Part 1 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. […]

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My book, LIES That Limit, makes it clear that mindset – what we believe, how we think – is everything. Mindset is the composite of our beliefs and assumptions – our theory about life, other people, even ourselves. We feel safe when we make choices consistent with our story about the way things are. Yet, […]

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Tricks That May Put More Hours Into Your Day Overwhelming to-do lists are pretty common these days. There are lots suggested techniques for getting more done. These three, which I found in a Business.com article by Andrew Reiffenberger, are innovative. Put your cellphone in airplane mode when at your desk. This will reduce distraction from […]

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Successful managers understand that they must adapt their leadership style to the situation at hand. In their book, Primal Leadership, Daniel Goleman, and his coauthors identify six effective and emotionally intelligent ways to lead. The Affiliative & the Democratic Leader The Affiliative Leader puts people first, focuses on harmony and emotional connection, and encourages inclusion. […]

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Summer is the perfect time to add books on leadership to your reading list. Here are some of my favorite books for emerging and existing leaders. Tom Rath and Barry Conchie’s Strengths Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams And Why People Follow builds on their bestseller, “Strengths Finders.” Rooted in extensive research, the book identifies three […]

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3 Tips That Will Make You A Better Communicator For just one day, try this challenge. Listen more and talk less. Listen to understand. Listen to learn. Listen to empathize. Listen to validate. Listen to connect. Don’t worry. You won’t become invisible, powerless or less impactful. In fact, you’ll become more visible. You’ll stand out […]

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Research Shows That These Leadership Skills Work Great leaders create a culture in which success thrives. Inc.com contributor Marcel Schwantes recently shared the results of research that points to six behaviors that keep leaders from failing. Schwantes contends that leaders will not fail if: They display authenticity – they’re transparent, self-aware, open to input from […]

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How To Bond Your Team Through Better Communication Skills The best team members genuinely listen to one-another. Here’s a quick and simple 30-minute team-building exercise from Mindtools.com that will improve this critical interpersonal skill. Divide your team into pairs and sit them across from one another. Give each pair eight index cards with topics written […]

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5 Simple Tips When You’re Starting Out Making a good first impression is important when you start a new job. It sets the stage for how others will interact with you long-term. WorkingMother.com’s Emily Green offers these suggestions for standing out in a good way from the very beginning. Dress to impress. Don’t push the limits […]

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Networking for Newbies or Refresher for Workforce Returnees If you just graduated, or are returning to the job market after an extended leave, networking is likely part of your strategy. But with little or no experience, how can you impress those with whom you’re meeting? Fast Company offers these five tips: Draft a list of […]

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  In a recent HR Magazine Q&A with Edward Hess, co-author of “Humility is the New Smart, Rethinking Human Excellence in the Smart Machine Age,” he says, how well employees learn continuously and relate to others will become the great differentiator. Increasing automation and cheap access to information have made the traditional model of “smart” […]

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The Difference Between Mentors and Sponsors Mentors and sponsors, although different, are closely aligned. A mentor is someone who advises you on job performance and career goals. A sponsor connects you to actual job opportunities. One person can be both mentor and sponsor. Here are 3 important questions to ask yourself if you’re looking to […]

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If you enjoy reading fictional books, you’re getting more out of it than pure pleasure. According to Fast Company, it also helps you improve job performance. Here’s how. It enhances your reasoning skills by cultivating the ability to work beyond logic and explore how fuzzy values play out in social contexts. It helps you understand […]

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Is Your Young Staff Turning Off Your Valued Clients? Recently a client told me that they removed the furniture from their reception area because a group of young external consultants were using it as if they were in their living room. Lounging on the sofas with laptops in hand. Working with their feet on the […]

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Stop Apologizing and You’ll Instantly Boost Your Credibility Do you apologize for everything? For mistakes others make? Or expressing an opinion that seem might be seen as unpopular? For walking into a room? Do you take the blame for things that have nothing to do with you? Or when something is clearly someone else’s fault? […]

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Finding it hard to get the boss to notice and acknowledge your accomplishments? A recent Harvard Business Review article offers suggestions for earning the boss’ respect. Clarify your responsibilities. Ask what you need to learn and how you can learn it quickly. Then, diligently, get up to speed. Adapt your communication style. Find out how […]

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What Are You Good At and With What Do You Need Help? Tom Rath and Barry Conchie, authors of “Strengths-Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow,” argue that the most successful teams possess a wide range of strengths, and allow employees to use what they excel at, rather than dictate how they contribute. Where […]

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How to Lead When You’re Not The Boss (Part 1) Even though you’re not the boss, you might be asked to lead a team of your peers on a project. Forbes contributor Lisa Rabasca Roepe offers tips on taking charge without alienating your co-workers. Start by getting everyone on the same page. Don’t assume that […]

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  Evening Classes Improve Quality of Life Did you know that taking evening classes can improve the quality of your life — regardless of the subject matter? Researchers at Oxford University found that people who took continuing education classes reported improved mental and physical health, as well as more satisfaction with their lives. The participants […]

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