Here are two strategies you can implement today to develop your direct reports. Invite a team member to join you for your next important meeting with customers, peers or senior management. Explain the purpose of the meeting, in advance. Prep the person for a role such as presenting a topic or documenting follow-up items. […]
Read More →When problematic situations occur, remember, you don’t have to solve them yourself, particularly if others are impacted. Specify the issue, as you see it, and invite others to work with you to brainstorm potential solutions. Before you begin generating ideas, explain the process by which the successful solution will be selected – for example, […]
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 →Emotional Intelligence – the ability to understand others and ourselves, is a powerful business tool, no matter your role or job level. When you’re self-aware, in control of your emotions, able to relate well to others, and motivated to achieve goals, your high EQ facilitates success in a number of ways, including: Increasing […]
Read More →In your professional and personal life, problems that persist are a valuable source of feedback. Yet, we often ignore the opportunity they present. Instead of looking within for solutions, we tend to look outside of ourselves for someone or something to blame. When you hear yourself thinking or saying, “They started this. It’s […]
Read More →I have a number of coaching clients who have long commutes. They bike, drive, take trains, subways, buses, or some combination thereof. A good number of them use the time to boost their sense of happiness. For example: Some drive in silence and use the quiet time to meditate on the day ahead, […]
Read More →Did you know money buys happiness? Recently, I took my husband and nephew to see Steve Harvey in “Act Like a Success.” From the moment I began thinking about the three of us attending, it became a fun and exciting experience. Once I extended the invitation, together, we imagined what the funny man […]
Read More →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 →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 →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 →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 →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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