While working with a client doing annual planning, we embarked on a robust conversation about culture. The company will be 100 years old in just a few years and the leadership team has a commitment to excellence befitting its century strong legacy bears. One of the team members offered a great question to measure culture… View Article
A goal is not enough. It’s important, but it won’t motivate you on a day when things are tough. How do you find your mojo if you really want to attain something, and your mood just isn’t supporting you? You can use external means: You can shift your internal dialog by asking questions like these:… View Article
Living in Minnesota is a wonderful thing…and it’s got interesting twists as well – and I’m not talking about the weather! People are not as direct in communication here, which can be a challenge. While delivering a keynote about team health, we were discussing the need for healthy conflict. One leader questioned me and asked… View Article
Sometimes we forget the meaning and importance behind what we’re doing, and things erode from there. It can be as simple as preparing for a meeting. When I remind the leaders I work with about the facts – what it costs them to host a meeting with their leadership team for an hour or an… View Article
Whenever I find myself triggered by an event, I know there’s learning available for me. If I bypass the opportunity to evaluate my reaction, I become a victim of whatever happened and can guarantee the next time a similar event occurs, I’ll react again – only it will be stronger and more automatic. If I’m… View Article
Reframing your language is more than putting a “positive spin” on your language and thinking. It’s about redirecting energy. When you focus on something being difficult, bad, sad, or a problem, you’re essentially saying your circumstances are the way they are, will be, and you can’t do anything about it. This leads to being stuck. … View Article
Have you ever talked yourself out of something due to the thought of the work associated with doing it? Think of deadlines, new projects, behavioral changes or physical activity – working out. Your brain can rationalize away every benefit of beginning or doing the task before you begin. You will tell yourself a thousand stories… View Article
What happens when you have something important, pressing, vital or interesting you are eager to share with someone and they don’t really pay attention? Even worse, what happens when they hear you, play along and seem to be with you, but they’re not? You know the drill, when someone is there, making eye contact, seemingly… View Article
Transitions. For most of us, they are challenging. Challenging in the best and worst sense of the word. Challenging us to become who we need to be, while letting go of who we currently know ourselves as. Challenging because in doing so, we must let go of the predictable and familiar, where comfort resides. Adventure… View Article
Have you ever been stuck approaching a challenging conversation? You know the kind, it’s one you’d rather put off than have, could be personal or professional, but it’s one you play over and over in your head to rehearse before approaching it. Me too! What works? Here are 5 ways to make it easier:
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Communication Catalyzer Bundle: Winning Strategies for Stress-Free Communication