Ever find yourself complaining about what’s wrong in your organization; saying to yourself and anyone who’ll listen, “Can’t they see this is a problem? Why don’t they do something about it?” Whether you know it or not, you’re disempowering yourself. You’re sounding and acting helpless. It’s important to remember that YOU are the organization, too. […]
Read More →During a recent workshop, a participant confessed his lack of empathy – a core dimension of emotional intelligence. He said, “I don’t have any, and I don’t know how to even begin to think about feeling the way others do.” Given the laughter and head nodding from the other participants, he was not alone. For […]
Read More →Like any classic, Bernard Bass’s book, Leadership and Performance Beyond Expectations, remains relevant 30 years post-publication. He said leaders who transform their environment, and the people around them: Demonstrate integrity and fairness. Set clear goals that require stretch. Have high expectations of self and others. Encourage others to perform well – to be and do […]
Read More →To be successful in 2015, embracing change and inspiring innovation are more important than ever before. To put your team on the right path, begin with a focus on the positive. Celebrate accomplishments they feel good about. Here’s an activity that can help you get started and orient your next staff meeting in a positive […]
Read More →Many times, a simple shift, consistently implemented, can make a world of difference. So, instead of feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by the thought of resolutions and goals, this year, choose one simple change you care about and are willing to make. Search yourself and opt for something that’s important to you…maybe it’s to more regularly […]
Read More →The end of the year is a perfect time to reflect on where you are in your life, professionally and personally, and look ahead to what you will create, going forward. Here are several questions to guide your reflection process. Think about your answers to each question, and journal about them. Writing down your thoughts […]
Read More →As we planned the all-hands meeting, at my encouragement, the leadership team decided to invite the CEO to come and make opening remarks. The room was filled with department members from the ranks of management, staff and the union. The President’s message was simple: be mindful of how you show up, every day. His message […]
Read More →As invitations to work-related parties start to roll in, remember these important survival tips. In the wise words of Warren Buffet, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” So, whether you’re going to your own company’s party, your significant […]
Read More →Trust in the workplace increases morale, productivity and lowers expensive staff turnover. It also provides fertile ground for much sought-after innovation. If you’re a manager or an aspiring leader, it’s important to know what it takes to build trust. And with today’s turbulent business environment restoring trust after increasingly common things like layoffs, pay cuts, drastic […]
Read More →In today’s pressure cooker world, having tools that will help you decompress, or shake off those occasional foul, grumpy feelings will make recovering quick and easy. Just like pro athletes and other super stars, having a bad day can’t stop you in your tracks. Your show must go on. For nearly all of us, there […]
Read More →Two recent client coaching sessions inspired me to share with you the way the workplace is shifting. Today’s leaders must understand that the old rules no longer apply in this era of diversity and the need for constant innovation, which an be derived by gathering input from all levels of an organization. Lesson #1 : Coaching […]
Read More →Many leaders labor under LIES (labels, illusions, excuses and stories) that limit their effectiveness. One of which is the illusion that you’re either born with executive presence or you’re out of luck. In truth, executive presence can be developed and refined. Here’s a list of key elements that make up others perception of people with […]
Read More →Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best. “Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” In the workplace and at home, we often worry about how things are going to turn out. If we imagine the worse, or even less than the ideal […]
Read More →We tend to use the labels manager and leader interchangeably. Yet, each points to a specific role and set of competencies. Based on the work of John Kotter, here’s a quick way to discern with which space – manager or leader – you identify most? Managers feel fulfilled accomplishing finite, specific tasks. Their focus tends […]
Read More →Unwittingly, we often sell ourselves short. We underestimate our ability to overcome challenges and achieve the extra-ordinary. My book, LIES That Limit, explores this very real aspect of human nature through the lens of the Labels, Illusions, Excuses and Stories – the LIES we carry in our heads. These LIES were likely put there by […]
Read More →The benefits of diversity in the workplace have long been studied and found to make excellent business sense. But often we leave the execution and follow through of company diversity efforts to people who – because of many competing priorities – might not be as fully engaged as is required to actually reap the benefits. No […]
Read More →Depending on where you are, Summer vacation is either just about over or it’s been over for a little while now. This time of year is like the unofficial new year – for many even more so than January 1st. Kids are entering new grades and some are entering new schools. Older children leaving for […]
Read More →Think back over the last few minutes. What kinds of thoughts have crossed your mind or lingered there? Are they uplifting, encouraging, and helpful? Or are they filled with worry, criticism or judgmentalness? How about in general? Do you replay negative experiences over and over in your head? Do you wish repeatedly that you […]
Read More →The level of trust in your organization impacts the bottom line. When trust is low, so is morale and workplace satisfaction. Disengaged employees quit working, but keep showing up at the office. Turnover among the most capable and competent workers increases. Productivity decreases. Redundancy, held in place by bureaucratic silos, saps vitality and strengthens the potential […]
Read More →Happiness researcher, Shawn Achor, says Happiness researcher, Shawn Achor, says email can make a difference in the quality and length of your life. No kidding! He suggests taking two minutes each day to write and send an email to another person – a direct report, a colleague, your boss, a customer, a supplier, a friend or […]
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