A CareerBuilders survey says 71% of employers value emotional intelligence, or EQ, over IQ. Many employers believe people can be taught “hard,” or technical skillls more readily than EQ, the required softer, human relations skills. I agree with their assessment. For more than 30 years as a speaker, leadership development expert and executive coach, […]
Read More →In a forbes.com article, Victor Lipman, reports on the results of a survey titled, The 7 Key Trends Impacting Today’s Workplace. The survey, conducted by TINYpulse, asked the question: “What motivates you to excel and go the extra mile at your organization?” You might think the answer would be mega money, or a promotion. […]
Read More →A CareerBuilders survey says 71% of employer’s value emotional intelligence, or EQ, over IQ. Many employers believe people can be taught “hard,” or technical skillls more readily than EQ, the required softer, human relations skills. I agree with their assessment. For more than 30 years as a speaker, leadership development expert and executive […]
Read More →Researchers at Northwestern University hypothesize that highly generative adults, those who are committed to their own growth and that of future generations, tell stories of redemption about their lives. Redemption stories are the form used in fairy tales and enthralling literature. Generally, while moving through life merrily, the heroine or hero encounters unexpected hardships […]
Read More →If you’ve been thinking about hiring a coach for one of your reports, check your intentions. Do NOT hire a coach for an employee if you’re using the coach to avoid the tedious, frustrating task of motivating a resistant learner; giving candid feedback on sensitive subjects; or delivering a tough message about poor performance […]
Read More →For weeks, Kathy, John’s direct report, worked on the presentation for the new product launch. “At every regional meeting, she nailed it,” he said, proudly. Next week, I take it to senior management.” “Why are you taking it,” I asked? “Why not Kathy?” “Oh, they can be a tough group with their probes, challenges […]
Read More →Whether you’re the big boss, a middle manager, or an employee on the frontlines working to advance business goals, you can increase cooperation and support by being transparent about what you’re doing and why. Target the content of your WHAT and WHY story so it’s audience appropriate. Solicit feedback from key stakeholders and […]
Read More →Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo, is quoted as saying, “I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of, ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.” […]
Read More →Are you rooted in an old story about who you are and what you’re capable of? Here’s an easy way to take stock and get up to speed with who you are, here and now: Write Out Your Accomplishments. List all that you’ve experienced, learned, contributed and achieved since your last self-inventory. Put […]
Read More →To have a lasting impact as a leader, develop your people! Stop being so task-oriented, to-do-list driven, scheduled to the hilt. Your people need you! Make time to lead and grow your biggest asset. Meet one-on-one with your reports, regularly, to discuss the specifics of their role, major projects and their current performance. […]
Read More →During a recent workshop, a participant confessed his lack of empathy, a core dimension of emotional intelligence. He said, “I don’t have any and I don’t know how to even begin to think about feeling the way others do.” Given the laughter and head nodding, he was not alone. To his surprise, I told […]
Read More →You can boost employee trust, loyalty and engagement through the use of one simple strategy: put emphasis on developing your people. Here are two ways to do just that. 1. Regularly provide behavior-based feedback, as evidence of your interest in supporting each person’s success. Remember the 5 to 1 ratio – offer 5 appreciative […]
Read More →Like any classic, Bernard Bass’s book, Leadership and Performance Beyond Expectations, remains relevant 30 years post-publication. He said leaders who transform their environment, and the people around them: -Demonstrates integrity and fairness. -Sets clear goals that require stretch. -Has high expectations of herself and others. -Encourages others to perform well – to […]
Read More →Does other people’s resistance to new ideas or important process changes frustrate you? Don’t dig your heels in and debate. Instead of resisting their resistance, consider their “NO,” whether stated or demonstrated through their behavior, as a call for conversation – an opportunity to more fully understand all aspects of their perspective. Ask […]
Read More →Leaders often face dilemmas – situations wherein there is no clear solution, no definitive right or wrong answer. It becomes easy to bounce between what can be defined as opposing alternatives. For example, do we set team or individual goals? Do we want stability or change? Do we give priority to task and […]
Read More →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 […]
Read More →On a recent trip to my bank, I encountered an employee who had more excuses for not helping me than solutions to my problem. She simply apologized, over and over and over again. It became clear that she wasn’t open to identifying a solution for a valued customer. She didn’t offer to call […]
Read More →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 […]
Read More →When leaders accept a new role, or move to a new company, they enter with the intention of having measurable impact; to deliver on the promise their unique portfolio of experiences, skills and potential holds. As a coach, I’m often in the position of encouraging them to take the long view: First, get […]
Read More →Coaching the senior team as they prepared for a department-wide meeting about recent employee survey results, I listened as they talked about sharing the findings. When they began discussing a timeline for getting back to employees with solutions to the problems raised, I had to put the brakes on. “This idea,” I said […]
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