When it comes to behavior change, did you know that asking questions could be more influential than making statements? Did you know that posing questions in a way that invites a “Yes” or “No” response can more effectively encourage the desired behavior than a declarative statement? The results of a 40-year research study conducted by […]
Read More →Before the year ends, take some private time with your journal – electronic or old-school paper and pencil – and make note of everything 2015 brought to you. Make special note of what was good. Much of the good you may have planned for and expected. Some of the good may have been unanticipated surprises. […]
Read More →At work and everywhere you go this holiday season spread good cheer. The world needs your positive energy and good feeling vibes. In fact, YOU benefit greatly, psychologically and biologically, when you’re in a positive, cheerful frame of mind. So, think good thoughts. Wear a heart-felt smile. And, practice patience, particularly when others have lost […]
Read More →I hope you’ve been attending holiday gatherings, and having a great time connecting with colleagues and friends – wherever they sit in your organization’s hierarchy. This is the time of year when many of us slow down a little. We relax and chill out. Our hearts tend to be a little more open, making it […]
Read More →Happy Holidays! I hope you’re enjoying this season that begins at Thanksgiving stretches straight through to the New Year. Festive sights and sounds and positive energy are all around. Even in the workplace, there is an air of joy as colleagues gather for luncheons and parties. In meetings over the last few weeks, I’ve […]
Read More →It’s the end of quarter AND the end of the year. If you’re feeling under pressure to get it all done, you’re not alone. Most of us are walking around with the physical or e-version of long lists. We want to wrap up loose ends, clear the slate, and prepare for a fresh start in […]
Read More →This year, the social climate feels a little different to me. I’m aware of the tension in relationships across groups – political, religious, racial, etc. There seems to be more sensitivity and more potential than usual for disagreements to erupt. So, as you move through your procession of holiday gatherings, add an extra measure of […]
Read More →In the workplace, and in every part of life, creating and sustaining spaces and places where people, with their differences and similarities, come together peacefully and work together harmoniously, is a real challenge. In your search for solutions, consider meditation. In fact, a specific Buddhist meditation called loving-kindness has had some amazing effects when it […]
Read More →My husband likes to say, “A plan is one thing. Planning is everything.” His mantra speaks to the idea that a plan is an important tool, and being flexible and adapting as you move forward is essential to success. Do you create a plan and get locked in, when what’s really needed is the flexibility […]
Read More →Using the Implicit Assumption Tests, IATs, as well as, visualization and the loving kindness meditation, a Buddhist practice known to engender feelings of happiness and kindness towards oneself and others, researchers have made an interesting discovery. They’ve found that just seven minutes of the loving-kindness meditation, with the meditator focused on a person of a […]
Read More →“Sleep is important for learning new information.” So says a study published in the journal Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. Researchers tested subjects’ ability to recall information under two sets of conditions – limited sleep and a full eight hours. Results indicate we remember more when we’re well rested. The findings, they say, apply to […]
Read More →In professional and social settings, being able to recognize a person’s face, recall their name and pronounce it correctly, is an asset. Some people use their formal name over the commonly associated nickname – like Bill for William or Peggy for Margaret. Listen to how others introduce themselves – the name they use and how […]
Read More →Thanksgiving initiates a season of celebration that lasts for nearly five weeks. For so many of us, a festive air prevails that permeates life, even in the workplace. We enjoy celebratory lunches and dinners with colleagues and friends. We laugh and dance the night away at the company holiday party. Bring in savory treats to […]
Read More →Regularly, I travel to my clients in New York City. Most often, I drive. While I would prefer to take the bus or train, their schedules seldom coincide with mine. Luckily, I like to drive. It’s quiet, meditative time for me. It gives me an opportunity time to slip out of the routine thinking of […]
Read More →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, […]
Read More →Attending networking events is a great way to meet new people who can help you with your goals or career ambitions. But if you’re someone who finds such events difficult and uncomfortable, consider this option. Volunteer for a non-profit organization. Join a board or a committee. Or become a regular participant with a leadership role […]
Read More →In her book “Strategize To Win,” Carla Harris writes about performance currency and relationship currency. Performance currency comes from doing your job well, building a strong track record through stellar performance and delivering on time and above expectation. Performance currency is most important to build when you’re starting out. Early on in your career, it […]
Read More →Consider the people around you – those at home and at work. You have a story about each of them. They have one about you. These static stories seldom change, unless we challenge them by intentionally expanding our thinking. Two steps are involved. 1. Acknowledge you don’t have a complete, accurate picture. 2. Consciously open […]
Read More →If you’re sitting at your desk, or standing at your workstation, doing the minimum, hoping the day will end soon, too bad! You’re dying a slow death and you’re contributing to the demise of your employer. Anyone can have a slump. You just don’t have much energy and, in a way, you don’t even care. […]
Read More →Recently, I called on a number of technical experts for assistance. I found more disappointment than satisfaction. People seemed to be reading scripts, absent real understanding of their products and processes. If you’re looking to stand out in your workplace, insure that each customer you come in contact with leaves feeling good about the interaction […]
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