My recently retired colleague, Judy Kay Mausolf, used three categories to identify levels of employee engagement and attitude. Identifying which ones you have on your team (and which one you are operating as yourself) can be helpful in determining how you will reach your goals. Imagine your company as a large boat, navigating the ocean of business with all of …
Your Best Investment in 2026
According to Gallup’s research on workplace engagement, there is one statistic that should impact where you invest your training dollars in 2026: Poor managers are responsible for 70% of employees being disengaged in the workplace. That number deserves attention. It means the difference between your most productive employees and your least productive is one thing: their manager—not the mission statement, …
Mining the Gold in Every Complaint
I truly believe I am a naturally positive person, but, even so, as hard as I try, it’s difficult not to complain from time to time about something. I found out just how hard it is a few years ago when I read the book The No-Complaining Rule by Jon Gordon. It was a good, short read about how much …
The Core of Communication
All my clients want one thing: Results. That’s it. They want results. They want a team that performs at a high level. They want to achieve their goals. They want to enjoy their work. They want to build a respected, productive, and profitable business. They want to make a positive impact. At some level, they simply want a result. And …
Setting the Course for 2026
I recently listened to an interview that Oprah did with Nate Berkus, the renowned interior designer, author, and television personality who has just published his latest book, Foundations. In it, he includes four principles of timeless home design. He suggests that when you’re thinking of designing a space, you should consider how you can: Make it personal. Embrace history. Build …
Is Your Workplace Toxic or Cooperative?
The American workplace is deteriorating, and it doesn’t have to be like this. According to a recent poll done by Monster (2025 Mental Health in the Workplace survey) of over 1,100 U.S. workers, employees are increasingly reporting toxic work environments, poor well-being, and little faith that their employers are taking action to help improve the situation. In fact, 80% of …
Who’s Your Ronaldo?
You’ve heard it before. One rotten apple spoils the whole bushel. Intellectually ,we get the wisdom in that idiom. Then, why is it so hard to effectively manage disruptive, disgruntled, or underproducing team members? I believe it boils down to fear or, better said, the lack of courage. I recently coached a leader who was struggling with a tough decision …
Sour Milk and Leadership
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 …
100 Years, One Year at a Time
When I was single and on a girl’s trip to Cape Cod, after a delicious crab boil and a fair amount of white wine, my friends encouraged me to write out a list of the qualities I was looking for in a new relationship. Number one on my list was man with a mountain cabin. Seriously, I tell my husband …
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 …
