Call me old-fashioned, but I like receiving a response when I communicate, unless I say, “No need to reply.” And, from a number of recent conversations, I know I’m not the only one with a preference for closing the communication loop. So, if I call you, please call me back. If I text you, […]

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  Business Resource Groups, or BRGs, add a valuable dimension to every organization’s diversity and inclusion initiative. These voluntary, company-sponsored, employee-led groups, supported by top leadership, are a great way for employees to get to know one another and be a source of support to those who share a common demographic and/or are interested in […]

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      Here are a few practices that can boost your happiness quotient, at work, in relationships, anywhere you find yourself. Focus on what’s working well. Choose to give your attention to what’s good and satisfying. Be aware of yourself and others, but not critical. Notice behavior without judgment, blame or condemnation. In every […]

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    Once again, research affirms what we know about the benefits of spending time in natural settings. Exposure to green trees, grass, bushes, and flowers, as well as blue spaces – those with still or running water –renews and refreshes us, helps us feel more connected to life. To add nature’s beneficial greens and […]

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    Developing your reports, and mentoring others, is a big, critically important part of every manager’s job. Yet, some do work their reports could do. They solve problems others could handle with coaching. When an employee comes and describes a challenge he or she is having with a task, process or relationship, particularly if […]

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  Recently I was sent a link to Erika Anderson’s Forbes article about the “Most Important Reason People Fail In A New Job.” Her answer, in a nutshell: they don’t fit in to the established culture. For some, culture may feel too touchy feely or intangible. But no matter where you work, culture exists. Prescribed […]

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  The word gossip carries a negative connotation, yet we all do it. We share good and bad news about someone who’s not in the room, and we do it for a couple of reasons. First of all, information is power. By being the one to share a juicy tidbit, you demonstrate that you’re in […]

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  Activist & Black Panther Eldridge Cleaver is credited with first saying “Your either part of the solution or your part of the problem.” Today, those words are often heard in association with employees and their role within a company. So, how do you know if you’re on the solution or problem side of the […]

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  We make thousands of decisions every day. There are infinite forces at work that cloud judgment, divert good intentions and give rise to internal conflict. Love of money, fame and fortune may be the obvious culprits, but well-meaning advice from trusted sources can also lead you astray. Most of the time we don’t even […]

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      When you engage with others, particularly when raising an issue, be clear about the role you want them to play. Knowing what you want, and asking for it, enables others to do a better of job of helping you in just the way you want. For example, you could ask the person […]

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      In her book, The Essentials of Business Etiquette, Barbara Pachter provides readers with many valuable tools for success, including tips that will help you manage your smartphone use with intelligence. Pachter says: Speak your first and last name when answering your your phone. Make sure the volume of your speaking voice is […]

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    When interacting across differences – cultural, personal or positional – don’t despair if you blunder. Don’t be hard on yourself. And, above all, don’t give up. Flubs and blunders are a natural consequence of the learning process. As appropriate, make amends and keep moving forward. No, I’m not suggesting that you tell the […]

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  Are you putting forth the quality of effort real success demands? Do you give your dreams and goals your best effort, every single day? Or, are you more in the habit of talking about success, while your constructive actions are insufficient and inconsistent? Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave who became an Abolitionist, famed orator, […]

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Do you labor under the Illusion that IQ drives effectiveness?  For most roles, IQ and technical skills are important entry-level requirements.  But, once you rise to the level of managing and leading, Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, is what sets you apart. No doubt, IQ may predict whether you’re capable of handling the cognitive challenges associated […]

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    As one who has committed her professional pursuits to helping others become more self-aware – more attuned to the degree to which their intentions and impact align, hear me out: if you’re a boss who tends to be moody, it’s hard for your reports and colleagues to relax and feel safe in your […]

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    Every moment of every day, your company’s culture makes itself evident – to those who live and work in and to visitors. Recently, I was facilitating a large group meeting. Several members of the workforce arrived before management. They milled around for a while, found seats and got comfortable, chatted briefly, scanned their […]

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      A senior leader asked me to work with him on several challenges, one of which is to how to get his team to be more participative during staff meetings. Of course, he invited me to a staff meeting to witness him in action. Within ten minutes, the problem became crystal clear. He […]

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    If you’re feeling unfocused, future direction is unclear, goals and priorities are misaligned, teammates and colleagues are competing in unconstructive ways, everyone is NOT on the same page, the time may be right for a retreat. A retreat process a rare and valuable opportunity to step out of the pace of daily pressure, […]

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If you’re looking for ways to be more productive, here are several tips from a Fast Company article titled, “The Art of Doing Everything.” Don’t waste time on unnecessary decisions, like what to eat for breakfast or lunch.  Eat the same thing everyday.  Also, for men and women, consider simplifying your work wardrobe.  For example, […]

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You can stimulate workplace learning and discussion that results in real change.  You can help ideas gain traction – new ideas to enhance your organization’s culture, strengthen its leadership and improve its financial performance.  How?  Share books and articles. Share good ideas and best practices.  Encourage discussion about new, forward-looking possibilities.  Relevant, thought-provoking readings are […]

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