Research suggests investing in experiences generates enduring enjoyment, while the pleasure of tangible goods – a new watch, bigger television, or this season’s hottest trends, tends to be short-lived. Michael Norton, of the Harvard Business School agrees and has written a book on the subject called, Happy Money: The Science of Spending Smarter. […]
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 →A recent Harris Poll corroborates a pattern I’ve noticed as I interact with keynote attendees, workshop participants, coachees and those with whom I consult: roughly, only one-third of adults in the US are happy and satisfied. While it’s challenging to account for the drivers of dissatisfaction and decreasing optimism, it is possible to shift […]
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 →Arianna Huffington says, “We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.” If you’re feeling stuck, stagnant, resentful or bored, examine your mind and heart. Uncover the places where fear of […]
Read More →I see it often – leadership teams at odds with each other, despite in-the-meeting agreements. Consciously or unconsciously, it seems that once back in their realm, silo walls go up, willingness and ability to work in cross-functional partnership goes down. To facilitate more effective teamwork I structure opportunities for members to get to […]
Read More →Interviewer, or the interviewed, you know the operative belief that past behavior patterns are seen as a trustworthy predictors of future performance. It’s true; others judge us based on our history – whether experienced directly or inferred from a resume. In fact, researchers who study social systems, and the workplace is a social […]
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 →In every aspect of our lives, relationships are critically important. Healthy relationships are clean, free of assumptions about who she is, what his intentions really are, why she said what she did, why he behaves as he does. If you want to strengthen a relationship, deepen communication by checking out assumptions, instead of acting […]
Read More →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, […]
Read More →Here are the 5 practices to integrate into the way you think and behave, when you want to enhance the level of trust on your team, feel more connected to the people you work with, day-to-day, convey expectations with clarity, confidence and compassion and be seen as a competent leader: First, recognize your […]
Read More →Do you labor under the Illusion that IQ drives effectiveness? For most roles, IQ and technical skills are important threshold capabilities – entry-level requirements. Once you rise to the levels of managing and leading, Emotional Intelligence is what sets you apart. No doubt, IQ may predict whether you’re capable of handling the cognitive challenges associated […]
Read More →Differentiate yourself from the masses – that large group of average performers – and stand out like a star. First step: strengthen your emotional intelligence – a set of personal skills identified as key drivers of outstanding performance. Research says, at all job levels, Emotional Intelligence is twice as important as your technical and […]
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 →Recently, I heard a Vietnamese proverb that says, “When eating a fruit, think of the person who planted the tree.” The saying called my attention to the times and ways I don’t “think of the person who planted the tree.” It reminded me that everything I accomplish, and all the conveniences and freedoms I enjoy, […]
Read More →At one point or another, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Be here now.” More and more, it’s becoming a popular expression in business circles. While sharing his 2015 goals with me, a coaching client mentioned that “Be here now,” was one of his 2015 commitments. He explained that he had already begun doing a […]
Read More →If you’re a current member of the workforce, whether you’re the CEO, a middle manager, administrative assistant, or the security guard, continual learning and growth are key to your success. Today, all workers and and their jobs are impacted by rapid changes in technology, as well as market forces that are often unpredictable […]
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 […]
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