The holidays are upon us! The plurality of that word is important: for some, it means Christmas; for others, Hanukkah. Still others understand it as the time for Kwanzaa, or Ramadan, or Winter Solstice. But whatever the holiday may be, there is a common thread shared by everyone this time of year, and that is...
But Words Can Never Hurt Me. A nursery rhyme from the 1800’s that most of us have heard and possibly even spoken out loud. I was thinking about this because with all the vitriolic in the news this month I recalled this rhyme and thought how it really isn’t true. Words can hurt! Our assessment...
This has been a puzzle to me for many years. People I respect and support hold on to Facts that just aren’t true. But then what about me? I really got a jolt from reading “Factfulness” by Hans Rosling. 10 Reasons We’re Wrong About the World… and Why Things Are Better Than You Think. The...
In 10 years, will you be working for a company that does not exist today? Could that company be focused on segment that is not recognized today? What would make you ready for that leadership challenge? Much of our work is with helping leaders successfully craft a career made of steps or assignment lasting 2-3...
Do you really learn anything when you are talking? When we start working with a client we use a lot of assessments to understand both how someone approaches the work environment and what motivates them to do what they do. It is very common to discover that many people (and executives in particular) are highly...
These words are the essence of a culture. I was inspired by a short video by Seth Godin. He pointed out the uniqueness of political advertising because a politician must win the majority of voters to be elected. All this cortisol creating advertising that drives us crazy is based on a 1961 discovery that the...
Communication is at the top of the list of things humans spend a majority of their time engaged in, but it also tends to be one of our greatest weaknesses as well. A new book called Shut Up and Say Something by Karen Friedman delves into the most common mistakes people make when communicating...
Theater Games are a process applicable to any field, discipline, or subject matter which creates a place where full participation, communication, and transformation can take place." --- Viola Spolin As I finished reading Tina Fey's book Bossypants, I came to a realization. We often don't give comedians enough credit for their business smarts, and Tina...
When you consistently deliver value to your company, it's reasonable to feel that you deserve a raise. Not everyone delivers value on a regular basis, and you are an asset to a company when you strive to be your best at all times. When you've finally made the decision to request a raise, an effective...
How well do you listen? Do you give people your full attention when they speak, or are you preparing a strategy and waiting for your turn to talk again? Active listening involves hearing a person's words, understanding their message and its importance to them, and communicating that understanding back to the person. But how often do...
