Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela are well known examples of the significant, life-altering difference one person can make in the lives of many. Yet, think about it:  those who’ve had a profound, defining impact on the person and professional you’ve become are probably far less famous than those I’ve […]

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Remember when your mother told you to sit up straight?  She knew what she was talking about.  Research has validated her good advice. Adoree Durayappah’s article in Psychology Today points out that when a person adopts the upright posture Mom always encouraged, they act in ways that represent power.  And interestingly, as the article points out, “the […]

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If you want to reduce the impact of stress in your life, take a lesson for our women and men returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Through partnership with Project Welcome Home Troops, Emma Seppala and her colleagues at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have been helping veterans deal with post-traumatic stress syndrome and calm their […]

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A recent McKinsey article sited consistency as THE key to customer satisfaction.  The research discusses Customer-journey consistency, Emotional consistency and Communication consistency: Customer-journey consistency describes the customer’s experience across various channels and interactions, from first-touch to purchase to service. Emotional consistency refers to the connection customers feel to the brand.  The more positive and trusting […]

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  Facebook’s COO, Sheryl Sandberg, in her best-selling book, a TED Talk and her women’s empowerment movement tells women to “Lean In.” Sam Horn, author, keynote speaker and intrigue expert, takes it a step further.  She says, “step up.”  Be less demur.  Speak up.  Value what you have to contribute. Take a bold, brave step […]

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Do you ever feel like you’re not really competent, but everyone else is?  Do you sometimes feel like you’re acting as if you belong, but you don’t.  Figure that it won’t be long until you’re found out?  When others praise your work or compliment you, do you doubt their sincerity or feel like the recognition […]

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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 and […]

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In the UK, they dubbed it “Fail Friday.”  Friday, January 24th was the day they predicted the Brit’s collective willpower would wain and resolutions would be broken.  Only 3 percent, the “Independent” article says, are likely to keep their resolutions for the entire year. In Canada, CTV’s story “Making, Breaking New Year’s Resolutions an Annual Tradition,” experts […]

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  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 […]

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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 employee, […]

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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 […]

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This year, Today Show’s Natalie Morales said her 2014 resolution is to live in the present.  She said it so fast, that I’m not sure she even took it seriously. Living in the present sounds like such a simple goal – unless you’ve tried to achieve it.  If you have, you know how difficult fully […]

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For nearly everyone, there comes a moment when you know it’s time to make a move.  You may be ready to move up to the next level, make a lateral move into a new functional area to broaden your experience, jump into a new industry or company and apply your skills, or do something entirely […]

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Hi Teressa, I am a 50-year-old senior manager for a Big 4 accounting firm.  After almost 10 years with my current employer, I recently learned that my position with the company is being eliminated and I now find myself back in the market trying to find a new job and competing with folks that are […]

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Beyond the usual office party advice, like not embarrassing yourself by drinking too much, dressing too provocatively or hooking up with a co-worker, here’s an updated list of things to consider for the 2013 office party season. 1) Avoid embarrassing or unprofessional poses.  Yes…that’s an old one that conjures up images of butts on Xerox […]

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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.  […]

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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 […]

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When I walked into his office, Will’s head was down, his brow looked furrowed, his chest was noticeably rising and falling, indicative of deep breathing, and he was writing furious. I waited until he finished and asked, “What are you working on?” “I’m writing out my rage!”  He smiled, pushed his pad aside and explained, […]

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In a recent Inc. article titled, “Make the Rest of 2013 More Successful,” Kevin Daum suggests you: Trim the fat and focus on your 2 to 3 most important goals. Step back from the fray of your day-to-day.  Assess, think and make a solid plan. Make sure your plan is well structured with specific milestones […]

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