I fear that one of the biggest obstacles to solving our world’s many problems is that we’ve become a society where, if you don’t have THE answer — and the CORRECT answer — on the first pass, you are labeled ineffective. You are a failure if you don’t have the answer. I got to thinking … Read more
“…there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” Hamlet, Act II Scene 2 This quote from Shakespeare is one of my all-time favorites… and defines a foundational element of my coaching practice and life philosophy. Events are just events. Stuff happens. That’s it. THEN…we create a story to explain that event. … Read more
As more and more companies must make the difficult decision to reduce staff and send people packing, I’ve had many leaders come to me and ask for advice on what to tell people when they ask questions. When people suspect a lay off is pending, they shift into constant anxiety. Yet too many top leaders, … Read more
I could not resist pulling this two-minute video onto my blog. It resonated with me because, of all the leadership challenges that come up in coaching and training conversations, this is the most common area of concern (I can’t tell you more without giving away the twist). This is part of a new series of … Read more
“What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?” A TV interviewer asked this of her guest recently, and that question got me thinking about how I’d respond. My mother always used to say, “if you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” It took me a couple … Read more
Are you familiar with the concept, from improv theater, of “yes, and…”? It’s a skill that is useful in leadership and in life. It helps if you’re on stage giving a presentation to 100 people, and it helps when you are in conversation with one person. I teach this concept in my communication training and … Read more
This is a busy season for Performance Appraisal (PA) discussions, and this topic’s come up with several clients recently. Anxiety seems to be the most common emotion associated with PAs, both on the part of the receiver and the writer/manager. A little anxiety running up to the conversation can be helpful — it will keep … Read more
I recently read of a poll which asked, “do you believe that Americans today still respond to the call John F Kennedy made in his 1961 inaugural speech, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country’?” 23% said Yes, 70% said no. Hmm. In a few … Read more
I came across this quote today: “All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it … Read more