Stretch goals – goals that seem impossible given current reality – have advantages. They encourage creative thinking and exploratory learning, according to Mindtools.com.  And, they can have a downside, too. If the goal is truly impossible, it can demotivate and overwhelm team members. Increase stress levels and absenteeism. Result excessive risk-taking, causing mistakes that take […]

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Get Ready for 2017 By Celebrating 2016 Accomplishments As 2016 winds down and before you start making resolutions, take the opportunity to remember the things you accomplished this year. Start by rifling through your old to-do lists and noticing the boxes you checked off or the tasks you crossed off your list. Revisit your calendar. Find […]

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What Today’s Hiring Managers Are Looking For Philadelphia Business Journal contributor Gina Hall writes that today’s hiring managers are less interested in years of experience and hard work, than they are in natural talent. She cited a study where 60 percent of the participants chose the naturally talented person over the “striver” – even though […]

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> 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 […]

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Being A Game Changer Starts Within Do you fantasize about being a game changer? About being on the big stage enlightening the world, or creating something that reshapes how people live? But, it seems the more you invest in finding what will catapult you into fame, the further out of reach it seems to become. […]

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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 […]

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Why Executive or Leadership Presence Is Important I’m often asked to speak on the topic of Executive Presence. It is something that may seem superficial to some, but for existing and rising leaders, being able to command respect is part of the success equation. Here’s why executive presence is so important. We make split-second judgments […]

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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 […]

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Keen observers of self and others have a competitive edge. But, too often, our willingness to pay attention is dialed down too low. Much that we should see, and could capitalize on, passes us by. We’re blinded by the habit of inattention. We’re no longer fully present, noticing what’s going on within us and around […]

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If you’re looking for ways to be more productive, here are several tips from a Fast Company article titled, “The Art of Doing Everything.” Don’t waste time on unnecessary decisions, like what to eat for breakfast or lunch.  Eat the same thing everyday.  Also, for men and women, consider simplifying your work wardrobe.  For example, […]

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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 […]

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Is there someone in your workplace who you feel is exactly your opposite?  Perhaps, a bit of a thorn in your side?  You don’t understand her thought process or agree with how he operates.  He’s annoying.  She’s difficult to deal with. News flash:  this person may be just the thorn in your side you need.  […]

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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 […]

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When New York Times Editor Jill Abramson was fired, she was in the process of working with a career consultant who was helping her address some of the “management style” problems that reportedly did her in. Understanding how you’re perceived by others at work is invaluable knowledge that can be put to use to enhance your […]

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Remember when your mother told you to sit up straight?  She knew what she was talking about.  Research has validated her good advice. Adoree Durayappah’s article in Psychology Today points out that when a person adopts the upright posture Mom always encouraged, they act in ways that represent power.  And interestingly, as the article points […]

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Do you apologize for everything?  For mistakes others make?  For expressing an opinion that might be 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? If you over-apologize, you’re not alone.  For women, it’s very common […]

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Do you ever feel like you’re not really competent, but everyone else is?  Do you sometimes feel like you’re acting as if you belong, but you don’t.  Figure that it won’t be long until you’re found out?  When others praise your work or compliment you, do you doubt their sincerity or feel like the recognition […]

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Do you have the same mindset as Earvin “Magic” Johnson?  He says, “I am a businessman. This is what I do each and every day. I love it. I love coming to work. I never have a bad day.” Do you feel the same way?  Do you love your work?  Daily, do you get up […]

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Dear Teressa, My boss is an excellent manager and a very inspirational leader.  However, I have a colleague, who I think is a good person, but who seems to very much resent this boss. This colleague is also very good friends with my boss’s boss. The colleague is now making life very difficult and taking […]

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