In an HR Magazine Q&A with Edward Hess, co-author of “Humility is the New Smart, Rethinking Human Excellence in the Smart Machine Age,” says, how well employees learn continuously and relate to others will become the great differentiator.   He points to increasing automation and cheap — or often free — access to information.  He says that the traditional […]

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The kind of environment we work in plays a big role in job satisfaction.  Yet, that environment is largely controlled by another person:  your manager, or someone at or near the top of the org chart.  If they’re supportive, job satisfaction soars. Forbes.com says this is especially true for millennials. If you’re one of the people at or […]

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Researchers at University of California, Davis set out to answer an age-old question:  what makes an emotionally healthy person? They looked at what’s called the “big five” personality traits to see where healthy people landed.  Those traits are neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness.  They also identified facets of these traits, which added specificity. The experts […]

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I bet you still have parties, dinners, drinks and drop-bys on your holiday social calendar. Whether it’s a company-sponsored event, a colleague-hosted gathering, or a party with family and friends, put your best foot forward. Steer clear of “too many” and “too much.” Too many bad jokes. Too much heated political debate. Too many misplaced […]

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One of the behavior patterns I’ve worked on with many leaders is their need to be right and show others that they have all of the answers.  They know more and best. Insisting on being right is alienating. It turns others off. After all, if you’re always right, that automatically makes others wrong. Artist and […]

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Report after report reminds us how important it is to be self-aware. One of the foundational components of Emotional Intelligence, self-awareness enables us to know our triggers, and what it takes for us to open our minds to new and different experiences and people. To become more self-aware, regularly, take a few minutes to connect […]

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Increasingly, I find people are asking me what they can do to become more self-aware. I love to field such questions, because self-awareness is valuable. It’s a key foundation of emotional intelligence. One strategy I often suggest is to focus less on what’s going on around them, and tune in more to what is going […]

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When it comes to the genuinely confident, their journey is one of satisfaction and – yes – better pay.   That’s according to Dr. Travis Bradberry, co-author of “Emotional Intelligence 2.0.” He says genuinely confident people earn more and are promoted more quickly. Part of their success comes from their ability to look within for inspiration. […]

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Do you feel bombarded by information and opinions? Are you overwhelmed by the media, colleagues, friends, family, and sometimes total strangers imposing their point of view on you? We’re told how to think and feel about work, our wardrobe, our weight, the company we keep, politics, our extracurricular activities, and so on. Amidst the noise, […]

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 Are you struggling to stay positive in what may feel like a negative world? Negative energy can manifest itself in damaging ways that we don’t always recognize. Here are some suggestions that might help you turn that negative energy into something more positive. If you’re engaged in a contentious conversation, avoid being critical of […]

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According to Merriam Webster, microaggression is defined as “a comment or action that subtly and, often unconsciously or unintentionally, expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group.” Often, the action is so subtle and habituated that the perpetrator does it without even realizing it. Microaggressions land hard on the people they’re being […]

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It’s tempting to respond to someone’s angry rant or accusation with something even more incendiary.   But that will only lead to an escalation and move you further away from a resolution. Instead, it’s better to say, “Let’s talk later.”  Then, walk away. You’ll be giving the other person, and yourself, the space to breathe, calm […]

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It happens to all of us. You’re cruising through your day, then suddenly something completely unexpected happens. The boss springs a new project on you, or an unforeseen crisis occurs with a customer. Anxiety amps up and angst sets in. Here are two truths to soothe your psyche. First, no one is promised a 100% […]

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Speaker and business trainer Lou Adler once said, “Good people ask good questions.” People who ask good questions see themselves as learners. They engage with a sense of curiosity, wonder and a willingness to acknowledge that they don’t know everything. Try putting this approach to use at your next meeting with a client, prospect, colleague […]

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English writer Joseph Addison was quoted as saying, “If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.” Let’s look closer at this 17th century road map for getting ahead. Make perseverance your bosom friend. It can be hard to […]

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 Success.com contributor Sara Fabian’s article, “7 Life Truths I Wish I Knew Sooner,” puts things we stress out about into perspective. Fabian, a woman’s career and empowerment coach, says she herself struggled with low self-esteem. She didn’t see herself as beautiful, smart or good enough, so, she took matters into her own hands. She […]

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 In Sara Fabian’s Success.com article, “7 Life Truths I Wish I Knew Sooner,” she shares her seven truths, beginning with: Loving my whole self – mind, body and soul – is not selfish. Rather, it’s necessary for a healthy life. Perfection is pure fiction. She quotes John C. Maxwell, who said “Sometimes we win, sometimes […]

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In one of author Alan Zimmerman’s blogs called “Tuesday Tips,” he quotes Psychologist Jack Berg, who said, “the human mind reaches for understanding like a flower for the sun.” Zimmerman believes people yearn to be understood, and without understanding, we drive a wedge between others and us. Take that idea of people yearning to be […]

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First there was IQ. Then came EQ or Emotional Intelligence. Now Judith Glazer of “The Harvard Coaching Institute” has introduced the concept of CQ or Conversational Intelligence. CQ taps into our need for self-expression and validation. Glazer says that in environments where people can share their aspirations, intentions and fears freely, the door opens for […]

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I Googled the term “Self Awareness” and got 300,000 search results. It’s a term that gets thrown around quite a bit.  But, like many phrases that are tossed about in every day language, the actual meaning is lost on some.  People may nod in agreement when they hear it, but do they really know what it means to be self-aware?  Do you really know what it means? According to all-knowing, all-seeing Wikipedia, “Self-awareness is […]

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