Most employees are already Unhappy, so it doesn’t take much effort to nudge them into Insecurity, as well. Here’s a quick reminder of how easy it is to keep your ungrateful subordinates in their place: under your control.** Keep Them Guessing. Tell them nothing that’s not essential to their tiny little jobs. First, it’s none of their … Read more

If you are in a management role, it’s highly likely that you are one of the smartest people in your organization. But smart does not always transfer to “successful.” 67% of the long-term success of a leader is predicted by Emotional Intelligence, or your ability to notice and manage your own emotions, read others’ emotions, and … Read more

You would probably not expect to place well in a swimming event if you only got into the pool once in six months. And if you need to generate custom reports from that new software, you’ll probably seek training and experience to increase your comfort with the programming parameters. When you engage in anything on a frequent basis, … Read more

How much of your stress comes from trying to juggle too many roles, goals, and projects simultaneously? If you’re like many people, you expect a lot – of self and others – on the job. While you may have a dozen or more items on your project list, remember that the maximum most people can juggle … Read more

People don’t like to be uncomfortable. I cannot recall the last time I had a conversation with a leader where the subject of “difficult conversations” about performance did not come up as one of their most feared situations. Second to that is concern about telling people that “change is coming.” Meanwhile, we face the reality that … Read more

Have you ever watched an auto race? Cars chase around the track at high speeds and occasionally pull into the Pit. The car gets jacked up and instantly the Pit Crew swarm the car like ants on a sugar cookie. For a few minutes there is a whirlwind of non-stop activity as drills spin, bolts fly, … Read more

My executive clients often tell me they have great difficulty with strategy time. The issue usually presents itself like this: “I can’t find the time to think when I’m constantly being interrupted.” OK, why are you constantly being interrupted? “We have an Open Door Policy, and people stop by constantly to talk with me.” What does … Read more

“Our ability to grow is directly proportional to our ability to entertain the uncomfortable.” ~Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit: Learn it and Use it for Life A recent email exchange within one of my coaching groups addressed our discomfort with being stretched outside our comfort zone. I share this story with (the author) Carole’s permission: “A few … Read more

New habits can be tough to introduce to the workplace. People like predictability. When you show up differently – even if the change is for the better – it is still different, and you may feel pressure from others to go back to how you were “before.” Still, change starts with you. Choose a specific situation, conversation, … Read more

Events are just events. Stuff happens. That’s it. THEN we create a story to explain that event. We interpret what happened and make up reasons why it happened, and our “story” evokes an emotional response from us. Suddenly an event is labeled good, bad, ugly, and we feel sadness, optimism, fear, anger, appreciation, frustration, concern… … Read more