Some leaders say they want to set stretch goals, but they stop short because they want certainty that their goals will be achieved. They want plans that account for all possible outcomes and consequences. If this sounds like you, consider the following. Knowing for sure that you will attain your goal probably means you have not set […]
Read More →For meeting leaders, it can be challenging to consistently make regular, standing meetings interesting and relevant. If you’re the meeting leader, you might feel obligated to set the agenda and come prepared with all the answers. If you do, you will suck the life out of the meeting and lull participants to sleep. Here’s a way to increase […]
Read More →Do you suspect that your staff meeting is losing its value? Are people coming late and leaving early? Are they interacting with their technology or having side conversations? Do discussions wander aimlessly? Is it hard to get active participation in conversations? If you answered, “Yes,” to any of these questions, you need to hit the refresh button. Here are three things […]
Read More →Mistakes. We all make them. What’s important is how we deal with them so that our errors don’t become our undoing. New York Times Better Living Columnist Tim Herrera has some tips for moving beyond big and little gaffes. He recommends being honest with yourself. Acknowledge that it was indeed a mistake. Accept it, but don’t let it define you […]
Read More →Robert Collier, one of America’s original success authors, said, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” While that’s a message I communicate often via Office Talk, it bears repeating. It’s good to remind ourselves that we can’t do it all at once. We may not be able to see all the […]
Read More →Whether I’m watching Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Nick Foles, Bryce Harper or Joel Embiid, I notice how they do what they do — the mechanical and mental aspects of their performance. An important lesson — one many of us can learn from — is the resilience of those at the top of […]
Read More →A study from the University of Exeter in the UK confirms that bosses who put the people who follow them first, boost productivity. The researchers used 130 independent, previously published studies to test their theories. The result: the “servant-leader” style of management, which is ethical, trustworthy and shows genuine interest in the wellbeing and development of staff, […]
Read More →Your thoughts can make or break you. What you think affects how you feel. Together, thoughts and feelings shape your life because they influence your behavior and determine what you see as possible. The process you use to identify or recognize opportunities becomes a closed loop – life-defining and self-reinforcing. Your imagination becomes more and more […]
Read More →A study at the University of Basel in Switzerland suggests that if you set attainable goals, you’ll experience more satisfaction. The findings imply that setting goals that you believe you can achieve will make you feel more in control, which will lead to greater well-being. As you and I know from experience, setting attainable goals is […]
Read More →At all times, two parts of our brain are governing how we behave. We’re aware of the rational, deliberate self that is ruled by the prefrontal cortex. But the threat protector, ruled by the amygdala, reacts beneath the surface causing us to lash out inexplicably. That self is enabled by the inner lawyer, which rationalizes, deflects and blames. […]
Read More →Delivering negative feedback or criticism is rarely easy. Receiving it may be even more difficult. But researchers at University of Toronto found that how people receive criticism depends greatly on the source. Through field and lab experiments, they discovered that when negative feedback comes from a boss or a peer, the receiver’s creativity level drops. The researchers concluded […]
Read More →Are you a leader who struggles to see the value of building relationships with your team? Do you see the personal stuff as a distraction? Harvard Business Review says this is a recipe for high turnover and lower productivity. They offer five ways to adjust your management style. Get Feedback. Ask key stakeholders to rate your focus on […]
Read More →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 […]
Read More → As the year winds down, it’s a good time to think through the ways you’ll make the next year even better. Although every day represents the possibility of a new journey, the new year is widely recognized as an important opportunity to think big and go big. As Oprah says, “Your journey begins with […]
Read More → While some people are great delegators, many struggle with trusting others to do as good a job as they do. Try looking at delegation as a teaching opportunity. According to the Harvard Business Review, here are some steps you can take in that direction. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed or going on vacation to […]
Read More →“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” Those are the words of Lou Holz, former football player, coach and speaker. They’re also a great jumping off point for self-assessment. Take the time to ask yourself these three questions. Am I using my abilities […]
Read More →Here’s a piece of good, practical advice from the late entrepreneur Jim Rohn. He said, “Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people.” We’ve become more relaxed and informal […]
Read More →As a coach for a number of women’s leadership programs, diversity expert Anne Litwin says she encounters women from many cultures who suffer from Imposter Syndrome. She contends that women are more susceptible to the imposter syndrome than men, in part because women from underrepresented groups don’t see others like them in certain industries and […]
Read More → If you aspire to become a leader, but your title is still something less, Forbes.com contributor William Arruda offers these five tips to help others see you in a leadership role. Master the mindset. Look way beyond your to-do list to the bigger picture. Think of ways you and the work you do can […]
Read More →If public speaking freaks you out, here are four rituals that Harvard Business Review Contributor Nancy Duarte says can pump you up, or calm you down. The Empathy Ritual can help you connect to your audience. Get to know your audience by working the room before you speak. Or sit in the audience seats looking […]
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