My grown son calls and has an issue with his father. One of my coaches tells me they are struggling with one of our clients. An employee of a client team schedules a Zoom session to complain about a co-worker or boss. A colleague casually reports that a mutual friend has hurt their feelings. Do these things happen to you? …
The “NO” Muscle
According to mother, I was not a very cuddly child. She described me as curious, determined, active, and independent from day one. She said she and my father were lucky to get a few minutes of holding me in their laps and only if my attention was captured by the reading of a book I liked or a game I …
Drama-Free Living
One of the things I am most passionate about is the power of operating in work and life “drama-free.” Why? Because I’ve seen the massive positive results that living drama-free can produce with my very own eyes. People who operate drama-free move their personal and professional lives forward in ways that those who live ‘in drama’ can’t even imagine or …
Looking Under the Hood of Shoulds
I’ve been paying closer attention to my health lately. I’m eating more whole foods, especially more leafy greens, berries, and protein, and consuming less alcohol. I’m stretching and walking daily and strength training 3-4 times a week. I’m monitoring and getting better sleep by shutting off electronics and getting to bed earlier. I’m drinking more water and green tea. Besides …
Inspirational Direction
It’s almost that time again and it’s anyone’s guess what kind of shenanigans we’ll see at this year’s Oscar Awards ceremony! Was it only one year ago that Will Smith walked on stage and slapped Chris Rock? Whew… talk about drama. But instead of dwelling on unsavory moments like these, I’d like to shine a spotlight on an Oscar moment …
Invitations vs. Demands
Rachel, a recently promoted department leader, nervously tapped her foot as well as her pencil while she waited for Jake to arrive in her office for their prescheduled growth conference. She had given a lot of thought to the areas where Jake performed well and even more thought to the one in which he doesn’t… handling feedback positively from senior …
Don’t Kill the Butterfly
I once heard a parable about a man who saw a butterfly cocoon hanging from a branch and noticed that the chrysalis inside was struggling to emerge through a tiny hole. As he watched the struggle, the man felt sorry for the small butterfly and so, in a kind effort to help, he cut the hole a bit larger to …
Keeping Our Ego in Check
I received some great advice early in my career as a speaker not to let my ego get ahead of me and make me feel more important than I really am or become overly impressed with myself. The speaking stage can be seductive in many ways. It’s a position of authority and leadership. People applaud you and seek out your …
The Leadership of Moms
Many of us had someone (or if we were extra lucky… many someones) in our life who not only gave us wise counsel but also shared encouragement, ideas, and resources with us so that we might stretch beyond what we thought we were capable of. On the heels of Mother’s Day, I fondly remember my mother in that role. …
Coaching versus Discipline
As business owners and managers, there is no denying we currently find ourselves in a serious employee shortage. For those employees who remain on our team, many are feeling more stressed and stretched than ever. I hear terms such as overworked, unappreciated, and unsupported… especially if the team has one or more open positions or a heavy balance of new …