A Mistake Repeated Is A Decision Brazilian Novelist Paulo Coelho once said, “A mistake repeated more than once is a decision.” I was struck by this simple, yet profound, statement. It says a lot about our power to consciously choose our destiny. We’re supposed to learn from our mistakes. But, if we knowingly repeat an […]
Read More →> Relationships At Work Given how much time we spend at the office, it’s not surprising that many love relationships begin there. Rather than being led exclusively by your heart, we have to remember that it’s important to involve your head when it comes to how a workplace relationship plays out. To avoid problems, check […]
Read More →My Secret Weapon Question That Instantly Diffuses Anger Whether on the highway, when the driver in front of you won’t get out of your way, or during a conversation when the other person won’t listen to your point, or when a co-worker takes up your valuable time talking about his problems, at times, we all could […]
Read More →Meetings That Move Things Forward Today’s work environment is meeting intensive. In-person meetings and conference calls can take up a lot of our valuable workday. Here are 3 tips that can make effective use of your time and move projects forward. Set and send out your agenda beforehand. Include how much time you intend to […]
Read More →Effective Apologies Have you ever wondered how best to say you’re sorry after making a big mistake? Researchers at Ohio State & Eastern Kentucky University’s may have the answer. They determined that there are 6 elements that make up an effective apology. Participants in the study ranked the first two elements ‑- acknowledging you made […]
Read More →Culture vs. Strategy Peter Drucker said, “Culture eats strategy for lunch.” The right strategy plays an important role in any company’s success. But, the right culture makes implementing that strategy easier and more sustainable. Culture is nourished by hiring people who have the necessary education and skills, but who also who embody the organization’s core […]
Read More →CQ = Conversational Intelligence First there was IQ. Then came EQ or Emotional Intelligence. Now Judith Glazer of “The Harvard Coaching Institute” has introduced the concept of CQ – which stands for Conversational Intelligence. CQ taps into our need for self-expression and validation. Glazer says that in environments where people can share their aspirations, […]
Read More →I enjoy ads and commercials. The good ones stick with me. I’m impacted by their images, sounds and words. The best ones have a dramatic tagline or slogan – a succinct, repeatable core message about the product or service that conveys the essence of what the company wants you to believe and remember. They’re designed […]
Read More →Recently I was sent a link to Erika Anderson’s Forbes article about the “Most Important Reason People Fail In A New Job.” Her answer, in a nutshell: they don’t fit in to the established culture. For some, culture may feel too touchy feely or intangible. But no matter where you work, culture exists. Prescribed […]
Read More →I bet you still have parties, dinners, drinks and drop-bys on your holiday social calendar. Whether it’s a company-sponsored event, a colleague-hosted gathering, or a party with family and friends, put your best foot forward. Steer clear of “too many” and “too much:”…too many bad jokes, too much heated political debate, too many […]
Read More →Looking for a way to bring order to your next team meeting? Work with the group to establish mutually agreed upon behavioral norms. Here are several examples to prime the pump: Participate fully; be present and engaged. Communicate honestly and candidly; put it all on the table. Speak one at a time; […]
Read More →The next time you have a difference of opinion with someone, before beginning an argument or concluding they’re wrong or crazy, practice the skill of Inquiry. Inquiry is a respectful way of probing in order to better understand another’s reasoning and can help you avoid drawing faulty conclusions based on false assumptions about what’s going […]
Read More →The level of trust in your organization impacts the bottom line. When trust is low, so is morale. Disengaged employees quit working, but keep showing up at the office. Turnover among the most capable and competent workers increases. Productivity decreases. Redundancy, held in place by bureaucratic silos, saps vitality and strengthens the potential for toxic […]
Read More →If you’re looking for a mentor, show up as a great prospect. Here are characteristics a number of senior leaders say they look for in mentees. Someone who: Knows their strengths and wants to learn how to fully leverage them. Has strong opinions, is willing to express and substantiate them, while remaining open, flexible and […]
Read More →The late, great Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” The answer to whether it matters whether you make your employees feel good, is YES. Even Forbes.com agrees. In their article “11 Simple Ways […]
Read More →You can stimulate workplace learning and discussion that results in real change. You can help ideas gain traction – new ideas to enhance your organization’s culture, strengthen its leadership and improve its financial performance. How? Share books and articles. Share good ideas and best practices. Encourage discussion about new, forward-looking possibilities. Relevant, thought-provoking readings are […]
Read More →You’ve probably heard the news about an interim report issued by Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin on the systemic problems in the Veteran’s Affairs agency. The report intensified scrutiny and resulted in expansion of the number of VA facilities to be reviewed. If you’re a leader, consider allowing this situation to stimulate a deeper, broader […]
Read More →While facilitating a strategic alignment retreat with a CEO and his senior team, they struggled to identify exactly what to do to change the culture. Finally, having nothing that felt like a good idea, I convinced them to involve the next level down. They agreed. In the meeting with the broader leadership team – the […]
Read More →You’ve probably heard the news about an interim report issued by Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin on the systemic problems in the Veteran’s Affairs agency. The report intensified scrutiny and resulted in expansion of the number of VA facilities to be reviewed. As a leader, consider allowing this situation to stimulate a deeper, broader look […]
Read More →According to Barry Oshry, author and founder of Power + Systems, middle managers often feel torn, squeezed; caught between a rock and a hard place. They understand what top leadership expects, they know what the broader workforce wants, and, where there is a gap between the reality of top management and workers, middles become the […]
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