Every week, the content of my blog is based on a real-life scenarios – ones I’ve experienced as a facilitator, executive and personal growth coach, keynote speaker, as well as a manager and leader. Unresolved challenges at work and in life often get in the way of productivity and personal satisfaction. They cause us to question ourselves and the value of contributions we make. Issues at work also […]
Read More →The relaxed pace of summer is, essentially, behind us. Fall is nearly here. Hard to believe, but true. It’s time to refocus on “work” – whatever your age and stage in life. For the kids, its back to school. If you’re in the responsible adult category, you may feel called to re-engage with the particular […]
Read More →Recently I heard a quote that got right to the heart of conflict and how to resolve it. I’m paraphrasing, but it was along the lines of “conflict does not rise out of a clash of good and bad, it arises out of a clash of good and good.” In other words, each conflicting party […]
Read More →One of my favorite comic strips is set in a bookstore. In one corner of the store, there is a section with a sign that reads, “Self Help. ” Right next to it, there’s a sign for the “Fixing Others” section. The “Self-Help” section has one person in it while the “Fixing Others” section is […]
Read More →A coaching client, whose husband was teaching their son how to drive, told me a story that reinforces an important fact. She said, one day, as her husband, once again, admonished their son for not using his right turn signal, their son pulled over, stopped the car, looked his dad in the eyes and said, […]
Read More →For many, being assertive is difficult and the reasons are varied. Maybe you don’t want to hurt feelings or come off as cocky and aggressive. Or it could be that you don’t have confidence in your own opinion and fear that others will prove you wrong if you speak up. Assertiveness is about confidence. It’s […]
Read More →Do you ever feel like you just want to whine and complain about your job, your boss, your company, your partner, your life? We all do. It’s normal, but there might be good buried beneath the bad feelings on the surface. While we call these feelings negative, they actually hold positive potential. Don’t ignore them. […]
Read More →When things go wrong, and occasionally they do, rather than focusing on identifying who made the mistake, focus on the situation and the solution. Put your energy and attention into what happened, how best to fix it, what process improvements need to be implemented, what training and checks and balances are needed to insure that […]
Read More →To get clear about the best way to effectively address a specific performance or behavior problem, the first step is asking yourself which course of action the problem calls for? Is feedback sufficient? You simply describe the person’s behavior and its impact. Is coaching more appropriate? You work to strengthen performance through teaching, training and […]
Read More →To get clear about the best way to effectively address a specific performance or behavior problem, the first step is asking yourself which course of action the problem calls for? Is feedback sufficient? You simply describe the person’s behavior and its impact. Is coaching more appropriate? You work to strengthen performance through teaching, training and […]
Read More →Are you more tenured with many more years of experience than the person to whom you report? Is your manager the same age or younger than your children? These days, it’s not all that unusual for older people to report to those who are much younger. According to a 2012 CareerBuilder survey, “One third (34 […]
Read More →While interviewing a group of people for a client’s 360 Feedback process, one of the raters told me she has a rule with her team. They have to make at least one mistake a week and tell her about it. She is also bound by the same rule. She has to make at least one […]
Read More →While interviewing a group of people for a client’s 360 Feedback process, one of the raters told me she has a rule with her team. They have to make at least one mistake a week and tell her about it. She is also bound by the same rule. She has to make at least one […]
Read More →Do you have a BIG idea – one that will transform your career, your company’s business model, streamline processes, save significant time and money, land you a brand new role or help you branch off and build your own successful enterprise? Have you put a plan of action in place or are you stalling, plagued […]
Read More →Do you have a BIG idea – one that will transform your career, your company’s business model, streamline processes, save significant time and money, land you a brand new role or help you branch off and build your own successful enterprise? Have you put a plan of action in place or are you stalling, plagued […]
Read More →What could you do with two to two-and-a-half hours each day? Probably, a lot. That’s how much time the average person loses to interruptions and distractions. If you get distracted easily, things like unplanned telephone calls, responding to the ding of emails, answering text messages, drop-by-visitors, hallway interactions, emergencies and crises can quickly derail your […]
Read More →Millennials, those 18 to 35 year old workers, look for purpose and a sense of meaning in their work and lives. Here is one simple suggestion for helping this growing and important segment of your workforce feel more engaged and valued: Talk with them about the company’s vision, strategy and goals. Point how what they […]
Read More →The 18- to 35-year-old workers in your organization are the millennials. They are a breed unto themselves, just as preceding generations have been. Here are a few interesting facts about millennials – offered not to stereotype, but with the intention of acknowledging prevalent patterns among the group: They’re the most culturally diverse and well-educated generation […]
Read More →Carol was recruited to create change. Her expertise was just what the company needed…or so they said. One day, after yet another barrage from her team of, “That won’t work here.” “We tried that before.” “The company will never go for that.” Uncontrollably, she blurted out, “I don’t buy that! It is doable. We can […]
Read More →Begin your next meeting with an activity that jumpstarts the conversation. Here’s how: After discussing the meeting’s purpose, objectives and agenda, present one or more of the following statements and ask attendees to respond: 1. “To support the success of our meeting, I will…” 2. “It would facilitate our work if the team…” 3. “To make […]
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