I enjoy ads and commercials. The good ones stick with me. I’m impacted by their images, sounds and words. The best ones have a dramatic tagline or slogan – a succinct, repeatable core message about the product or service that conveys the essence of what the company wants you to believe and remember. They’re designed […]
Read More →Keen observers of self and others have a competitive edge. But, too often, our willingness to pay attention is dialed down too low. Much that we should see, and could capitalize on, passes us by. We’re blinded by the habit of inattention. We’re no longer fully present, noticing what’s going on within us and around […]
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 →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 →Is there someone in your workplace whose behavior and career you’re watching? Do you interact with them in ways that make your professional interest evident? Workplace mentoring not only benefits the mentee. The mentor, your employer (or your business if you’re the eployer) and your industry all stand to gain from mentor-mentee relationships. Human beings need […]
Read More →Abraham Maslow’s approach to psychology was unique. He was the man responsible for identifying our “Hierarchy of Needs,” which describes how human beings prioritize getting their needs met. His diagram placed the most pressing “psychological” or basic needs at the bottom of the pyramid. Breathing, food, water, sex and sleep are among the basic needs […]
Read More →When unwanted results show up, and they always do, where do you put your energy and attention? On the problem or the solution? If you’re like the majority of people, in your personal and professional life, the things you don’t want end up captivating you. You think about them. Talk about them. Wrestle with them. […]
Read More →The late, great Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” The answer to whether it matters whether you make your employees feel good, is YES. Even Forbes.com agrees. In their article “11 Simple Ways […]
Read More →Is there someone in your workplace who you feel is exactly your opposite? Perhaps, a bit of a thorn in your side? You don’t understand her thought process or agree with how he operates. He’s annoying. She’s difficult to deal with. News flash: this person may be just the thorn in your side you need. […]
Read More →You’ve probably heard the news about an interim report issued by Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin on the systemic problems in the Veteran’s Affairs agency. The report intensified scrutiny and resulted in expansion of the number of VA facilities to be reviewed. If you’re a leader, consider allowing this situation to stimulate a deeper, broader […]
Read More →When New York Times Editor Jill Abramson was fired, she was in the process of working with a career consultant who was helping her address some of the “management style” problems that reportedly did her in. Understanding how you’re perceived by others at work is invaluable knowledge that can be put to use to enhance your […]
Read More →Are you busy – perhaps so busy those looking in would say you’re over-functioning? To nearly any request that comes your way, do you say, “Yes?” Do you take care of others to the point they regularly look to you to do what they really could do themselves? Overwhelmed and stressed, at the end of your […]
Read More →Do you have the same mindset as Earvin “Magic” Johnson? He says, “I am a businessman. This is what I do each and every day. I love it. I love coming to work. I never have a bad day.” Do you feel the same way? Do you love your work? Daily, do you get up […]
Read More →Dear Teressa, My boss is an excellent manager and a very inspirational leader. However, I have a colleague, who I think is a good person, but who seems to very much resent this boss. This colleague is also very good friends with my boss’s boss. The colleague is now making life very difficult and taking […]
Read More →Experts say the reason people throw temper tantrums into adulthood is because they work. This frightening behavior gets the tantrum thrower exactly what they want – even if it is at the cost of co-workers or workplace civility. The first step to taking the sting out of another’s workplace tantrum – whether it’s your […]
Read More →I meet a fair number of business leaders who say they are empathy-challenged. Empathy is the ability to recognize and identify the emotions being experienced by another person. It’s one of the five components of Emotional Intelligence. Because it enables others to feel like you connect with them, it is an important skill set for […]
Read More →The holiday office party offers a unique opportunity for employees to bond with each other and people higher up in the company in ways they can’t during the work day. It can be more than an opportunity to “let your hair down.” Company parties are a great time to make an impression that can impact […]
Read More →Dear Teressa, Any advice on how I can get more people to speak up in my meetings? ~John V. John, I’m glad to hear that you’re a leader who wants more voices in the conversation – more people engaged and contributing. Here are several strategies that have worked for a number of my clients. […]
Read More →I’m a manager in a large company with 15 direct reports. Sometimes, I have trouble figuring out how to handle certain performance problems. How do I figure out what to do? ~D.G. Dear D.G., Here are a few “how to” pointers for your consideration. As you weigh various options, remember to make use of […]
Read More →Dear Teressa, I currently work part time in education and I absolutely LOVE IT!!! But I’m working a full time job I totally dislike. How does a single mother with two children, break into a career that she absolutely loves, even after exhausting her “network,” applying to numerous jobs in the education field, extremely active on […]
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