When we interact quickly or superficially with people, we have little influence and make little impact. But when we take the time to get to know them and build a relationship, we build trust and can have significant influence. “With people, fast is slow and slow is fast,” observes Stephen M. R. Covey. A combination of feedback and encouragement, in the context of open and honest discussion, can make a big difference in the lives of those you work with and the business’s bottom line.
Read MoreAn April NPR story ”How Do You Stay Optimistic in Spite of it All” invited listeners to submit perspectives. I sent: “It is easy to get swept up in the doom and gloom which permeates the media and online environment. Escaping from a victim mentality starts with gratitude. A second key step is infusing life with meaning and purpose.” What helps keep you optimistic in these challenging times?
Read MoreWhile leadership development has been a longtime passion, Growing Leadership LLC was formally created just five years ago on March 26, 2018 -- so happy birthday! But, what does it mean to grow leadership? My thinking is that it embraces two core ideas. First is the internal perspective: as leaders we must never stop growing.
Read MoreThree key aspects stand out for implementing big life changes: a clear vision, sound planning, and discipline to successfully execute. Being clear what you want to achieve (and why you want to do it) is essential and also very helpful when the going gets tough, as it invariably will. What changes are you resisting that could make your life better? Start with articulating a vision of what you want to achieve and why you want to do it.
Read MoreI have written about the importance of embracing change and am getting a big dose of my own medicine. After 36 years in the same house, my wife and I are moving and struggling to reorganize and throw out many possessions that have accumulated over many years. I am working to keep my eye on the prize, even as I struggle through all the endless tasks. What changes are you resisting that could make your life better?
Read MoreIt seems like conversations these days are as a difficult as ever. Whether with family members, work colleagues, employees, or strangers, the ability to have a productive discussion on any topic where there might be disagreement is invariably fraught. This is especially true when the subject veers into politics. These are three key skills to apply to difficult conversations. . .
Read MoreAccording to the Harvard Medical School, resilience and positively coping with stress have many health benefits including longevity, lower rates of depression, and greater life satisfaction. How do you manage when facing unexpected setbacks in life or work? Are you clear about the goals and principles that guide your life that will help overcome adversity? Consider what steps you can take to clarify your life goals and up your resiliency game.
Read MoreAre you clear about what is most important to you in life and work? Make a list of your top values and goals, then ponder how much your day-to-day activities support these goals. Consider what you could change and list three specific actions to move in that direction. Aside from the benefits of making sound decisions, having clear goals and priorities fosters resilience, defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
Read MoreResearch indicates that at least 50% of the US workforce are psychologically detached from their work and not giving their maximum effort. A key reason is ineffective leadership -- bosses who fail to engage, inspire, and manage their direct reports. The most successful managers take time to get know their employees as people, too. Benjamin Franklin once observed, “No one cares what you know until they know that you care!”
Read MoreIt is awfully easy to fall into a funk of despair when you consider workplace dissatisfaction on top of problems like political polarization. But, as one commentator observed, being human is holding on to hope and despair at the same time. Engagement and hope are connected, too. So, change is on us – if we don’t like what we see, it is our responsibility to act.
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