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 […]

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  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 […]

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  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 […]

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    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 […]

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    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 […]

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    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.” […]

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    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 […]

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    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. […]

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  Near the end of my meeting Jack, a member of the company’s senior leadership team, surprisingly, he reminded me that March is Women’s History Month. I asked what that meant to him. He said, “It’s a time to be reminded of women’s struggle for equality, the progress that’s been made, and the work ahead […]

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    We’ve all heard the expression, “In life, it’s not what happens to you that counts most, it’s how you respond.” Amy Morin, in her new book titled 13 Things Mentally Strong People Do says the mentally resilient have core beliefs that help them cope with challenges, thrive in the face of conflict and […]

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  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 […]

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  Professional speaker, Jim Rohn, says, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” That’s something to think about! And, it makes sense. We’re impacted by our environment – our physical surroundings and relationships. The people with whom we interact regularly influence how we think, feel and behave. Who are […]

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  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, […]

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Are your current business goals big, more challenging than ever? Do they feel unrealistic, impractical, unattainable? What if the goal is not the issue, but you are…you and your limiting beliefs? I call them LIES – the Labels, Illusions, Excuses and Stories…self-talk that stops you from thinking creatively and keeps you stuck in fear-based, unproductive […]

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    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 […]

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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 […]

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  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 […]

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  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 […]

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  Designated as Black History month, February is the time when we spotlight the rich and diverse history of Americans of African descent. You, your company, and other organizations you’re involved in, can learn about and honor contributions African Americans have made to our country, and the world.  Here are several ideas to consider: · […]

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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, […]

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