Spirit of Purpose · A Leadership Style That Reduces Stress When we think workplace strain and fatigue, we tend to think first about workers – those in positions other than management.  But a recent Gallup report indicates managers are experiencing higher levels of stress and burnout than their reports, which impacts their own level of engagement and productivity, as well as their […]

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Spirit of Purpose · Change & Transition On Steriods For individuals and organizations, change and transition have always been a given.  But over the past 16 to 18 months, it feels like shifts in our reality – professionally and personally – have been on steroids.   William Bridges offers useful framing for navigating the complexities of passages.  First, […]

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The ease with which an email can be sent, and the rush to move on to the next task, can be a dangerous combination. The result can be emails that fuel the fire rather than move the process forward. So, if you haven’t read the sender’s entire email and understand the message, pause before you […]

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Have you ever received feedback and wondered, “Where on earth did that come from?” It seems so not like you, hard to believe, downright wrong.  Of course, sometimes, feedback is based on misperception.  And, at other times, it may be a precious gift you don’t want to accept. Feedback that sounds foreign – unlike anything […]

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As a motivational speaker, I’m often asked how one can overcome the obstacles that keep them from becoming the person they want to be.  One path to overcoming obstacles is to understand what motivates and inspires you.  Then, using that self-knowledge, set up the right conditions that will keep you moving toward your goals.   For instance, if […]

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When you’re “Chief” anything — CEO, COO, CPO, CMO, CIO, etc. — people seek you out.  They vie for facetime with you.  But, if through a merger of acquisition your rank shifts downward, or if you’re new to a company, you’ll find you have to seek others out, infiltrate existing groups, break into conversations.  You have to network.   […]

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Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University and Cal State Fullerton say that mindset is a leadership quality that is too often overlook.  Mindset, they say, drives why and what leaders do. They identified a series of mindsets that affect one’s ability to lead.   A growth mindset is the belief that people can learn and grow, while a fixed mindset believes they […]

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Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.”  While her words can be interpreted in a number of ways, here’s one take… If we go through life only tending to that which is handed to us, […]

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Although no one listening is likely to be on the 2024 moon mission, we can all learn a lot from the astronauts NASA has chosen.  In a recent Inc.com article Psychologist James Picano shared the three qualities — besides the technical skills and abilities — that made these women and men ideal for the job.  They […]

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If your meetings are rambling and unfocused, it may be time to learn or relearn what makes a meeting effective and meaningful.  Start by identifying the meeting’s objective.  Are you looking for updates, ideas, or decisions?  Are you communicating changes or educating about plans?   Often times meetings have more than one objective. In that case, clearly identify what […]

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Have you ever asked for feedback? Your request signals a desire to learn about the impact of your actions and make improvements.  While it is absolutely true that you have the right to act on the feedback you receive or ignore it completely, you also should be aware that those who muster up the courage to […]

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Lifelong learning is an important way to stay relevant, marketable and innovative.  Success.com asked members of its Young Entrepreneur Council what they do to engage in lifelong learning outside the traditional classroom setting.  Here’s are answers from three of them. Travel.  There’s no better way to embrace new ideas and educate yourself than by exploring new places, meeting […]

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Strategic thinking is one of the most important skills today.  It comes with its own language that new and aspiring managers might not be accustomed to hearing or using. Here’s a quick primer from executive coach Helen Baxter Southworth. External scan means learning about the competition, it’s key players and the market forces that influence your business.  An internal […]

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Whether you’re focused on how to enhance your self-awareness, solve a problem, take the next step in your ever-evolving quest for personal transformation, professional development, looking for inspiration, or just need to stir your creative juices, you need to get in the flow to generate the right ideas.  Jeffrey Davis says he’s in the business […]

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Sometimes, we spend a great deal of time dwelling on why results fell below expectations.  That’s a good practice if your plan is to use what you learn to do better next time.  Now, here’s my question:  do you invest the same amount of time dwelling on your successes?  There’s also a lot to learn when things go well.   […]

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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 […]

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If you feel pulled in the direction of change, begin your planning and preparation with an honest self-assessment. Check in. See if your mind and emotions are aligned with your decision and plans. If there is a gap between what you think and how you feel, you have work to do. Moving ahead without attending […]

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There comes a moment when you know it’s time to leave the comforts of the familiar and move on. You may be ready to move up to the next level, a lateral into a new functional area to broaden your experience base, a leap into a new industry or company where you can apply your […]

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According to Harvard Business Review contributor Jon Christiansen, there are more job openings than there are unemployed people.  That fact, along with the high cost of losing talent, makes it critical to keep the good performers you have.  Yet, Christiansen says there are several things employers commonly do that make people quit.  Here are two. Inconsistent goals or […]

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Did you know that those great Steve Jobs presentations that launched so many iconic products were rehearsed over and over?  Jobs didn’t just read from a teleprompter; he embodied his message. Follow his example and you’ll make great presentations, effortlessly.  To support you, here are three tips from the Harvard Business Review.   Practice under mild stress. In addition to […]

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