Many leaders still believe workplace humility is a detriment, not an advantage. Authority, power and even intimidation are best to run organizations and achieve results. Perhaps this is based on a misunderstanding of true humility: a desire to serve and dedication to bettering others. If you wonder about your own leadership, start by assessing your…
Have you had an unfortunate response to disappointment? I wouldn’t be surprised. We’re hard-wired to respond to stimuli with feelings first and analysis second. When we act on our emotions, before we allow time to think, we respond unfavorably to disappointment. Unfortunately, emotionally driven types of responses are common for some leaders, according to leadership…
How are you dealing with disappointment? Leading in today’s competitive business market requires thinking and reaching beyond the norm. It requires leaders that give and gather the best: intellect, passion and commitment. Leaders know that they can’t achieve desired results without the engagement of others. We require vendors to fulfill contracts as agreed. We need…
With the impact of the Coronavirus and so many people “sheltering in place” for weeks, maybe months to come, balancing work and home in new ways is paramount for leaders forging a new normal for the time being. So many of us – yours truly included – grapple with striking a balance between work and all the other joys life has to offer. Here’s the common thread from the leaders I’ve talked with: our balance gets thrown off because we have this notion that we can’t be fully human at work. Personable, yes – but showing our messy edges? Nope. Here are three things you can do now to find work-life balance in times of crisis – and continue raising your leadership bar.
In a time when leaders are busier than ever and have no energy to spare, how do they raise their leadership bar? I’ve been writing about this in recent posts. The third step in learning to Raise Your Leadership Bar is to be more intentional. In Leading with Emotional Courage: How to Have Hard Conversations,…
Clarity is the ability to see things as they are with an accurate perception and understanding. It’s a freedom from uncertainty or confusion. It’s the skill to grasp fundamental truths and distinguish false alternatives. Clarity of mind stands as a basic framework to hang other usable skills, and successful leaders learn how to find it….
Humans learn to sift and sort at any early age. We learn coping methods to drown out distracting movements and sounds. In the process, we often develop the habit of selective listening. As a result, we often miss important cues, or even direct communication. While the art of listening is not taught in traditional MBA…
As counter-intuitive as it may appear, the art of listening actually begins with self-awareness. Self-aware people understand what motivates them and their decision-making. They recognize their feelings (as they happen) and how they affect their thoughts. They understand their strengths and weaknesses. Self-aware people understand their proclivity to bias and blind spots. How? I like…
Mastering the art of listening is beneficial to everyone. It allows leaders to identify opportunities, innovate, and increase profitability. It strengthens relationships, builds better teams, and bridges gaps. So why aren’t we listening? When this topic comes up with my coaching clients, I point out three common reasons. First, consider our incredible brain capacity. The…
Is your organization causing workplace related mental illness? You might be surprised by the answer. I recently read a report published by the UK Government about mental health conditions, work and the workplace. According to researchers they commissioned, the most common mental health problems—anxiety and depression—can be caused by work-related issues. In my work as…