of Leadership Growth
Each day of the trip will be devoted to exploring a different Level of Leadership Growth. Here’s a breakdown of the journey.
Level 1: From Scarcity to Trust
When we operate from scarcity, we see the world through the lens of fear: there may not be enough, we may not be capable, or things may not work out. This mindset can keep us stuck or focused on worst-case scenarios. Moving toward trust means recognizing our fears without letting them dictate our choices. We learn to trust our capabilities, our resources, and our ability to navigate uncertainty. Trust doesn’t mean knowing everything will work out; it means believing we can find our way forward.
Level 2: From Hunger to Affirmation
We all have a hunger to be seen, valued, and accepted. When that need goes unmet, we may seek affirmation from others or turn to behaviors that offer temporary satisfaction without truly nourishing us. Growth begins with recognizing this hunger without allowing it to define us. We learn to understand what we need, affirm our own worth, and seek genuine connection. Rather than relying solely on external validation, we can find healthier ways to feel grounded, connected, and fully engaged in life.
Level 3: From Reactivity to Assertion
When we feel threatened, hurt, or frustrated, we often react through anger, blame, or complaint. These reactions can leave us focused on what we don't want rather than what we want to create. Moving toward assertion begins with understanding what's driving our reactions and getting clear about our intentions. Instead of fighting against circumstances or expecting others to change, we learn to express what matters to us, identify what we want, and take purposeful action toward it.
Level 4: From Conformity to Expression
Our desire to belong can lead us to hide our opinions, silence our needs, or go along with others to avoid rejection. But when we conform at the expense of authenticity, we risk losing touch with ourselves. Growth means finding the courage to express who we are while remaining connected to others. We can speak honestly, share different perspectives, and disagree without attacking or demanding agreement. Authentic expression allows us to build relationships in which we can belong without pretending to be someone we're not.
Level 5: From Striving to Purpose
Striving can drive us to achieve, succeed, and build security, but our ambitions may be shaped by what we're trying to prove or avoid. We can spend years seeking approval or trying to ensure we don't repeat past mistakes. Purpose invites us to ask a deeper question: What do I want my life to stand for? By identifying what truly matters, we can make meaningful commitments and direct our time, energy, and talents toward something larger than achievement alone. Purpose turns striving into intentional contribution.
Level 6: From Superiority to Authority
As we gain experience and accomplish more, we may begin to see ourselves as more capable or knowledgeable than others. Moving beyond superiority means stepping into authority—not authority over others, but authority over our own choices, actions, and impact. We recognize our responsibility for the lives we create and the contributions we make. Rather than seeking to prove our worth or control our circumstances, we use our abilities in service of something larger than ourselves. Leadership becomes less about being above others and more about taking ownership of our role in the world.
ISAPs: Your Personalized Action Plan
During Leadership Week, each participant will complete an Ideal State Action Plan (ISAP). In a dedicated 45-minute session, you'll explore your Present State, define your Ideal State, and identify pathways to move between them, with the support of the group.
We'll look at all areas of life: body, self, family, relationships, work, play, society, spirituality, and life purpose. Where are you today? Where do you want to be? And what choices will help you get there?
The goal isn't to create a perfect life on paper. It's to get honest about what matters, identify where you want to grow, and leave with practical steps you can put into action.
Ultimately, Life Is Sales Leadership Week is about becoming a more transformational leader. The more self-aware we become, the better equipped we are to understand others, respond with intention, and support those who count on us. But leadership begins with ourselves. To show up fully for others, we must take responsibility for our own well-being and growth, because the more we invest in ourselves, the more effectively we can lead, support, and inspire those around us.
Plus, Growth Through Shared Experiences—and Fun!
Leadership growth isn't just about sitting in a room and talking. Throughout the week, we'll incorporate experiences that help us build trust, connect with one another, and take care of our physical and mental well-being.
Take the temazcal, a traditional sweat lodge experience, for example. Stepping into a dark, hot, unfamiliar space can bring up fear and discomfort—and that’s part of the opportunity. It invites us to explore Level 1 in a new way: What am I afraid of? What am I ready to let go of? And what becomes possible when I acknowledge my fear without letting it dictate my choices?
We’ll also enjoy yoga, a cacao ceremony, sound healing, and a boat trip to Cayacal. And we'll make time for pizza and NFL playoff football, too. Not every meaningful moment has to be serious.
Sharing experiences, laughing together, and getting to know one another outside our usual environments are all part of building the trust that allows us to have deeper conversations.
Join Us in Mexico: January 16–23, 2027!
If you're ready to step away from your routine, invest in yourself, and explore what's possible when you lead with greater awareness and intention, I'd love for you to join us. (We have a maximum of 20 spots available, and we're already half full.)
Ready to take the next step? Visit our Contact page, share your information, and leave us a message. Be sure to select “2027 Retreat Waitlist,” and we'll get back to you right away.
I hope to see you in Zihuatanejo!
