If we’re honest, most of us hate conflict. We either gear up for an uncomfortable fight, or we avoid it altogether. I think conflict gets a bad rap. I believe conflict feels uncomfortable to us because we’ve blindly adopted an old definition of it from parents, co-workers, friends, and society in general. We look at it through the frame we’ve …
Focus
I have decided that I am a big fan of focus, not because I’m always good at it but because I’m not. I have a lot of interests, a busy life, and, like all of us, I live in a fast-paced world. It’s easy to decide that constant distractions and operating in a consistently fragmented way and juggling multiple demands …
The Stretch Zone
LionSpeak is a communication coaching company specializing in coaching individuals, leaders, and teams, who wish to communicate with more clarity and inspiration to achieve remarkable results. In other words, we help people communicate better in a variety of circumstances. For example: An administrator wanting to convert more callers to appointments. A leader wishing to inspire their team to massive action. …
Partnering for Change
As a coach, one of my favorite questions in leadership, conflict, or offering help and guidance is, “Do you want to feel better (or have a different result)?” If the answer is no, then we’re likely done with our work together for the moment, and at least we don’t have to waste time struggling or pretending. I’ve learned not to …
A Call for Love
I recently heard someone say that how people act demonstrates whether they are receiving love or putting out a call for love. When I consider this in terms of behavior and communication, I think it just might be spot on. Think about the last time you experienced someone “acting out”— a teenager, a spouse, an audience member, a team member, …
From the Top
“My job is to report it, not to fix it. That’s my manager’s job. That’s why she gets paid the big bucks!” This was the reply I received when I asked a client’s team member if she would be open to some coaching about how to solve a conflict with one of her co-workers. Simultaneously, her manager had complained to …
Words That Matter
Whether in a one-to-one conversation, video, email, text, social media post, or group presentation, what we say matters. Everything from body language and non-verbal communication to our word choice creates an image and perception in the minds of our intended listeners. As leaders, we want our message to land with strength, clarity, and persuasion. I’ve written several Stretches over the …
You’re Not in Charge
Owners, managers, team leads… what if you didn’t consider yourself “in charge” but rather tasked with caring for those who are “in your charge”? I believe our most important goal as leaders is to develop new superstars. Some people come to us primed and ready to do just that. They’re the easy ones. But others come to us unaware of …
Celebrating Partnerships
Eleven years ago, I interviewed a young, bright virtual assistant in Ohio who possessed all the technical skills I needed to support my growing speaking and coaching business. She was professional and timely. She had experience in helping to make busy professionals’ lives easier by handling all the little details behind the scenes like travel arrangements, client scheduling, shipping, bookkeeping, …
Oh, hey… Remember Me?
My son, Austin, is doing well after a decade of struggles. During those hard years, he would go “dark,” meaning I would not hear from him for weeks on end— a mother’s nightmare. Thankfully, as he has healed and found success in life, that has gotten a lot better. And yet, no matter how often he picks up the phone …
