Soul Boss

Are you juggling so many projects that finishing seems elusive? You either don’t finish a project, don’t finish on time, or don’t finish with the quality you want. The answer to that problem is to use batch time, but for maximum results, batch time requires a plan. Click to hear four practical examples of how you can back up your big What with a few clear-cut How tactics. Create quality results an...

Labor Day has come and gone, so it’s official: Recess is over and it’s time to get back to work! If your in-box is anything like mine, you may be juggling deadlines as fast as you can, and tempers could be flaring. The answer is to draw on the soft skill of smart choices. Click to hear about three important mails that always backfire. Learn how to hit pause before you hit send!

Do you want to pursue a goal but feel like you may have bitten off more than you can chew? Learn how to stop trying to shame, guilt or push yourself into success. Change forcing into actions that are a force multiplier!

If someone asked you right now how you invest in your wellbeing, could you tell them? Self-care success is a two-step process: Know what you need to feel good, then ask for it! Click to hear how singer Alicia Keys decided to say no to no breaks.

Is there something you thought you had to have six months ago that no longer makes sense? Is there a mindset that looked good from the outside that secretly threw you out of balance or made you miserable? Click to learn 5 ways you can stop striving and say no to worn-out ideas. Start adjusting for the new you—the healthier, happier, simpler you.

Is your commitment toggle is automatically set to “yes”? Start reclaiming your day by setting intentions. Think of them as guideposts—when sudden commitments occur, compare them to the priorities you’ve already made. Then, use the soft skill of discernment to decide whether to say an immediate yes, postpone for the moment, or decline. Click to learn 5 questions to ask when you feel pressured to sa...

We may still be in a pandemic, but the dog days of Summer are just like Friday afternoons—they’re the same the world over. But do you find it hard to back off on your commitments, even when long, sunny days are calling? There are plenty of good reasons to say “no”—you just need to understand how to spot them and say no to reclaim your day. Click to hear how you can use your natural creativity to c...

Has the pandemic made you more kind or sensitive to others? That’s a key quality Mr. Rogers consistently used in his communication style—empathy! But do you find it tough to show people compassion because you’re unsure if you’re going overboard or embarrassing them or yourself, especially in work settings? Click to learn five ways to say, “I care.”

Do you ever get tongue-tied searching for the right response when someone is rushing you? You can bridge the gap by using qualities Mr. Rogers relied on, like being fair, curious, and respectful. Click to hear the story of Eliza who used the soft skill of discernment to slow down her hurricane of a boss. When hitting the pause button seems awkward and unmanageable, you’ll have five to say, “Let’s...

Are you stumped about what to say when your colleagues, friends, and family want to tell the tale of their no-good day? Do you jump into positivity and encouragement, hoping to dissolve the trouble? Click to hear five ways you can provide meaningful, healthy support the next time you’re caught in an awkward conversation. Empower yourself with clear, honest, and tactful responses—yes, it’s possible...

Right now, everyone is being encouraged to learn and grow, but are you feeling worn out? Examining and changing old patterns and beliefs are a real-time demonstration of how to use the soft skill of adaptability. However, you might stop yourself due to worries about being embarrassed or seeming indecisive. But here’s the good news: Changing your mind and maintaining your dignity can co-exist. Clic...

My work in-box was a wreck. My personal mail wasn’t much better. Not because I was crazy busy, but because I kept thinking I’d read or file all those mails later. Guess what? “Later” has arrived, and it doesn’t look anything like I thought it would! The same thing could be said for the pandemic. When quarantine life started, many people thought of it as a snow day—we’d hit pause and pick up where...

Has your social media feed been filled with videos of bad behavior? Me, too! Every time I see a clip, I think, Man is that person in the soup! meaning they’re lost in a jumble of out of control feelings. Everyone’s emotions run hot or cold depending on the issue, and you have a right to your feelings. But the trouble starts when feelings abruptly boil over, which is especially common when you’re u...

Has distance from your old routine given you a new perspective? Have you accidentally fallen into the role of spectator, going along with someone else’s blueprint for your life? Act on that insight and switch from a spectator to a participator. Use the soft skill of creativity to spark ideas about changes that will make you feel whole, healthy and complete. Click to hear the story of violinist Nad...

Getting in front of a new normal may start with some discomfort. There may even be days when you want to quit. But remember that stretching into new territory is an automatic force multiplier, where you help others. Click to listen to today’s podcast about how change is possible, but it takes commitment.

Have you ever mixed up motion and action? If you’re tempted to direct traffic, remember that trying to control the outcome is like standing in the middle of a busy highway. In the past, power was often construed as making a plan and then sticking to it. However, true strength acknowledges the unknown. It says, “I may not know or can control what’s coming next, but I’m going to be OK. I believe in...

Our old bag of tricks—chasing money and external validation while we push and shove our way through the world—won’t work for the new normal. What will work is changing your focus from booking the next killer vacation or plowing through your in-box to forging heartfelt partnerships. Listen to the story of Asra, who’s taking a hard look at her long habit of playing the superhero. Build the depth of...

Right now, quarantine life may have you feeling like a rambunctious toddler who has taken a tumble—head over heels and trying to get your bearings. But that’s the time to use Technique #6, “Blaze the Trail,” from my bestseller, Genuine Power—7 Techniques to Be Powerful in a Loud, Complicated World. If you’ve ever felt conflicted about being powerful, take comfort. You can take responsibility for y...

Has quarantine life knocked the wind out of you? Reignite your personal power by making smart choices about how to manage your valuable time and energy. Don't deplete your power bank—control the burn!

Quarantine life has shown what works and what needs to go. Learn how to use adaptability and creativity to make the cut. When you use soft skills to make hard choices, you can manage Life’s surprises like a boss!

Crisis has taught me a powerful lesson: Self-care is mandatory to keeping your life together. Time’s up on the push, push, push days of multi-tasking—thank heavens! The coronavirus (or any crisis you’re facing) requires learning how to support your mental, emotional, and physical selves. And not just when you have the time. All the time. You may be a pro at little acts of random kindness for other...

Do you know how to check yourself so your walk matches your talk? Learn how to use discernment to build an accountability self-check tool. Course correct less-than moments in real-time.

My friend Lucy has been close with her neighbors ever since they arrived seven years ago. So, imagine how surprised I was to hear that they were caught in a major throwdown about the quarantine with their favorite neighbors—on social media, no less. Listen to how Lucy turned to the soft skill of empathy and learned the distinction between a bad moment and a bad neighbor. Like Lucy, decide that you...

Frustrations and irritations happen to everyone. Before you know it, living your best life went out the window and you became the person you never wanted to be. But you can avoid that trap by using soft skills. Name your upset before you’re in the middle of a meltdown.

Have you every counted to ten time and time again, and you're still ready to blow? Here's the bad news: You've probably waited too long to say something. But you can correct that mistake in the future with a straightforward technique: Skip The Big Talk. The problem with continually avoiding small problems is that you often wind up with a too-much-pressure, winner takes all Big Talk. So, use the so...