I know. It’s completely unladylike to drink milk straight from the container. However, occasionally when I’ve needed an ibuprofen for a headache to get to sleep and to put a little something in my stomach, I’ve reached straight for the container so I don’t need to turn lights on or make much noise. The last time I succumbed to this …
Ditch the “Sandwich”!
My first experience leading a team was at my only job outside of the dental and healthcare industries. In the mid-1980s, I took the role as the marketing manager for Callaway Winery in Temecula, CA. I had a small team of 5 people, and we were tasked with retail marketing in grocery stores and wine shops, restaurant marketing, label design …
Four Reasons Team Retreats Should Be a Priority for Your Business
There are so many important (even pressing) decisions for a business owner or manager to consider in order to build their business, accomplish their goals, and manage their growth responsibly. One of the most important considerations is the state of their team. Is the team aligned with what we’re building? Are they clear on their priorities? Are they as skilled …
1000 Opportunities for Joy
I receive a monthly newsletter from Training Wheels, an online training supply and experience company from whom I’ve purchased tons of training tools and gained loads of ideas for effective training exercises, and I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the brilliant founder, Michelle Cummings. Her newsletters always hold insights and reminders for great trainers, coaches, and leaders, but …
Endorsing Excellence
What we don’t address, we endorse. Many leaders have lately commented to me that they are afraid to have a “courageous conversation” with someone on their team because they fear that if the conversation does not go well, they may lose the person and not be able to replace them for many months. Some feel their businesses could not afford …
The Clarity Challenge
I’ve been doing an official experiment over the past year with client teams. I ask a simple question, one for which everyone thinks there is a clear, simple, and straightforward answer, one which it would only make sense that every employee could answer quickly and definitively. The question: What time is on time? In other words, what is the exact …
The Secret Weapon
Over the holidays, I was introduced to an Asian comedian, Ken Jeong Tran, being interviewed on a talk show about her recent and highly successful comedy tour. During the interview, the host showed several clips of her hilarious performances at live events in Las Vegas, New York, and Los Angeles, but he also showed a clip of her failing in …
The Q-1 Reset
January 1st is just another ordinary day, like any other of the 365 days of the year. There is absolutely nothing concrete that gives it any more meaning than any other day. And yet, somehow, it is different. It wields a powerful energy across the western world of rebirth, renewal, and re-commitment. I know it’s essentially arbitrary, something that our …
Do Their Opinions Matter?
“I really don’t care if they disagree with this new policy. This is my company, and I’m in charge of making sure we are profitable, secure, and growing. It’s my responsibility to make these decisions, and this is what I need them to do.” This is true. The owner and C-Suite execs are in charge of making sure the company …
Help Them Connect the Dots
They say there are two ways to motivate people: away from fear or toward desire. Fear could include losing a job, being embarrassed at the team meeting, or being passed over for a promotion. Desire could include getting a bonus or some other desirable incentive, receiving recognition, or earning a promotion. Many of us hope to lead by creating desire …
