Raise your hand if you love conflict or confrontation? I frequently ask that question in groups I speak to and teams I coach, and usually one or two people will raise their hand. These are typically people who love a challenge or, in some cases, love “the fight” as they see it. Nothing wrong with it, just not how most …
So That
Sometimes, people will do things because they have to even if they don’t really want to, often to avoid a negative outcome. Teenagers will put their seat belts on, not because they want to or because they feel it will keep them safe but so they won’t get a ticket. A team member adds one more thing to their daily …
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 …
Legacy
Today would have been my mother’s 85th birthday. Sadly, she died unexpectedly 10 years ago. Her birthday always brings back a flood of memories which seem to accentuate how much I miss her. My mother left me with many lessons and moments of wisdom, but, as I celebrate her life and her impact on mine this week, a very specific …
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 …
If / Then
Please tell me I’m not the only one. I decide on a goal. I’m on fire for a week or two, and then I slack off or get totally off-track. I know exactly what the behavior is that is sabotaging my intentions. I know the problem, and it’s usually me. Now I’m frustrated and feel worse and worse about myself …
Keeping It Fresh
I don’t watch a lot of television, but one show used to love was Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood. Tom and I would record it and watch it together as we ate our Sunday morning breakfast. Once, Osgood did a segment on the origins and traditions of Christmas caroling. In it, one gentlemen who led a group in Seattle called …
Be Like Ron
The countdown has begun. Three days to lift off! For many of us, it could be the lift off of big emotions, big drama, and big triggers that holiday events with family and friends can bring. I mean, we all know that person—the one we know will likely bring the match to the fire. But this year, what if we …
The Presentation of Time
Sorry to sound the alarm, but Christmas is only 10 days away! How is it even possible that we are already at Christmas? It seriously feels like we were just celebrating July 4th… like last week. When I think about how fast time is passing in my life, I can easily fall into a mild sense of panic that I …
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 …
