A Story About Leadership I’m currently working with three clients who, in different ways and for different reasons, are working to improve their organization’s Performance Management systems. The three cultures differ dramatically, as do the issues that need addressing. Yet a common issue has emerged at all three: we need to do a better job of setting … Read more
Story: I’m sitting in a coffee shop, writing. Background music creates a white noise, masking multiple streams of conversation I only half-notice from within my envelope of concentration. Whenever a new customer walks in, the bright-eyed, caffeinated barista asks, “How are you this morning?” Most respond with a simple “fine,” or “okay.” Some brave a … Read more
The story you tell yourself about WHO you are has a huge impact on your leadership style. For example, if you declare yourself to be Efficient, your personal filters may zero in on deadlines and use of resources. Decisive may show up as moving fast and being in control. The more your work outcomes depend … Read more
In January many people create new goals for their work and life, most of which focus on achieving a metric, e.g. starting or stopping, completing or letting go, or making progress in a specific direction. They are about DOING (Or NOT Doing) Something. There is a place for DOING goals. Life is filled with projects … Read more
Leadership is Personal I had a stimulating conversation with an amazing person the other day. She is the president of a company striving to build a better world, and many of her observations and questions revolved the topics of social impact, making a difference, and the power of Leadership. We really connected around a descriptor she used … Read more
A typical salaried professional has between 80-100 hours of backlog on their desk at any time. There will ALWAYS be something to do, and you may NEVER feel “done.” If you take that too personally you can feel stressed 100% of the time. It’s all about the story you tell yourself. In the workplace, it’s … Read more
Today is the day. No movie in filmmaking history has pre-sold as many tickets as have been purchased already for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Millions of people committed to experience a movie about which they know practically nothing: the plot is a mystery, most of the actors are unknowns, and it all … Read more
I get this question often: What is Coaching? Over my years in the profession the answer has gotten easier, as more people understand coaching as a service provided by trained professionals.There are 50,ooo+ coaches in the world and that number is growing fast; yet the definition of coaching is becoming better defined every day, as … Read more
In this podcast from station WJCU in Cleveland (John Carroll University is my alma mater!), host DB Hegler leads a conversation on dealing with “problem employees.” The first part of the podcast is an interview with a Cleveland-based employment attorney who focuses on the legal dimensions of addressing or even preventing workplace issues. In the … Read more
Citius, Altius, Fortius – et cum Magister! ** You probably watched at least a few minutes of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, even if just highlights. Olympians are the best of the best — the Swiftest, Highest, and Strongest, as the Olympic motto reminds us… AND did you notice that every one of them has … Read more