A member of a client team gave me a book as a gift. The book is The Meaning Revolution by Fred Kofman. It’s very good, and I’m likely to write more about its insights in the months to come, but … Read More
If you have ever seen the TV show The Office (U.S. version), you’re likely aware that Oscar Martinez is the office know-it-all. In fact, his coworkers gave him a nickname that conveys this particular trait: Actually. He get this moniker … Read More
If you’ve been following for a while, you’ll notice that this blog is loaded with lists. That’s because hard-working people respond well to quick and actionable ideas and tools. Something else that you may have noticed is that I’m usually … Read More
Some people think the U.S. is headed for an economic downturn, and I know some managers who are bracing for that potential storm. Samir runs a boutique marketing firm that promises clean and consistent brand development and graphic design. Ellyn … Read More
Recently I worked with an executive team on how to be more productive and candid during disagreements. We had a deep conversation about productive and healthy conflict. Then, using that discussion, we examined the data measuring their teamwork behaviors. Nearly … Read More
As a political junkie, I’ve been watching political coverage on news outlets lately. There are three words/phrases I’ve heard repetatively that I worry might creep into workplace discussions. They are: Let me be clear Look Listen All three of these … Read More
I really appreciate—and have totally used—Brené Brown’s tools. You can find downloadables on her website. Brené Brown recommends the following phrases to push vulnerable and trusting conversations forward: “The story I make up…” Often, we have an experience and don’t … Read More
We often use the words shame and guilt interchangeably, but this causes problems. If we avoid tough conversations in order to save someone from shame, what we actually might be doing is avoiding important information that simply makes someone feel … Read More
I wrote a post back in 2015 that talked about leaders not saying “busy.” The word itself is so commonplace in our every day lives that we say it without thinking about it or considering its meaning. But the word … Read More
Last week, we talked about numbing as a way of putting on armor. Brené Brown points out that sarcasm, cynicism, and passive-aggressive behaviors are another way to stay distant and avoid vulnerability. The solution is to avoid those three things, … Read More