Every individual, every task, project, team, department and business, has a purpose – a distinct contribution to make. We feel most satisfied, and successful, when performing the service, or utilizing skills and qualities that align with our sense of purpose. If you want to do work that resonates with your heart-felt sense of purpose, remember, […]
Read More →How do you feel when someone says to you, “I have a question for you?” Do you say, “YES!,” with great excitement and anticipation? Or, do you feel a little anxious, perhaps defensive, concerned about whether you know the answer? Many people feel more comfortable with answers than they do questions. They prefer the knowing […]
Read More →In a recent blog post titled, “The World’s Worst Boss,” Seth Godin reminded us that we are our own bosses. We’re in charge of all aspects of our lives. The post prodding readers with statements like, “If you had a boss who talked to you the way you talk to yourself, you would quit. Or […]
Read More →Recently, a new client told me that two years ago her boss articulated a vision for how she wanted the senior leadership team to operate. Today, she said, “People are behaving exactly as they have for years. There’s been no change. We’re still highly paid technical experts – not developers of people, and certainly not […]
Read More →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 […]
Read More →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 […]
Read More →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 […]
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 and […]
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 […]
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 employee, […]
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 →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 →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 […]
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 […]
Read More →Q: Dear Teressa, I have a burning desire and drive for making my Motivational Speaking business a huge success. It is important to mention that I discovered my purpose (Motivational Speaking) in 2010 but I started speaking at school during my spare time in 2007. I am a full time employee at a public institution working […]
Read More →I voluntarily had myself videotaped twice in the last few weeks. One taping was of a keynote address, the other of a golf lesson. Both were incredibly instructive. I picked up specific behaviors, many of them subtle, that I could only fully understand by watching myself in action. Pictures really speak thousands of words, but […]
Read More →Every week, the content of my Office Talk Report is based on a real-life scenarios – ones I’ve experienced as a facilitator, executive and personal growth coach, keynote speaker, as well as a manager and leader. Unresolved challenges at work and in life often get in the way of productivity and personal satisfaction. They cause us to question ourselves and the value of contributions we make. Issues at […]
Read More →The relaxed pace of summer is, essentially, behind us. Fall is nearly here. Hard to believe, but true. It’s time to refocus on “work” – whatever your age and stage in life. For the kids, its back to school. If you’re in the responsible adult category, you may feel called to re-engage with the particular […]
Read More →“I hear and I forget. I see and I understand. I do and I remember.” Though Confucius spoke those words long ago, they remain relevant, today. We’re approaching the beginning of the new school year for children and adults who’ve returned to school or who are continuing through the advance degree process. But even if […]
Read More →One of my favorite comic strips is set in a bookstore. In one corner of the store, there is a section with a sign that reads, “Self Help. ” Right next to it, there’s a sign for the “Fixing Others” section. The “Self-Help” section has one person in it while the “Fixing Others” section is […]
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