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 […]
Read More →What makes a difference in the moment-to-moment quality of your life, at work and at home? Having a sense of purpose. An inspiring mission or sense of calling. As human beings, we need something to believe in, something that feels like a higher calling. Something that adds meaning to our existence. To be more engaged, […]
Read More →Buddha said, “Those who have failed to work toward the truth have missed the purpose of living.” This reminds me to look beyond the story of my limited, personal truth about situations and people. Whether in the workplace or in our private lives, we have to look beyond our limited understanding to see truth. For […]
Read More →How do you feel about work? More specifically, your particular job? A recent study found that people who are emotionally attached to their work and identify with it enjoy a greater sense of psychological wellbeing. That’s meaningful to employees and employers. You’re motivated to do a better job when you identify with your work. You […]
Read More →Think about something you’ve learned. For example, how to manage meetings, make effective presentations, write well, play tennis or golf. How to be a good listener, a great salesperson, teacher, parent or surfer. Whatever you know how to do today, you’ve learned it by degrees. I call it learning in layers. The first layer of […]
Read More →Perfectionism hinders the success and peace of mind of many people. If you’re a perfectionist, here are several points to consider. They may enable you to free yourself from the controlling grip of this menace. First, realize that perfection is an Illusion. It’s one of the LIES That Limit. As humans, we make mistakes. Perfection […]
Read More →What do you do when bad news lands at your door? When you face failure, deal with disappointment, receive less than flattering feedback? Do you feel hurt? Paralyzed with fear? Do you turn away, recoil from the situation, deny the issue and your part in it? Does your mood become sullen and sour, or […]
Read More →Resistance is data. Don’t make it a problem. Don’t push against it, get angry, or wonder, “What’s wrong with them?” When I say resistance, I’m referencing those moments when you feel others are working in opposition to you. They’re saying, “No,” for no apparent reason, countering your good ideas, being confrontational and unhelpful, fighting against […]
Read More →The group, all senior leaders, was discussing the new business vision and strategy. Soon, the conversation took a deep dive into the details concerning how certain initiatives would be designed and executed. As their facilitator, I called their attention to what they were doing and asked if this was the level of conversation […]
Read More →Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, author of Not In God’s Name, writes about the rise in religious extremism and violence committed in the name of God. While being interviewed about his recent book, the show’s host asked him why he toned down some of his commentary from earlier writings on the subject. Rabbi Sacks replied, “I recognized […]
Read More →The CEO was clear on the objectives of the leadership team’s summit. My job was to design the meeting and facilitate the group’s work. I asked him what he thought would be the most important contribution I could make, as their facilitator. His reply: “Keep us focused on the strategic. We tend to get into […]
Read More →Keen observers of self and others have a competitive edge. But, too often, our willingness to pay attention is dialed down too low. Much that we should see, and could capitalize on, passes us by. We’re blinded by the habit of inattention. We’re no longer fully present, noticing what’s going on within us and around […]
Read More →While facilitating a workshop, the participants, all senior leaders, began talking about how hard it is to get their people to buy-in to important changes. They described their workforce as resistant to change. I asked them to think about themselves and recall the day they received word of their promotion…to remember all they thought and […]
Read More →Keen observers of self and others have a competitive edge. But, too often, our willingness to pay attention is dialed down too low. Much that we should see, and could capitalize on, passes us by. We’re blinded by the habit of inattention. We’re no longer fully present, noticing what’s going on within us and around […]
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