What Keeps You Engaged?
What is the impact when you discover that what keeps you energized is out of alignment with your company’s priorities? Do you attempt to force fit? Stick around and stew in your frustration? (Not recommended) Or do you try to influence the culture? Over the last several weeks I’ve been coaching an executive who, on […]
Self-Compassion: The Leadership Superpower
Self-compassion is about focusing on strengths, bouncing back after a mistake, and owning your accomplishments. It is about focusing on the facts, setting realistic expectations, projecting confidence, and celebrating the wins. Why is “self-compassion” even included on this 360 assessment? This question came from a client who, across the board, scored herself shockingly low on […]
The Unexpected Gifts from Toxic Leaders
When you flip the script on the impact of a terrible management experience into an empowering story, you steal its negative energy. Instead, you re-create it into a leadership lesson, and it transforms into a gift.
Stop (Over) Apologizing
Over-apologizing can make you look less confident. Is that how you want to be perceived? How often do you find yourself “reflex” apologizing for things that don’t warrant an apology at all? When is the last time you found yourself using phrases like, “Sorry I have to miss the meeting” or “Sorry for the delayed response” or, “Sorry if this […]
The Leadership School of Life
My call to action for you: Stand in the truth of your own story and listen to what your life experience is telling you. Demand the credit you deserve, both from others and from yourself. How often do we give ourselves enough credit for the lessons we’ve learned through simply living? Through learning to pay […]
No, You Are Not Indispensable
My call to action for you: Stand in the truth of your own story and listen to what your life experience is telling you. Demand the credit you deserve, both from others and from yourself. How often do we give ourselves enough credit for the lessons we’ve learned through simply living? Through learning to pay […]
Everyone Is in Charge, But No One Is Accountable
What tools do you, as a leader, employ to ensure clarity, direction, and accountability? You’ve probably heard the phrase: Too many chefs in the kitchen, not enough cooks. But what does it really mean? Earlier this week I observed an interesting group strategic planning discussion. Throughout the meeting every leader in the room raised their hand as […]
To Be A Leader, You Must Lead Yourself First
Leaders – especially good leaders – aren’t sprinkled with magic “leadership fairy dust”. Leadership is a mindset. Not a title. Let’s be real. Having a leadership title or role does not immediately make you a leader. It certainly doesn’t transform you into a “great” leader, or even a good or mediocre leader. Why not? Because […]
A Leadership Turnaround Recipe
It is a true joy to read about a leader who models influential leadership, utilizes the tools and resources available with purpose and patience, all while embracing his company’s culture of being both tough minded and tenderhearted. A recent client company of mine was in “a pickle” (that might be a midwestern colloquialism) and brought […]
The Leadership Value of Candor vs. (Toxic) Positivity
Is positivity – the ability to convince your team everything is OK – an essential trait for all leaders? I respectfully disagree that it is, and actually consider it to be quietly, dangerously, corrosive. Shouldn’t we instead value candid, authentic, realistic leadership? Earlier this week I saw a much shared and “liked” quote posted on […]