Do you understand the importance of relationships in the workplace? Are you able to get things done in a way that doesn’t ruffle feathers?  If your answer is “Yes,” very likely you’re seen as a mover and shaker.  If “No” is your response, your effectiveness and reputation are suffering. If you work with people, in […]

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What’s top of mind for you, right now? If you’re not sure, be still for a moment.  Discover the answer.  What words, story, and physical sensations are playing in the background of your thoughts and feelings?  Don’t be surprised if concerns, worries, pressures, should’s and ought to’s dominate.  Anxiety, fear and worry are all too […]

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What are your thoughts about the idea of being self-made? Recently, I saw a man wearing a t-shirt with the caption, “SELF-MADE!” It was written in CAPS and seemed to scream at me, emphasizing the point. It got my attention, perhaps because earlier that day a client and I talked about how interdependent we really […]

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Research suggests offices with open floor plans can be satisfying for extraverts who enjoy convenient access to colleagues and find the environment stimulating, while introverts tend to feel less satisfied. Extravert or introvert, here are a several tips that may help you feel more comfortable and be more productive. First, know your personality and acknowledge […]

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Thanksgiving is a one of my favorite holidays! It calls my attention to the bounty of blessings I enjoy every day…and don’t always acknowledge. Whatever our circumstances, no matter how privileged or challenging life may be, too often, we give too much energy and attention to what’s wrong, what’s lacking, what’s worrisome. In so doing, […]

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Buddha said, “Those who have failed to work toward the truth have missed the purpose of living.” This reminds me to look beyond the story of my limited, personal truth about situations and people. Whether in the workplace or in our private lives, we have to look beyond our limited understanding to see truth. For […]

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How do you feel about work?   More specifically, your particular job? A recent study found that people who are emotionally attached to their work and identify with it enjoy a greater sense of psychological wellbeing. That’s meaningful to employees and employers. You’re motivated to do a better job when you identify with your work. You […]

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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 […]

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Jeffery Davis of trackingwonder.com suggests that after a period of intense focus on a task, its helpful to change your rhythm by doing something different; interject something pleasurable and off task. He recommends taking a 5 to 20 minute relaxing, fun-filled break to clear your mind. Consider going for a walk, listening to music, dancing, […]

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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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    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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  Near the end of my meeting Jack, a member of the company’s senior leadership team, surprisingly, he reminded me that March is Women’s History Month. I asked what that meant to him. He said, “It’s a time to be reminded of women’s struggle for equality, the progress that’s been made, and the work ahead […]

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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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    As part of its Diversity and Inclusion program, does your organization celebrate the many social changes and achievements spurred by the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? If so, join in! If not, here are a few ideas to consider…many of which are utilized by some of the country’s largest […]

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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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While facilitating a strategic alignment retreat with a CEO and his senior team, they struggled to identify exactly what to do to change the culture.  Finally, having nothing that felt like a good idea, I convinced them to involve the next level down.  They agreed. In the meeting with the broader leadership team – the […]

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Curiosity, a natural activity of an intelligent mind, is peaked when presented with thought-provoking questions – questions that make the listener think.  When we’re open to queries and view interrogatives, no matter how challenging they may, as an opportunity to explore a new area and learn something we didn’t know, we serve the process of […]

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A recent Forbes article took a fresh look at what it takes to be an inspiring leader.  The six qualities described go beyond charisma and give proof that successful leadership not a one-size-fits-all equation. Do you possess the qualities that make others want to follow you? Are you a visionary – someone who provides a […]

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