There are many reasons why women and men aren’t equally represented at the top.  One is that women aren’t adequately sponsored or mentored. Harvard Business Review recently cited data from the Working Mother Research Institute that supports this notion. While 48 percent of men say they were given detailed information on career paths in the last 24 […]

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One reason women are underrepresented at the top of corporations is that they lack sponsors and mentors among men in leadership roles.  It’s no secret that a well-placed sponsor and mentor can influence one’s career trajectory.  Here are three things Harvard Business Review recommends to male leaders. Identify high-potential diverse talent.  Be intentional about finding women who bring […]

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For more women to climb to the top of the corporate ladder, more men must sponsor them.  If you’ve already identified your protégé, set her up with a stretch project.  Make sure she understands how it will help her and the company.   Then, according to Harvard Business Review: Provide development and support.  Invest time, expertise, resources and money […]

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Do you find it difficult to sit down and work through big projects?  It can be hard to get into and stay in the zone — or as Emotional Intelligence expert Daniel Goleman calls it, the Flow?  Here are Productivity and Leadership Coach Ellen Faye’s five ways to get into and stay in your flow. Clearly define […]

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Harvard Business Review contributor Michael Watkins says your first steps after starting a new job can determine if you’ll succeed or constantly face uphill battles.  To provide focus and intent, he says to ask yourself these five questions. How will I create value?  Find out what each stakeholder you’re tied to expects you to accomplish and when, […]

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In the final installment of Harvard Business Review contributor Larry Clark’s series on navigating complexity, he reframes the benefits of failure in an interesting way.  He begins with an NFL coaching analogy.  The emergence mindset he believes business owners must adopt is similar to how football coaches choose plays based on what they learned during previous ones.   […]

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Harvard Business Review contributor Larry Clark provides great insight into problem solving that starts with making sure you understand the kind of problem you’re solving.  To make his point, he refers to the Cynefin Framework, which is used to categorize situations and identify strategies to address them. The 4 categories are:  Simple.  These are situations that can be […]

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Harvard Business Review contributor Larry Clark’s three part series on navigating complexity offers timely education on rethinking business.  He encourages leaders to embrace the natural push and pull of polarities that are inherent to every business.  Polarity is when opposing forces pull at each other to keep things balanced.  For instance, growth versus profit maximization or work-life […]

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How would you like to start the New Year with free access to a coach who can help you break through to the next level?  That’s what I’m offering you today.  I’ve created a space on the homepage of my website, tmgspeaks.com called, Ask Teressa. It’s a place where you can seek answers to challenges you’re facing.   But […]

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As the job market heats up, it’s a good time to look at a study conducted by University of Texas at Austin’s David Pedulla. His findings indicate that people who accept positions below their skill level damage future job prospects. For research purposes, Pedulla submitted over 2400 fictitious applications for real openings in five US […]

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In the words of Colin Powell, “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.” If you’re in a leadership role, this is an important point to take in. Leaders are visionaries who are responsible for communicating and inspiring others to make […]

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To be viewed as more valuable to a current or future employer, be proactive about increasing your skills portfolio. If you’re seeking a salary increase, a promotion or a new job, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re not afraid to challenge your own growth potential. Do so by being on a constant lookout for your […]

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 When you’re called on to give a presentation, here’s a simple tip that will make it memorable and meaningful for your audience. Tell stories. Instead of droning on about facts and figures, with slick slides tell a relevant story. When preparing for your next presentation, keep etiquette expert Barbara Pachter’s tips in mind. Use […]

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As a certified user of Benchmarks, a 360 instrument developed by the Center for Creative Leadership, I find it an effective tool for helping leaders understand how they’re experienced and perceived along 16 competencies, rated by a range of stakeholders. Another important section of the report describes five problems that can stall your career. Problems […]

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 One proven way to build leadership skills, elevate yourself in the eyes of higher ups and network in a meaningful way, is to volunteer for a non-profit board or committee. Find an organization you can really get behind and offer your skills, expertise and energy. Volunteering is an outstanding resume builder. More and more, employers […]

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Increasingly, many of us have the flexibility of working from home. It has its benefits, and it can also wreak havoc on one’s ability to stay focused. Fast Company contributor Amanda Zantal-Wiener offers these 6 tips for staying on task when no one is present to hold you accountable. Maintain a routine. Start each day […]

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 We’ve all encountered people who are quick to say “No” to suggestions or new ideas. Before any apparent consideration occurs, they instantly shoot down most, if not all people, who come to them with their ideas. Here’s what I recommend if you have a person like that in your life. Ask your question and […]

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Recently, a client confided that she tends to present green project dashboards. Green means everything is moving forward, as expected. In taking her all-green, all-good approach, she fails to share the full reality. She wants to present an image of one who is able to handle big challenges. As we continued talking, the realization dawned […]

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There’s No US vs. THEM Recently, I facilitated an all-hands meeting where participants talked about state of the business. I repeatedly heard comments like, “The company” doesn’t promote from within. “The company” is risk averse. “The company’s” merit and bonus programs are unfair. It’s hard to know who to trust in “this company.” After allowing […]

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