Heart of Business: Recent Episodes
Teressa Moore Griffin
Are you fatigued, overwhelmed, burned out? Packing every available work-from-home minute with meetings and tasks? Feeling like you need a break? You’re not alone.
Much of the COVID spurred "Great Resignation" and hiring drought has to do with how managers treat employees. The time to address any of your company's related issues is now. Here's how.
When we think workplace strain and fatigue, we tend to think first about workers – those in positions other than management. Gallup suggests that stress-relief can come from following guidance from this type of manager.
Do you have employees who leave vacation on the table, or work through it. According to Korn Ferry, get ready for that to change.
Over the past 16 to 18 months, it feels like shifts in our reality — professionally and personally — have been on steroids. Try these useful ways to manage through accelerated change.
According to Gallup’s World Poll, during 2020, across the globe, employees experienced increased worry, sadness, and anger, with US and Canadian workers reporting the highest rates of daily stress.
Leaders, it’s time to stop and take stock and consider the needs of the business and engage employees around how they’re experiencing their workload.
Gallup research indicates that North America leads the world in employee engagement, and they say these three conditions are what drive it.
Trusting those we rely on is essential. Yet building trust in the workplace can be a challenge – a challenge that’s amplified when people are separated by time and space.
Are your leaders and others in your company creating a safe and supportive workplace for employees who identify as LGBTQ?
COVID-19 sped up our need to adapt to new technology across all levels of the workforce. Are you and all your employees ready?
The Gallup organization says to create and sustain progress in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion space, leaders need a solid strategy that includes an aspirational vision, and the right metrics and processes.
To make meaningful progress, change must occur at two levels – the individual and the system.
Brand new research released by Seramount, provides a perspective on what corporate American has done to address racism, since the murder of George Floyd.
No matter who you are, or what your rank, you can be an agent for change by bringing people together to chart an equitable future.
If you’re stressing over returning to the physical work environment, here are a few ways you can ease yourself back in.
Leaders today face significant uncertainty. Change and complexity are a steady presence. Harvard Business Review suggests these six strategies to accelerate learning and navigate increasing complexity.
Could you be you overestimating how clearly conveyed your messages of appreciation are? Do you say thank you often enough?
In the face of unprecedented change, uncertainty, anxiety, and loss we surmounted challenges and found ways to survive and remain sane. What inspired us to keep going, to stay engaged?
The need for speed will likely stretch production capacity and could strain the workforce. Employee health, safety, emotional wellbeing and the potential for burnout, may require special consideration.
In the workplace, and all of life, the size and complexity of challenges are not factors that determine whether we flounder or thrive.
When will the US achieve gender parity? The World Economic Forum asked that question. The answer shocked me.
Korn Ferry reports hate crimes against Asians in the US increased by a stunning 150% in 2020. Generally, our workplaces are a microcosm of society. As such, this raises questions.
For decades, discussion of flexible work arrangements centered around hours and, perhaps, an occasional day working from home. But post-COVID, could some of that remain in place?
Diversity, equity and inclusion is not about “check the box” activities or talk of quotas. It is also not the exclusive work of HR or diversity officer.
A recent Korn Ferry article discusses the notion that remote work arrangements may make working longer more attractive to some older workers.
No DEI effort will be successful if you're not addressing this very real impediment to achieving equality.
Repeatedly mispronouncing someone's name is a micro-insult that may hurt more deeply than you think.
If you don’t know how the women in your organization are holding up, and you care, it’s time to ask.
When it comes to use of physical space, what dynamics do you see between cultural groups, inclusive of race, social class, ethnicity, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender, and even other aspects of diversity?
McKinsey reports between May 25th and the end of October, 32% of Fortune 1000 companies made public statements supporting racial justice. Is your company doing what it takes to generate real change?
Is your pace of progress sufficient to position your company for strong post-COVID recovery and long-term viability?
Today, many of us spend our workdays online, in one-on-one and group meetings. Here are some tips to help you make your presence known and have a positive impact, especially during large group meetings.
Whether you’re a frontline essential worker, homemaker, striving young professional, or seasoned executive, if you’re a parent with younger children, your life has changed dramatically during the pandemic. Here are a few coping strategies to help you manage.
According to Gallup, there’s a strong relationship between employee engagement and employee wellbeing – two drivers of performance, productivity and retention. Each – engagement and wellbeing – has a reciprocal and additive impact on the future state of the other.
Today, in our new paradigm, we work and engage from our diverse home environments where we also manage children, attend to elders, deal with sickness, death, loss, stopped up toilets and untold fears and worries.
Do the demographics of your company reflect those of your customer base? If your company is like most, the answer is, “No.’
Recent McKinsey research says the link between diversity on executive teams and financial outperformance is indisputably evident. Here's why you need to step up your DEI efforts.
Self-care is a necessity if you intend to be primed to bring your best to what you do every day. Here's an easy way to reset and refresh whenever needed.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’ Five Stages of Grief provides a helpful framework for understanding our COVID-19-induced emotional roller-coaster. Here's how it might be playing out for you.
A McKinsey survey says across demographic groups and geographies, workers are struggling with mental health issues, work–life balance, concerns about workplace health and safety, an absence of connection and belonging, and worries about job security and career progression.
To wake up your awareness of the disparate impact of certain behaviors on people of color and white women, take a more objective look at the dynamics that occur during meetings, in public spaces, even in personal relationships. Here's how.
In his book, "Microaggressions in Everyday Life," Derald Wing Sue teaches us about our impact, whether intended or not, through three types of microaggressions. Micro-insults. Micro-assaults. Micro-invalidations. Here's what they each mean.
Have you ever shared how you’re feeling about a situation and the person with whom you’re speaking responds with, “Yeah, but…”?
Through forced isolation, we live and work in our own bubbles. Today, I’m inviting you to reach out of your bubble and respectfully pierce the bubble that surrounds colleagues, especially those with whom you’ve had limited contact.
In any context in which we find ourselves, bias and prejudice are harmful. Often, we aren’t even conscious of the message that undergirds our statement, question, or nonverbal behavior.
I recently went to the hardware store in which another shopper – a white man – was searching through a neighboring rack. My internal, stereotypes reflexively kicked in. I thought, “He seems unfriendly, maybe even foe.” But then...
Leaders have the power to make significant, measurable strides towards a more just and fair world through moment-to-moment decisions and actions. Here’s a perspective to consider.
If you went to an office or another workplace every day, one of the things you may have taken for granted is the opportunity to switch gears.
You may have noticed a proliferation of group sing-alongs and online concerts by people who are under strict stay at home orders all over the world. There's a very good reason why.
Many people are dealing with guilt associated with their Coronavirus activities or lack thereof. Here are four healthy ways to manage it.
It goes without saying that managing remotely differs from managing in-person. Harvard Business Review contributor Sabina Nawaz offers 6 great suggestions on how to adjust.
When crises like the Coronavirus impact the business world, it’s important to have a good structure for decision-making. McKinsey & Company offers 6 tips to ensure your decision-making remains solid when battling the unprecedented and unbelievable.
Here are four quick tips from Harvard Business Review that can help you adapt to the unusual work conditions sparked by the Coronavirus.
As so many get used to working from home, new feelings may arise about co-workers. Not only has our physical space changed, so has our intimate knowledge of each other’s lives.
I hear from leaders I coach that they’re concerned about how their employees are doing, but they’re afraid to intrude and overstep their boundaries. Here's why it's more important for managers to reach out.
Do you have a dream that you’ve just been too busy to think through and plan out? Well, if you’re like a lot of people, you’re in a period of forced isolation that’s given you the gift of extra time. Here's how to use it wisely.
As we move deeper into Coronavirus-induced isolation, anxiety and fear may threaten the sense of stability and mental health for many of us. Now is a good time to embrace meditation.
At times like these, fear of getting sick, of losing a job or a business can be overwhelming. Meditation and mindfulness are among the healthiest ways to manage this natural response to threat.
There is a big difference between an organization's cognitive cultural and its emotional culture. Here's why this matters.
Executives often push their own personal growth needs aside even though that’s the very thing that will lead to success. Here's why that needs to change.
Executive coaching is for leaders who want to go beyond improving industry-specific skills. Here are 5 things that coaches address.
We’ve come to believe that we’re only productive if our minds are actively occupied. But TED Radio Hour host Manoush Zomorodi says boredom stimulates our minds in a very important way.
Gallup says working remotely is already the standard for 50% of the US workforce. Will that increase after the COVID-19 crisis passes?
Leaders who are managing part or all of their teams remotely may be doing so for the first time. Gallup suggests keeping these four things in mind as you chart these untested waters.
In a recent NY Times article, Simran Sethi spoke to a therapist, a scholar, a monk and a CEO about what it means to be good. Here are a few of their answers.
Research at Penn State found that the character judgements recruiters make about what they see on a candidate's social media might surprise you.
A recent study at Australia’s RMIT University revealed that long-term job insecurity can make people less emotionally stable, less agreeable and less conscientious.
Not all organizations have workforces that can work remotely, but if you do, here are two suggestions from Harvard Business Review on where to start when creating a plan.
Harvard Business Review offers tips on how to plan for the possibility of large-scale remote operations. Here are two.
Harvard Business Review says there may be a silver lining in the way companies are dealing with Coronavirus.
The author of “Busy: How to Thrive In A World of Too Much” reminds us why down time is so important for optimal brain function.
Here are 5 easy things from Oprah.com that you can do to keep your mind sharp and live a productive and healthy life.
When you’re “Chief” anything, people seek you out. But, if through a merger or acquisition your rank shifts downward, or if you’re new to a company, you’ll need to learn or relearn how to seek others out.
Researchers say mindset is a leadership quality that is too often overlook, yet it drives why and what leaders do.
A sleepless night can trigger up to a thirty percent rise in anxiety levels. But researchers have identified the type of sleep that calms you and resets your brain.
According to the Society of Human Resource Management, a growing number of employers are looking for ways to address sleep apnea and insomnia among their employees.
According to Gallup, companies that allow employees to work remotely not only increase engagement and retention, they also reduce their carbon footprint. Here's how.
Gallup's data shows there are many benefits to employers that accommodate this preference among the emerging workforce.
In a recent Inc.com article Psychologist James Picano shared what the latest class of NASA astronauts can teach us about being good team players.
If your meetings are rambling and unfocused, it may be time to learn or relearn what makes a meeting effective and meaningful.
Diana Ross once said, “Instead of looking at the past, I put myself ahead twenty years and try to look at what I need to do now in order to get there then.” Here's why this is great advice if you're looking for perspective, ways to set goals and make choices.
High functioning organizations with cross-silo cultures are better innovators, problem solvers and collaborators. Here are 3 ways to become a more blended organization.
Success.com asked members of its Young Entrepreneur Council what they do to engage in lifelong learning outside the traditional classroom setting. Here’s are answers from three of them.
Companies benefit when employees have a cross-functional view of their business. Here are three tips from Microsoft Workplace Insights to help break down an organization's silos.
Are you missing the mark with regards to your expectations of your career progression or rewards you deserve?
Here are two things that stood out when 2019 Gallup Manager of the Year Finalists were asked how they lead, navigate change and develop successful teams.
Do you feel guilty about seemingly never being able to catch up? When you’re home at night or away from your desk, are you plagued by negative thoughts about what you’re not getting done?
The Dalai Lama says leaders can contribute to a happier world and workplace. Here are 3 things leaders can do to cut down on stress and anxiety, as well as build cultures of cooperation.
Buddhist tradition describes three styles of compassionate leadership. In a recent Harvard Business Review article, the Dalai Lama described how these styles operate.
For the past 81 years Harvard has been conducting "The Study of Adult Development” to answer one question. What keeps us happiest as we go through life?
Strategic thinking comes with its own language that new and aspiring managers might not be accustomed to hearing or using. Here’s a quick primer.
New York Times columnists Tim Herrera reached out to experts for ways to treat yourself with kindness. Here are 4 of them.
Oprah.com contributor Ariane de Bonvoisin offers these five thought-provoking questions to kick off the new year.
If you've made no progress toward the change you believe you want, the most important question to ask yourself is "are you really committed?"
Like muscles, problem solving skills grow stronger the more you exercise them. Here are 4 ways Success.com's Entrepreneurs Council improve their ability to solve problems.
Success.com consulted members of the Young Entrepreneurs Council to see how they hone their problem-solving skills. Here are three of their suggestions.
When employee make critical errors, rather than focusing on identifying who made the mistake, focus on the situation and the solution. Here's how.
Gallup recommends using a coaching style that creates engagement. To accomplish that, try asking process-oriented questions. Here's how.
Gallup says there are four behavior patterns that are distinct to employees who are engaged.
To wrap up the year, I’d like to share a list of the three most popular videos on my YouTube channel and what I believe they say about where our collective heads are right now.
Steven Cohen, author of “Leading from Within,” says regular meditation maximizes leadership performance by strengthening your capacity in these four areas of leadership.
Tis the season when we spend more time with the people we consider priorities and engage in activities we enjoy. How about making time for more of that?
Leader who feel alone and isolated, especially when making critical decisions, might want to consider a mutually beneficial, peer-to-peer relationship with a colleague they respect.
Working more has become an American status symbol, while people in other countries seek and find greater fulfillment outside of work.
Do you invest the same amount of time dwelling on your successes as you do your failures?
One of the biggest challenges in achieving success is learning to accept being uncomfortable. Here's why conquering discomfort opens doors and unleashes untapped potential.
Change and transition are two very different things that happen simultaneously whenever we move into something new. Here's why understanding the difference is so important.
Feeling restless, not quite satisfied, like something missing or there’s got to be more to work and life than this! Here are 4 questions that can determine if you're ready for a change.
If you feel pulled in the direction of change, begin your planning and preparation with this honest self-assessment.
There comes a moment when you know it’s time to leave the comforts of the familiar and move on. How do you know if now is that time?
Even companies with the best intentions struggle to create the inclusive workforces they seek. Since bias in recruitment, selection and development is extremely hard to eliminate, HBR recommends interrupting it.
According to Harvard Business Review, diverse workforces are more committed, have higher collective intelligence, and are better at making decisions and solving problems. Diversity starts with inclusive hiring practices. Here are two to consider.
Hiring and maintaining a diverse workforce comes with many proven benefits. To get an inclusive staff you must start with hiring. Here are two ways to adjust your practices.
Having the right people in the right roles is critical for optimal business results. Here are three easy questions to ask yourself as you assess your staff.
If you catch yourself joining the chorus of all the problems of the day, here's how you can shift your focus to all that is good in your life.
It turns out that early career setbacks can actually move you toward success. In his "New York Times" article, Tim Herrera shared evidence found by researchers at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern.
If you lead, it’s because others have agreed to follow you. Here's how to show them that you value their trust in you.
When employees raise and award grants together, it strengthens their relationships and increases job satisfaction.
When is the right time to strike out on your own? Here are 4 tips that will help you stop overplanning and start moving you toward your next opportunity.
According to researchers at Rutgers University, using your cellphone when taking work breaks is a habit you might want to quit.
Not all decisions can be made through gut instinct. Here's how to determine when it's appropriate to rely on your intuition.
John Vlastelica, former recruiting director for Amazon and Expedia, and founder of the Recruiting Toolbox offers recruiters these three low-cost, practical tips to improve their hiring outcomes.
Harvard Business Review reported on a study conducted in India, wherein employees who were disappointed by their wage increase were given the chance to voice their concerns. Here's what they discovered.
Dr. Hossein Rahnama, a CEO and associate professor, says there are things he has learned while teaching that have informed his approach to leadership.
According to Harvard Business Review contributor Jon Christiansen, there are more job openings than there are unemployed people. Even in such a tight labor market, Christiansen says there are several things employers commonly do that make people quit. Here are two.
Today’s tight labor market means organizations must work harder to keep the people they have. Harvard Business Review contributor Jon Christiansen says, there are three things that tend to make people quit that leaders must stop doing.
“Your attitude will determine your altitude.” Famous words of the late, great trainer Zig Ziglar. They ring true, no matter where you are in the organizational hierarchy. From part-timer, to entry level to CEO, it matters how you show up. Here's why.
There are many reasons why an employee may feel job insecurity. The solution to the problem may be in having more supportive managers.
Many think the secret to achieving is the doing. Without planning, anticipating obstacles and charting a realistic path, the doing may be more difficult than it needs to be.
According to Gallup, the executive least likely to become CEO is your Human Resources Officer. It may be time to rethink this often-overlooked position. Here are three reasons why.
Just as there’s office etiquette, the Wall Street Journal says there’s also coffee shop etiquette that will help ensure you’re always welcome at your favorite java joint.
If you use your favorite coffee shop for a change of scenery, or prefer it to working at home, Wall Street Journal says there are important rules that will make you a good patron.
Have you ever noticed that some days your negative emotions are more easily triggered than other days? The reasons why may surprise you.
Dr. Marc Brackett suggests using his 4-step Meta-Moment to quickly reel yourself in before you go off.
When managers hoard talent, they may think they’re protecting their turf, but they’re actually driving the best people away. Here are 3 ways to address the problem.
If you’re losing your most valuable players, talent hoarding could be the cause. Learn why managers do it and how you can end it.
To take a few new steps on your journey to inclusion, journal your responses to these 3 questions.
Some leaders say they want to set stretch goals, but they also want plans that account for all possible outcomes and consequences. Here's why this is not possible or practical.
If you lead meetings, you might feel obligated to set the agenda and come prepared with all the answers. There's a better way. Here are three ways to engage participants and provide real value.
Do you suspect that your staff meeting is losing its value? Are people coming late and leaving early? Are they interacting with their technology or having side conversations? Here are three things you can try.
A new study by universities in the UK and New Zealand looked at the pros and cons of a digital detox while traveling. While there were some cons, the pros won the day. Here's what they learned.
Research shows that walking away from technology can be an emotional journey. Before trying a tech-free vacation, here's how you can experiment and slowly prepare.
In a 2018 blog post, author Frank Sonnenberg shared 15 phrases that communicate a bad attitude. Here are 9 of them.
If you're a women who feels guilty for saying no to tasks that don't enhance your career, you're reacting to real bias. Here's what research shows.
Here's how women are turning to each other for support in saying no to time wasting tasks that don't help their careers and that men aren't asked to do.
If you’ve become the ear for an office complainer, then CNN’s Kathryn Vasel has some steps you can take.
Do you struggle with asking for help? Asking for help is natural, normal and, often times, just what your situation warrants.
As businesses turn even more attention to improving the employee experience, Forbes.com shares new data-driven HR jobs and titles that are becoming popular.
Even if your company doesn’t have titles like the ones Forbes.com recently reported on, these approaches will likely filter into the way you do manage employees in the future.
Research shows that men are supported more than women, which can be an insurmountable obstacle on the path to the c-suite.
Well-placed sponsors and mentors can influence one’s career trajectory. Here are 3 things Harvard Business Review recommends to male leaders to close the c-suite gender gap.
Here's what to do after you've identified your protégé, set her up with a stretch project and made sure she understands how it will help her and the company.
A recent article from the Society of Human Resource Managers cited excerpts from the book “Extinguish Burnout” by Rob and Terrie Bogue. Here are the three interconnected components of burn out they say signal you might be burned out.
Do you suffer from analysis paralysis? Do you struggle to make big decisions because the unknown scares you or deciding now feels like too big a commitment? Help is here!
Do you find it difficult sit down and work through big projects? Here are Productivity Coach Ellen Faye’s 5 ways to get into and stay in your flow.
When we believe we’ve failed at something, it’s easy to fall into a pit of despair. To feel better, here are 3 ways to show yourself some love.
Here's what New York Times contributors Rachel Simmons says about teaching yourself to get back up after a disappointment or an outright fiasco.
Here are three tips to fix Insomnia -- which can impact your cognitive abilities and general quality of life.
Quick decision-making is one of the hallmarks of an agile company. Management consulting firm McKinsey and Company looks at three types of decisions and ways to speed up the process.
Mistakes. We all make them. What’s important is how we deal with them so that our errors don’t become our undoing. Here's how the New York Times suggests we move on.
Wondering if you have what it takes to become a freelancer or consultant? Harvard Business Review says it takes three qualities to successfully navigate an independent work life.
Do you dream about leaving the protective cocoon of an established organization to become an independent entrepreneur? Here are some of the upsides striking out on your own.
As liberating as freelancing may sound, it also comes with a lot of challenges, including a great deal of unpredictability and volatility.
This communication style can influence your rise to the C-Suite. Test whether you’re someone who gets to your point quickly without losing others.
Here's how one international theatre chain created a culture of continuous improvement with its frontline employees.
Today’s high-pressure work environment can take its toll on managers, which can spread throughout the company. Here are 2 ways Gallup says will help stay off burnout.
Research shows that the Servant-Leader approach to managing people has tangible benefits.
Generation Z, people ages sixteen to twenty-five, have begun entering the workforce. Is your company ready for how they perceive their role in the workplace?
I am a proud member of a women’s collective giving group, the likes of which are increasing in number and impact. Here's what I learned.
In a recent Forbes.com article, Travis Bradberry listed 13 powerful psychological forces that make us do bad things. Here are 4 that can help us become more self-aware and better understand the people around us.
Good self-awareness includes knowing how invisible, yet powerful forces can lead to making bad, unethical choices. Here are 5 of those influencers.
Imposter Syndrome is heightened for women and people of color. The New York Times’ Working Women’s Handbook says it disproportionately affects anyone who feels the pressure of accomplishing “firsts.” But here are some ways to move self doubt.
Michelle Obama once said, “Eventually, I just got tired of always worrying what everyone else thought of me. So, I decided not to listen.” We may doubt ourselves, but we're increasingly stepping up.
If meetings are a big part of your work life, here's how Steven Rogelberg suggests making them better.
Research conducted by Glassdoor found that job seekers’ use of mobile devices continues to grow, and mobile use is even higher in some categories. Here's which ones.
Our knowledge-based economy has changed how we conduct business. Harvard Business Review says tethering employees to email deserves rethinking. Here's why.
Forbes.com contributor Celinne Da Costa believes that building a business is temporary. But building a brand is the key to long-term survival and stability in a turbulent marketplace. Here's why.
Front line employees are often required to ask customers for personal information without understanding why. If they don’t know the rationale, they may end up collecting bad data.
Let’s take a quick look four more Leadership Principles – the norms that guide day-to-day behavior.
Amazon is one of the most innovative companies in the world, and their leadership principles are a big driver. Here’s are 4 things that guide how leaders operate.
There's an African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Here are tips for going together.
Conflict is natural and inevitable. Our comfort level with addressing it determines our response and the outcome. Here are 11 tips for making it constructive.
A standard job interview question is “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” How you answer that question can reveal more than what may appear on the surface.
Often, leaders are extroverts with lots of charisma and energy. But two related studies from Ohio State University reveal that there are limits to how effective that personality trait can be.
A study at the University of Basel in Switzerland suggests that if you set attainable goals, you’ll experience more satisfaction. Here's why.
If we lose a job, a loved-one or suffer a debilitating illness, we can begin to believe that this is our new and permanent normal. Oprah.com contributor Mark Nepo offers these four tips to help you turn loss into strength.
If you have an employee who takes up more than their fair share of time, a recent Society of Human Resource Management article says you first need to understand why before you can take appropriate steps.
While Business Insider’s list of seven things people who’ve hit success milestones by age 35 have mastered isn’t groundbreaking, little reminders are always helpful, no matter your age.
Harvard Business Review contributor Michael Watkins says your first steps after starting a new job can determine if you’ll succeed or constantly face uphill battles. To provide focus and intent, he says to ask yourself these five questions.
Researchers have been studying this for decades. Here’s the latest word from University of Tennessee.
Is your company the stalwart in your marketplace or the insurgent changing the way your industry conducts business.
No matter your company’s size, you're impacted by the growing wave of disruption. These 5 questions will help you understand where your company fits in today.
Delivering negative feedback or criticism is rarely easy. But researchers at University of Toronto found that how people receive criticism depends greatly on the source.
These two parts of your brain are constantly battling to control your reactions and behaviors. Here's how good leaders manage the negative impulses that threaten reason.
To be an effective leader, it's important to understand the two parts of your brain that are battling for control at all times.
Procrastination isn't about being lazy or unmotivated. Here's what's really keeping you from doing what you know you need to do.
If you're trying to break your procrastination habit, here are two ways you can finally tackle the things you're avoiding.
Researchers at the UK’s University of Exeter have found that having a high-quality relationship with employees is good. But there's one more thing leaders can do to build genuine loyalty.
Researchers at University of Texas Austin say you can kick your brainstorming up a notch with one simple step.
Olympic gold medalist and World Cup soccer champ Abby Wambach is turning her attention to strengthening women leaders. The author of the new book, Wolfpack, says it’s time to update the rules that governs how women approach leadership.
Didn’t get that promotion or great job for which you had applied? It’s okay to feel bad about it, but don’t get stuck there. New York Times Smarter Living Editor Tim Herrera offers ways to reframe the situation and grow as a result.
As a leader, it’s okay to admit that you have feelings. Sometimes it’s even good to share those feelings with your team. Harvard Business Review offers 5 ways to manage your emotions at work.
Are you a leader who struggles to see the value of building relationships with your team? Do you see the personal stuff as a distraction? Harvard Business Review offers these 5 fixes.
Intense business demands can lead to highly task-focused leaders whose myopic approach to getting things done can be harmful, especially if they view people-focused activities as a waste of time.
Here's why it's so important to resist doing it all yourself and to trust others to be part of the process.
Different personality types prefer different styles of communication. Based on the DiSC model, here's the best way to deliver information to the 4 personality profiles they recognize.
What are you still doing today that technology can streamline or that -- for one reason or another -- is no longer needed?
You’re a control freak and you know it. But you can’t find your way clear of this stressful, energy-stealing frame of mind. Oprah.com contributor Martha Beck offers these 5 tips to help.
One way agile companies foster growth is they cut down on the complexity of their decision-making processes. Here's the one thing that will help you address this in your organization.
Confirmation bias is when we seek out information that validates our own point of view. Sound familiar?
While conflict is inevitable and can be seen as the healthy manifestation of competition, how we engage during conflict is key. Here are a few well-worn ruts to resist.
Sometimes opportunities we weren’t expecting come our way – something that seems like such an unlikely fit, it wasn’t even on our radar. Here's what to do before you say thanks, but no thanks.
After showing new hires their work space, the lunchroom and restrooms, and introduced them to the team, try this.
Your schedule is jam packed, but there’s an important team meeting that you want to participate in. The clock isn’t on your side, but with proper planning, here’s how you can ensure the team hears from you.
Here are the four types of leaders Deloitte says are successful in this – the early part of Industrial Revolution 4.0.
In today’s business environment, creativity is an asset. There are risks, but the upside outweighs them.
Sometimes, hiding behind email causes more trouble than it's worth. Here are 6 situations where you should stop emailing and make the call.
A renewed focus on life-long employability may save your company money, and boost productivity and employee engagement.
Spending days in a classroom learning new things is no longer the gold standard for employee training. Here's how some are rethinking how to keep employee knowledge up to date.
BusinessInsider.com recently spoke to CEO’s who’ve done thousands of interviews about the things that catch their attention when meeting with job candidates. Here’s are a few.
Once you decide on your next career move, here's how you can stack the deck in favor of finding the perfect your job.
Here's why your job search shouldn't start with seeing what jobs are out there, or updating your resume.
New York Times Columnist Maya Salam wrote recently about the unintended consequences of the ‘Me Too’ movement, and the harm it could be doing to women in business.
To LEAD an agile company, you certainly need the right mindsets, skills, tools, processes AND managers who are aligned with business goals and create a culture of engagement.
The gig economy dictates that managers do even more to create a workplace wherein employees feel included and engaged, a place where relationships are marked by mutual respect. How?
Empathy is a growing expectation among today’s workforce. But when there is a difference between how the employer and the employees think about the job, an empathy gap occurs. Here are some examples.
If you're sensing an empathy gap between leadership and employees, try these 8 things to close the distance.
Many experts believe that empowered and engaged employees are more productive and more loyal. But where do managers begin the process of building the ideal energized and focused team?
The days of "either-or" thinking a coming to an end. Today's business climate requires a "both-and" approach to decision making.
On any given Sunday on the NFL sideline, you can witness the "emergence mindset" in action. Here's how business leaders can benefit from the same decision-making process that their favorite football coaches use.
Effective problem-solving starts with making sure you understand the kind of problem you’re solving. Here's the best place to start.
What are the pitfalls to being the only woman, or one of a few women, in the workplace?
Now that winter has us firmly in its grip, have you thought through what it will take to work from home effectively?
In a recent SHRM interview, best-selling author Dan Schawbel, offers tips for maintaining the human connection in an increasingly digital world. Here are a few.
Researchers at University of California, Davis set out to answer an age-old question: what makes an emotionally healthy person?
According to Gallup, today’ employees treat their job search like they treat their shopping. They have lots of information and options, and they don’t see the need to settle for a job that’s not right for them.
If you’re one of the people at or near the top, and you want to retain good employees, know that your actions and behaviors define the culture.
How would you like to start the New Year with free access to a coach who can help you break through to the next level? That’s what I’m offering you today.
Gallup says the way Millennials see the world uniquely positions them to advance workplace diversity and inclusiveness.
For strategies for diversity and inclusiveness to truly hold, Gallup says three things are required.
Just in time for the start of the New Year, I have a new tool for your personal and professional development.
Companies make a lot of promises to lure the best candidates. They tout flexibility and personal development policies that, in practice, are only as good as the company’s managers.
According to many experts, we fear public speaking more than we fear death. But if speeches or presentations aren’t something you can avoid, Fast Company offers these prep tips to help hide anxiety.
As you continue to contemplate what you’d like to do differently in 2019, I urge you to consider a resolution for self-kindness. Look at ways you can turn your attention within to create inner peace and self-guided happiness.
Harvard Business Review says there are two things lazy managers do that drive people away and hurt your bottom line.
If you think your company is bleeding good employees because of lazy managers, Harvard Business Review offers this advice.
A recent study published in the Sage Journal on Human Relations asserts that women are less effective at networking for two reasons.
Whether it’s a company-sponsored event, a colleague-hosted gathering, or a party with family and friends, put your best foot forward. Steer clear of “too many” and “too much.”
If you lead a team, or an entire organization, think about setting a companywide New Year’s resolution – one that will help build a strong, positive and inclusive culture. Here’s how one of my clients approached it.
Since you can't always prevent a fiery debate -- not matter how hard you try -- you can turn it into a respectful dialogue.
As the holiday party season heats up, it’s wise to plan ahead when it comes to managing conversations with co-workers and other guests. Business Insider turned to Lizzie Post, co-author of several Emily Post etiquette books, for these tips on avoiding uncomfortable conversations.
The bravado that masquerades as self confidence is not what it seems, nor is it effective.
Is it time to rewrite that unrelenting narrative that says you have to charge hard all the time to be successful?
It works for companies, so why not put the SWOT analysis to work in your personal life?
This simple exercise, done regularly, will help you become more aware and respectful of the messages your body and mind send you.
Our bodies communicate with us constantly. Often they sends messages that we ignore or that we don't connect to what we're experiencing.
While some people are great delegators, many struggle with trusting others to do as good a job as they do. According to the Harvard Business Review, here are some steps you can take in the right direction.
As the job market heats up, it’s a good time to look at a study conducted by University of Texas at Austin’s David Pedulla. His findings indicate that people who accept positions below their skill level damage future job prospects.
Since Baby Boomers began their careers, expectations have changed dramatically. Here's are 2 ways others are taking matters into their own hands.
If your opinion of your effectiveness at work differs from your co-workers, forbes.com contributors David Sturt and Todd Nordstrom offer six reasons why. Here are three of them.
Forbes.com contributors David Sturt and Todd Nordstrom say that if you think you’re doing great at work, but others around you don’t agree, you may be undermining yourself without realizing it. Here are three surprising ways you might be sabotaging your reputation.
Do you feel bombarded by information and opinions? Are you overwhelmed by the media, colleagues, friends, family, and sometimes total strangers imposing their point of view on you?
Are you struggling to stay positive in what may feel like a negative world? Here are some suggestions that might help you turn that negative energy into something more positive.
We’ve become more relaxed and informal as technology shapes the way we connect verbally. It's still important to keep your communication skills strong. Here's a simple way to do so.
When is the last time you assessed your growing ability to achieve your life goals? These 3 questions can help you get started.
It’s tempting to respond to someone’s angry rant or accusation with something even more incendiary. But that will only lead to an escalation and move you further away from a resolution. Instead, here's a better way to deal with the situation.
In a recent TED Talk, Melinda Epler suggests that we can all become allies and supporters of co-workers who are the victims of micro aggression. Here's how.
According to Merriam Webster, microaggression is defined as “a comment or action that subtly and, often unconsciously or unintentionally, expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group.” Often, the action is so subtle and habituated that the perpetrator does it without even realizing it.
Here are some of the reasons experts believe women experience "Imposter Syndrome" more than men.
Research has linked innovation that leads to profit to having at least this percentage of women in leadership roles.
It happens to all of us. You’re cruising through your day, then suddenly something completely unexpected happens. Here's the emotionally intelligent way to approach it.
Although it doesn’t always feel like it, honesty is usually the best policy. Three studies conducted by researchers at University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Carnegie Mellon explored the consequences of speaking your truth.
By it's very nature, motivation is fleeting. We call upon it when we need it, but it doesn't always continue to work it's magic. Here's how to keep your motivation toolbox full.
No matter how smart we think we are, we still have a lot to learn. Here's why you should always good questions rather than assume you're right.
Go ahead. Make the follow up phone call. Send that follow up email. A study shows that the new people you meet like you better than you think.
Here's a closer look at English writer Joseph Addison's quote, "If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.”
In the words of Colin Powell, “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.” Here's how why you MUST communicate vision in easy-to-follow terms.
If you’re someone who doesn’t use all of their vacation time, or you feel you’re too busy to get away, listen up. According to Lonely Planet, you’re more likely to die younger than someone who prioritizes vacation travel. Here's why.
Generally, the impact email has had on productivity has been positive. It has sped up communication and disrupted limitations on when and where we can do business. But consider these two unintended consequences.
Results recently released from a Binghamton University study prove that kindness and compassion are the key to better employee performance. The University’s researchers surveyed one-thousand members of the Taiwanees Army and 200 fulltime US workers.
For starters, loving your whole self – mind, body and soul – is not selfish.” Rather, it’s necessary for a healthy life.
Each of us is motivated by something different. We all haveour unique reasons for pushing through. Here's a simple way to figure out what motivates you.
Success.com contributor Sara Fabian’s article, “7 Life Truths I Wish I Knew Sooner,” puts things we stress out about into perspective. She he didn’t see herself as beautiful, smart or good enough, so, she took matters into her own hands.
To be viewed as more valuable to a current or future employer, here's how to be proactive about increasing your skills portfolio.
If you're not hiring women because of this, you're missing out on the most important strength a leader needs to build and nurture a successful team.
As more and more companies allow employees to work remotely, chances are you may have the opportunity to do so. FlexJobs.com recommends asking yourself three questions before you say, “Yes.”
Working for someone you believe is a bad boss is extraordinarily difficult. Some people stay in these awful situations, others leave in search of a more satisfying work environment. But before you start floating your resume, consider Mary Abbajay’s simple advice.
In a recent New York Times interview, Mary Abbajay, the author of “Managing Up, How to Move Up, Win at Work and Succeed With Any Type of Boss,” gave these examples of three types of bad bosses. Are you reporting to one of these?
If your company is hiring and the job posting doesn’t include a salary range, you may be turning off good candidates. According to SHRM, 70% of job seekers surveyed by LinkedIn said they want to know salary information before applying.
One of my core messages in my book and when I speak is to seek out your true purpose and allow it to guide you to your unique happiness. But that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s only one thing you’re good at or put here to do.
If you aspire to become a leader, but your title is still something less, Forbes contributor William Arruda offers these five tips to help others see you in a leadership role.
One thing we all have in common is that at some point, we will face obstacles. But within each of us is the capacity to persevere. We each find that strength in different ways and different places.
A recent New York Times article explored ways our peers influence us. At the center is a proven notion that we adopt the behaviors and mindsets of the people with whom we spend time. Who is that for you?
In my book, LIES That Limit, and when I speak to audiences, my goal is to help people let go of limiting beliefs and strengthen their belief in themselves. Success.com contributor John Addison offers 5 ways to bolster belief in yourself.
Are you brushing up your resume? Wondering what stale or useless information can go? Forbes.com contributor Liz Ryan has some answers.
If public speaking freaks you out, here are four rituals that Harvard Business Review Contributor Nancy Duarte says can pump you up, or calm you down.
When updating your resume, you might be wondering how far back you should go,or how much should you pump yourself up.
If you’re in the process of readying your resume for immediate distribution, Forbes.com contributor Liz Ryan offers a list of things you can remove.
We all know that employee burnout is real. And it comes with significant costs to organizations. According to a recent Gallup study of 7,500 full time employees, two-thirds have experienced burnout to some degree. Here are the hidden costs employers are paying.
Recent articles on Gallup.com looked at employee burnout. Its effects costs companies big dollars and cents. On the surface, it might appear that demand for high productivity is to blame, but according to Gallup, the problem is more about how people are managed.
If you’re a manager, the probability is high that some members of your team have or will experience burnout. According to Gallup, two thirds of people they studied reported burnout to some degree. Here are 5 things Gallup says managers can do about it.
Regardless of how self-aware you are, evolution has built in powerful programming that can up-end your best intentions. But according to Success.com contributor Tom Bilyeu, you can upgrade that programming by recognizing your triggers and choosing your reactions. Here's how.
If you’re in a leadership role, you’re likely juggling two very important responsibilities — being accessible to your people and generating the strategies and ideas that move the organization forward. Harvard Business Review contributor Maura Thomas has recommendations for doing both effectively. Here are two.
Thoughts and emotions are tied to one another. Just thinking about something generates an emotional reaction, which triggers similar thoughts and emotions. This loop can send us spiraling downward in ways that are seemingly out of our control. But nothing can be further from the truth.
Are you addicted to your devices? Never without them? Do you respond reflexively to every beep, buzz and ding? There's a rising market for digital-device free holidays, but you can stay home and do the same.
How do you approach the end of your workday – when your energy is low there’s not enough time to start a new project? Surf social media? Aimlessly finger through things on your desk? Fast Company offers these suggestions for making the last stretch of your day more productive.
If you manage people, you’ve probably experienced yourself switching between the roles of visionary leader and hands-on manager. Each role requires a particular mindset and set of competencies. Here are examples of when you should wear your hands-on manager hat.
Switching back and forth between hands-on manager and visionary leader is something many are required to do, especially at the top. Different situations require different roles. Here are some examples of scenarios that call for putting on your visionary leader hat.
Success is created by the self-responsible – people who know for sure that they are accountable for their lives – professionally and personally.
When you’re called on to give a presentation, here’s a simple tip that will make it memorable and meaningful for your audience.
Recently, Forbes.com shared how some companies are building loyalty by empowering their customer-facing employees to fix problems on the spot.
Wishing someone at work would say, “I noticed what you did. Thank You. Good job!” Such needs are real and are borne out of frustration and benign neglect. But are you giving what you'd like to receive?
To feel alive, we have to change and make progress. We become more and can inspire positive change in others when we expand our own range of experiences and reservoir of knowledge.
As companies scale up, it is easy to see how some employees can become disconnected from the customer. Focusing on the bottom line is important. Here’s one way to improve revenue, and so much more.
To communicate effectively, we must be mindful about how our messages are sent and received. To that end, Mindtools.com breaks communication down into five component parts that are universally at play whenever we speak to another person.
Clear goals and targets position you to make effective use of your time, talent, energy and network.
Pushing back or attempting to influence others to move or change position is something we all need to do from time to time. But what keeps us from advocating for ourselves or the greater good? Fear. Here's how to shift that pattern.
Clients often ask me about proven ways to develop themselves. They want to grow as people and be more skillful and emotionally intelligent when engaging others. I recommend exploring Core Energetics. Here's why.
If your company boasts an entrepreneurial culture, Fast Company offers these tips to help you find people who will best fit in.
If your company values collaboration over independence, Fast Company recommends that hiring managers ask the following questions to find the people who are the best fit for your collaborative culture.
Is your company’s culture shifting and evolving? If the answer is yes, and you’re in the process of hiring new people, here are the questions Fast Company recommends asking during interviews.
As companies step up their sexual harassment training, it’s important to make sure it’s effective and relevant. Here are a few updates to consider from the Society for Human Resources Management.
Marion Anderson once said, “Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.” Her message provides clear encouragement to seek to understand what the people you’re leading need to be successful, from their perspective.
When hiring, know what your company culture is and, if it’s changing, what you want it to become. Fast Company has identified three different company cultures and a structured method for hiring those who best fit.
When we think we know we stop asking questions. Perhaps, we even stop listening. Sometimes, we assume we have the right answer or know what another is thinking. But, in reality, we don’t?
Are any of these career stallers a potential problem for you or someone who reports to you?
What if you considered the standard greeting, “How are you?” an opportunity to initiate contact and start a dialogue? Here's how.
One proven way to build leadership skills, elevate yourself in the eyes of higher ups and network in a meaningful way, is to volunteer for a non-profit board or committee.
If you’ve been labeled shy, aloof, arrogant, distant or reserved, here are a few tips that could help you be experienced as more approachable:
What do you do when conflict emerges? How do you deal with another person’s anger? Here are several techniques that just may prove helpful.
Negative thought spirals can hijack our ability to power through situations we perceive as difficult. Forbes.com contributor Alice Walton offers some new ways to beat back those debilitating voices in our heads that make our fears feel real and infuse doubt.
While it’s fairly common for people who are successful as an individual contributor to rise to levels that involve managing others, research conducted by Gallup says that about one in ten people possess the right talents to manage others.
Can working for someone you consider a bad manager damage your health? A recent Gallup blog post, characterizes having a bad manager as a one-two punch.
Sound consultant Julian Treasure advises companies around the world about using sound to their advantage. His book, “How to be Heard: Secrets for Powerful Speaking and Listening” reveals how to speak effectively – and goes beyond the sound and cadence of your voice.
Labels are part of how humans make sense of the world. But, when we reduce things to categories, we falsely convince ourselves that we understand our unknowable universe.
A recent Harvard Business Review article suggests that when trying to change someone’s mind, the best thing to do is listen. Frequently, instead of listening, we tend to craft an argument in favor of our position and debate relentlessly — leaving no room for mutual understanding.
Often, the purpose and format of these meetings were established long ago. Out of habit, they remain on calendars. But should they?
Human nature can lead us down the path of emotional comfort. For example, Gallup says, one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when they build their team is picking people who are too much like them. Here's why this is problematic.
Are you starting an entrepreneurial venture? Have you already begun one? Or, do you work in a place where the entrepreneurial spirit thrives? If so, here are the 3 types of people Gallup says you need on your team.
Plagued by a task that you know you must do, but just can’t bring yourself to complete? That email you need to write? That call you have to make? That conversation you’ve been putting off? You’re not alone.
“Happiness does not come from doing easy work, but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after achieving a difficult task that demanded our best.”
~Psychologist and author Theodore Issac Rubin
Fast Company contributor Amanda Zantal-Wiener offers these 6 tips for staying on task when no one is present to hold you accountable.
As part of this open and honest forum, the Millenaial panelists shared a number of their workplace frustrations. High on their list was a perceived lack of transparency.
Here's what else they don't like.
During a recent panel discussion where Millennials shared their views with one company’s leaders, they expressed their desire for work-life balance and continuous learning and growth.
Here's what else they told their Baby Boomer and GenXer leadership team.
The leaders were Baby Boomers and members of Generation X. The panelists were Millennials. I was their facilitator for a candid conversation. Here’s how the panelists answered questions about how they want to be managed.
For some people, the first time they’re approached with a new idea or question, their reflex response is, “No.” Immediately, they put up a wall that halts progress toward innovation or needed change. If that feels familiar, try this...
We’ve all encountered people who instantly shoot down most, if not all people, who come to them with their ideas. Here’s how I recommend approaching someone like that.
Who is on your “go-to” list? Who are the people you reach out to for new projects, innovative suggestions, opinions or feedback? Is it always the same narrow group, or do you consciously work to expand and diversify the members of your personal think thank?
How do you ask your employees how they're doing on projects? Do your questions promote growth or shut down opportunities for discussion?
Why four little words, “How can I help?” open up a big opportunity for growth for you and the employee.
You’re in a meeting. Something happens. You feel like pitching a fit. Heart racing, head swirling, your emotions are red hot. Here’s a way to diffuse your negative energetic charge and address the issue.
Theory and practice are very different. When learning something new, never underestimate the importance of actually doing it.
Green means everything is moving forward, as expected. But this all-green, all-good approach can set you up for failure.
Put SCRUM, the high-tech industry's secret project-management weapon, to work for your team.
Do you find yourself yearning for an end to challenges, change, learning and growth. Here's how to stop swimming against the tide, because we are always changing and evolving.
For people affected by change who are outside the inner circle and aren’t privy to the “why” of a specific shift in strategy or direction, change can appear needless.
Even when we have the best intentions, it can be difficult to sooth a co-worker who has suffered a great loss. Here are five suggestions to guide you.
Research at Purdue University found that super chickens living together didn't produce more eggs. They pecked each other to death. Is the same kind of competition slowing your company's progress?
All around us, there are signs that many of us are deeply entrenched in our views. In a 2017 blog post, author Frank Sonnenberg, wrote about the benefits of being open-minded. Here are the eight reasons he urges us all to embrace open-mindedness.
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” This proverb, attributed to Buddhists, speaks to the very nature of the laws of attraction. When we’re poised to take on something new, we begin noticing things around us that can move us toward our goals.
I invite you to join me in a challenge inspired by a New York Times Smarter Living article. Tim Herrera writes that, "if you’re not all in, say no."
According to Forbes.com contributor Joseph Folkman, inspiration and motivation top the list of what employees crave from their leaders. But people who lead are falling dramatically short in delivering. One possible reason – their approach may not come from a place of authenticity. Folk man offers these six styles. Find the one that naturally suites you.
Are big changes on your company’s horizon? William and Susan Bridges, authors of “Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change” suggest asking three questions to make things go smoothly.
Some organizational changes are unavoidable. Others are driven by external forces or internal leadership’s desire to do more, better. Whatever the reason for change, it’s wise to assess how well the organization can weather the transition before it begins.
Is your industry having trouble appealing to younger job candidates? Is it difficult to grab attention away from glamorous tech and start-up businesses? As Fast Company’s Bill Taylor writes in the Harvard Business Review, attracting young talent starts when they’re in college.
Are you preparing for an interview and salary negotiation? Here are ten things Forbes.com says NOT to say if you want the job at the salary you desire.
Here are some unexpected things we do that Forbes.com says can determine whether people judge us as likeable or not.
Are you riding the wave that life has placed under you? Or are you consciously choosing a life that is personally meaningful and fulfilling?
It’s never too early or late to start thinking about your Legacy. Knowing what you’d like to leave behind can serve as a powerful compass and a force that can help you resist the pull of temptation.
It’s easy to lose your way when you’re trying to achieve a big, ambitious goal. But with the right plan, like the one Dr. Heidi Grant offers on "Oprah.com," you’ll stay focused and steadily move forward.
Job security isn’t always guaranteed, but according to "Fast Company" contributor Gwen Moran, there are seven things you can do to stack the deck in your favor. Here are six of them.
What we think is what we become. “To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” Within these words by Henry David Thoreau, I find an undeniable truth about consciously choosing to think positively.
Instead of sabotaging yourself by thinking so big, or having such grand intentions, start small, stay small and act consistently.
Don't be swayed by star performers, blind inclusiveness or old loyalties. These four simple questions can help you identify the right leaders for your team.
Simple words and phrases that we use every day can stand in the way of moving up. In an interview with Crystal Barnett, a senior HR specialist, Fast Company looked at eight phrases that send the wrong signals. Here are a few.
“With integrity, you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide. With integrity, you will do the right thing, so you will have no guilt.” ~Zig Ziglar
Even though you can start celebrating finding your ideal hire, you also have to break the news to a fellow employee that they weren’t selected. Here are some important do’s and don’ts from the Harvard Business Review that can guide you.
Here are few tips to consider when you’re faced with another person’s angry meltdown, in the office, or in your personal life:
At one time or another, you’ve probably found yourself smack dab in the middle of other people’s tensions, tussles and antagonistic relationships. When that happens, here are a few principles to keep in mind.
It’s wise to think through a sticky, difficult to discuss issue, before raising it for open discussion. Whatever the issue – problems with the new product, teamwork across silos, or challenges with your boss, getting it out and on the table increases the probability of finding a solution. Here's one way to handle it.
If you have weekends off, or whenever your weekend actually takes place, the most important thing is using that time to rejuvenate. Here’s how James Reinhart, CEO of ThredUp.com, told Oprah.com he uses his weekend time.
William Butler Yeats once said, “Think like a wise man, but communicate in the language of the people.” While you could interpret, “ language of the people” in a lot of ways, in my view, Yeats is saying know your audience and speak to them so they will understand.
We’re more than half way through January. How are you doing with your resolutions? The New York Times offers up these suggestions to help you sustain commitment and stay the course.
When something bad happens, it can launch us into a negative spiral of thoughts and reactions, “blame-storming” or an overwhelming sense of intractable defeat. Such reactions are not productive, nor do they acknowledge the full reality of the situation.
The prevalence of overly-biased thinking is something we seem to be confronted with more and more. Biased thinking isn't hard-wired into us. A recent study reveals that there are ways to fix lopsided perceptions of the world.
Are you guilty of listening to respond rather than listening to understand? If you said yes, here's the help you'll need to win through better listening.
As a leader, your highest priority is supporting, motivating, guiding and inspiring the people who report to you. If you’re not already holding regular one-on-ones with key members of your team, here’s what you’re missing out on.
Are you ready to move up the ladder, but feeling plagued by the “What if’s?” Are you nervous or unsure about a new role you’ve got your eye on, or a lateral move into an area that will broaden you experience and responsibility. Rest assured. You’re not alone.
In your company, are you seen as competent and capable? If you’re not asking that question of yourself, you can bet people who count on you to deliver results, or look to you for leadership, are asking it about you.
Are you a “yes” person, or a “no” person? The first response to just about any question for a “no” person is, “No.” Even if the answer turns out to be yes, the “no” person starts with “No.”
Here's why "yes" people get ahead.
Are you looking for a proven way to boost your skills? Do you want to understand a concept or process more deeply, or demonstrate competency in a new area?
Jim Collin’s 2001 book “Good to Great” introduced the “Level 5 Leader” who, he said were most effective at producing high returns. But by their very nature, Level 5 Leaders aren’t in the headlines. Their accomplishments are rarely showcased as examples of success. But they deserve to be celebrated. Are you a Level 5 Leader??
Some people are fortunate to do work that they easily find personally meaningful. Others have to dig a little deeper to experience meaning in what they do everyday. If that sounds like you, here are four ways you can find meaning at work — no matter what you do.
When a project you’ve made a significant investment in goes south because you misread the direction of the market, or your plan was poorly executed, can you check your ego at the door? Or do you waste time and energy trying to cover up missteps or attempting to prove you’re right?
Letting your ego run the show can result in a number of issues.
When things go wrong, what do you focus on? Identifying who made the mistake or whose fault it was? Do you obsess about the weak link in the chain? Or do you use your finite energy to craft a solution?
I’m sure you can guess which I’m going to say is the best way to react.
Are you crystal clear about what you would like to accomplish over the next month, six months or over the next year or two? Or, are you more general, perhaps even vague, when it comes to your goals? If your goal is not specific, you really don’t know exactly what you’re aiming for.
Ever held a meeting where everyone seemed enthusiastic about the topic and next steps? But, soon after, it was back to business as usual? Here are two tips that may increase commitment and foster progress.
Company holiday parties are an important place for coworkers to bond and get to know each other outside of the work environment. But this year, scrutiny of everyone’s behavior is more intense. It’s important to keep in mind that not all harassment is sexual or physical. Here are some other behaviors to stay away from.
Fear of failure is pretty widely accepted as a real thing. But its lesser-known counterpart, “fear of success,” can look and feel the same. Both have similar consequences.
Our natural response is to put up our defenses and fight back. To keep things from escalating, give the chemicals in your brain a chance to level off. When you sense battle lines being drawn between you and a co-worker, or a family member, take these steps.
When mindfully planned, holiday celebrations, whatever form they take, can go a long way to bridge differences and strengthen the sense of inclusion and teamwork.
When leaders think about sustainability, they often focus on their business model. But, what about succession planning?
As hard as it is to give others feedback, receiving it can be even more challenging. But, everyone who is focused on success needs feedback. If you’re a leader who is looking for feedback, Robert Kaplan writes in the Harvard Business Review that you can ask the people around you.
In addition to meeting day-to-day goals, leaders are responsible for developing and communicating vision – the broader organization’s vision, as well as their department’s. Don’t underestimate the importance of telling and retelling the story of where you’re headed and why.
In a recent interview, Princeton Professor Betsy Levy Paluck made a case for not fully trusting your first instincts. “We rush to simplify,” she said, drawing boundaries around our team and trying to make sense of a situation by justifying what’s right for ourselves.
Are you feeling stuck in exactly the place you don’t want to be? Are you looking for the right moment – that perfect set of circumstances – that will change your life? Well, here is some simple advice: take advantage of opportunities that present themselves. Here's how...
In Yoga, it’s common for the instructor to ask students to set an intention for their practice. An intention is the goal the person wishes to achieve, like being present, breathing deeply, more fully embodying a particular posture. Intentions are powerful tools, on and off the yoga mat.
I’m a big fan of journaling. I’ve personally experienced the way it helps process feelings and relieve stress that can stifle my progress. As it turns out, writing is an excellent way to stave off anxiety. That’s what a psychology graduate student at Harvard discovered.
It’s happened to all of us. We submit our resume or apply for a position only to be left hanging. We have no idea whether we’re still in the running or if we should cross that opportunity off the list. If that sounds familiar, you’ll love the new “candidate experience platform” Johnson and Johnson just launched.
We’re conditioned to believe that if we’re not actively engaged in doing something, we’re not using our time wisely. But being in constant motion doesn’t equal being productive. Sometimes taking time to stop and think is more valuable than pushing yourself to exhaustion.
The higher you move up, the bigger your impact on larger numbers of people, significant business processes and, very likely, a higher percentage of the company’s bottom line. The transition from one rung to the next may leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
If that’s so, it may mean you’re doing too much – alone.
Traditional thinking has always been that men are bigger risk takers than women. But research from England’s University of Exeter and the University of Melbourne, in Australia, is challenging that notion.
When you have to deliver bad news, do you just launch in, full force, or offer a polite pre-amble to buffer what’s about to come? Researchers at Brigham Young and South Alabama Universities found that recipients of bad news have a preference.
Often times, when leaders announce a major change, resistance from vocal stakeholders soon follows. If you’re lucky, the people with issues will come to you directly – giving you a chance to address grievances. But, more likely, the grumbling will happen out of earshot, although not without manifesting itself in one form or another.
Here's what their resistance might be telling you.
Sometimes it’s enough to be valued for your subject matter expertise. But if you want to move up the ranks, it helps to be viewed as a leader by the people with the power to elevate you. Here's how.
Clients tell me that they share my videos and podcasts with their teams. One client says she starts her staff meetings off by playing one of my videos. She finds the messages helpful for aligning their focus, strengthening confidence and enhancing emotional intelligence.
When you think about it, every team, network or office clique has a boss. They might not have the title, but they’re the one who informally leads the group toward consensus.
When being “disruptive” evolves from business philosophy to reality, everyone along the chain of command could be subjected to urgent and dramatic change, often.
Did you know that personal and professional development are free? That’s right. All it costs is a little time.
I see more and more people in meetings taking notes on their laptops or tablets. These devices are easy to manage and for some, using them eliminates a step, especially if you have to share your notes with others. But, research conducted at Princeton and Columbia Universities shows...
A recent study by researchers at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, INSEAD and Columbia looked at how power dynamics affect one’s ability to persuade. They found that successful persuasion depends on how powerful or powerless the speaker’s audience feels.
When you feel stress or anxiety, do you double down by also feeling guilty about it? According to the Harvard Health Blog, that can contribute to poor, long-term psychological health.
For some companies, corporate wellness is moving beyond smoking cessation and gym discounts. For example, Society for Human Resource Management reports that CISCO Systems takes a more holistic approach to what it means for an employee to be well.
If you’re stuck in one of Harvard Business Review contributor Annie McKee’s “Happiness Traps,” there are ways to break free. The “Ambition Trap,” the “Should Trap” and the “Overwork Trap” can all be addressed using three components of emotional intelligence.
Is work getting you down? Author and Harvard Business Review contributor Annie McKee says that could be due to one of three “Happiness Traps,” which are destructive mindsets and ways of working that keep you stuck, unhappy and rob you of success.
When you think of resilience, you might picture that punch drunk boxer coming back for more. But Harvard Business Review contributors Michelle Gielan and Shawn Achor say resilience is not about how you endure. It’s about how you recharge.
Are your job descriptions for new hires filled with unrealistic and overly specific hiring specifications? An article from The Society for Human Resource Management says recruiters call these “Purple Squirrels.”
One of my favorite episodes of Seinfeld was “The Jimmy.” It was about the guy who talked about himself in the third person. Remember that great dialogue where he announced, “Jimmy’s sweet on Elaine?” Research now shows that talking to yourself in the third person can help regulate your emotions.
There is nothing better than a good night’s sleep. But, if you’re struggling to sleep at night, a University Of Houston College of Optometry study says your smartphone, tablet or flat screen TV might be to blame.
In this era of big data, more and more companies conduct business based on information that is gathered and run through algorithms. In a recent Ted Talk, mathematician and data scientist Cathy O’Neil asks the troubling question, “What if the algorithms are wrong?”
The folks at Fast Company talked to job experts to find out what skills will be most important to employers in the future. Here are five that you may or may not see in the job posting.
Buddha said, “Those who have failed to work toward the truth have missed the purpose of living.” This reminds me to look beyond the story of my limited, personal truth about situations and people.
Think about something you’ve learned. For example, how to manage meetings, make effective presentations, write well, play tennis or golf. How to be a good listener, a great salesperson, teacher, parent or surfer. Whatever you know how to do today, you’ve learned it by degrees. I call it learning in layers.
Resistance is data. Don’t make it a problem. Don’t push against it, get angry, or wonder, “What’s wrong with them?”
The importance of “unlearning” is rarely, if ever discussed. Just like we give up our old cellphone for the shiny, new, improved one, we must clear out old beliefs and outdated perceptions in order to make room for new, better-informed thinking.
We have been taught to focus on learning whatever is needed to propel ourselves forward, particularly in our careers. Yet, to make room for growth and to keep pace with our changing world, especially if we want inclusion to be the new norm, we also have some unlearning to do.
The ease with which an email can be sent, and the rush to move on to the next task, can be a dangerous combination. The result can be emails that fuel the fire rather than move the process forward.
My book, "LIES That Limit," makes it clear that mindset – what we believe, how we think – is everything. Mindset is the composite of our beliefs and assumptions – our theory about life, other people, even ourselves. We feel safe when we make choices consistent with our story about the way things are. Yet, following the dictates of conditioned thinking is limiting.
Whether you’re preparing for a product launch, sales presentation, an announcement about organizational changes or an important talk with your kids or significant other, use these simple tips to create a clear, compelling message that will make you more influential:
I enjoy ads and commercials. The good ones stick with me. I’m impacted by their images, sounds and words. The best ones have a dramatic tagline or slogan – a succinct, repeatable core message about the product or service that conveys the essence of what the company wants you to believe and remember. They’re designed to motivate you to act.
Have you ever received feedback and wondered, “Where on earth did that come from?” It seems so not like you, hard to believe, downright wrong. Of course, sometimes, feedback is based on misperception. And, at other times, it may be a precious gift you don’t want to accept.
Robin has a standing meeting, every Friday, from 3pm to 4pm. That hour is blocked on his calendar for the full year. Every once in a while, due to pressing matters, he has to change it. But, he doesn’t let it go. He moves to earlier in the day or week, or first thing the following week.
Speaking truth to power is important, and risky. Often, it’s hard to understand when and why speaking up might backfire. Harvard Business Review contributors Megan Reitz and John Higgins suggest asking yourself these questions before confronting someone above you.
Some leaders believe that because they manage their time well and prioritize with ease that doing so comes naturally to everyone. For these managers, any employee who procrastinates, misses deadlines or is disorganized is a source of frustration.
Overwhelming to-do lists are pretty common these days. There are lots suggested techniques for getting more done. These three, which I found in a Business.com article by Andrew Reiffenberger, are innovative.
Successful managers understand that they must adapt their leadership style to the situation at hand. In their book, Primal Leadership, Daniel Goleman, and his coauthors identify six effective and emotionally intelligent ways to lead. Two of them are the Pacesetting Leader and the Commanding Leader.
In their book, Primal Leadership, Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee identified six emotionally intelligent leadership styles that work in different situations. Two of them are the Visionary Leader and Coaching Leader.
In the book, Primal Leadership, Daniel Goleman and his coauthors describe six emotionally intelligent and effective leadership styles. Two of them are: The Affiliative Leader and the Democratic Leader.
Many people see volunteering as an act that benefits the people and programs they serve. But, ironically, what appears to be selfless giving has proven to be beneficial to the giver. Several research projects have shown that volunteers themselves exhibit improved psychological well-being as a result of donating their time and energy.
A researcher in Switzerland has proven something some of us already knew. Generous people are happier. Those who are concerned about the well-being of their fellow human are happier than those who focus only on their own advancement.
If your team of superstars is morphing into burned out zombies and productivity is waning, Eric Garton, co-author of “Time, Talent, Energy: Overcome Organizational Drag and Unleash Your Team’s Productive Power,” says look no further than your company culture.
Summer is the perfect time to add books on leadership to your reading list. Here are some of my favorite books for emerging and existing leaders.
Summer is a great time to catch up on recreational reading. But it’s also the perfect time to make progress toward life goals with books that nurture your inner coach. Here are a few of my favorites:
Maintaining a positive outlook can be difficult. But consciously choosing the focus on the positive can build resilience for difficult times. Harvard Medical School offers these three tips that will help you harness your positive psychology.
Great leaders create a culture in which success thrives. Inc.com contributor Marcel Schwantes recently shared the results of research that points to six behaviors that keep leaders from failing.
Author Joseph Chilton Pearce said, “To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.” By it’s very nature, creativity is about taking risks. But, think of the things we wouldn’t have today if someone didn’t step out onto the precipice of creative thinking.
Saying “no” can be difficult – even if it’s the right thing to do. WorkingMother.com contributor Renee Peterson Trudeau offers these eight ways to do the deed.
The best team members genuinely listen to one-another. Here’s a quick and simple 30-minute team-building exercise from Mindtools.com that will improve this critical interpersonal skill.
Mindtools.com says leaders and team members can both contribute to team dysfunction. Good group dynamics are critical to a team’s success, but if yours suffers from any of these 6 issues, you’ve got work to do.