Do You Have A Couple Of Minutes

At some time, we've probably heard someone say, "I never thought of it that way" or "I never looked at it like that."  Within those few words, we begin to understand the importance of experience and the diversity of that experience.  Diversity of experience can help to keep us safe, it can help to enrich our own experience, it can provide a springboard for new opportunities, it can help...

About last night...yes, I'm talking about the assault and violence that took place at the 2022 Oscars.  And whether you side with defending the action as one of defense and honor, the fact is that there was some physical assault. Preceding the physical assault, there was some history and a joke that might also be perceived as a verbal and mental assault given the circumstances.  So, once...

Sometimes we say things that don't add up.  For example, when we require discretionary effort.  If there is discretion in whether or not the effort is applied, does it reason that discretion is really being exercised if the effort being exerted is required?  If there is no real decision or the decision comes with an imposed consequence, that doesn't seem to meet the standard of "dis...

When it comes to organizations and relationships, it's important to do the work behind getting the culture right in order to support the outcomes that we desire.  When we try to replicate the outcome without understanding the support system, values, and philosophies behind that outcome, it may be not only difficult to replicate but difficult to maintain for the positive impact that is desired...

Rewarding what we want to be repeated is a great idea, but is it what we really do?  Do we reward the perseverance extended to get to success or do we reward success without regard of how the arrival took place?  Do we reward virtues of courage, risktaking, and courage?  Do we reward great leadership or do we give accolades to a tyrant?  Do we take time to dwell on the preferre...

In our busy world, there are a lot of "Check-ins" that allow us to check the box that we have been here or there.  But what about not being driven by FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and instead allowing ourselves to truly be present, to show up, to connect - being seen and seeing others.  Or event to enjoy a present moment with ourselves. Belonging, Relationship, even truly understanding who...

Professor Dr. Lewis R. Aiken shared a gem of wisdom one class session: "No one cares as much about your business as you do." There are two perspectives to this statement, one being that we must check our egos because the world does not revolve around us, and the other being that we should mind our lives because we are the ones living them and so should take care. Scott Smith, the creative genius b...

Coaches help to hone potential.  Coaches help identify and uncover talent. 

Believe in yourself and Help others to do the same.  Maybe this is a bit easier said than done.  However, when we believe in ourselves we can muster the courage to try new things and progress toward our goals.  True confidence is not puffed up or conceited, it is based in truth and belief that we can impact our experience and destiny.  So many times people see things in us that...

The Book entitled The Four Agreements had a huge impact on me.  One of the Agreements is to Be Impeccable with Your Word.  This reminds us that words are power and are important.  Words can encourage and they can discourage, they can hurt and they can heal.  We must use our words intentionally and carefully.

There have been and continue to be lots of lessons from the pandemic.  The business community is talking about the Great Recession, that perhaps might well be called the Great Reckoning.  The pandemic again reminded us that many things are not only out of our control, they can change quickly, and seemingly change forever.  The discomfort of change can come alongside the opportunity...

True Apologies focus on what occurred, acknowledge how what happened impacted others, and confirm learning has taken place that has or will result in changed behavior for the better. 

When I began my career in HR almost 30 years ago, it used to bug me when people called the company a family, unless it was a family owned business.  In my mind family had a much stronger bond than a company.  Perhaps starting your career in an era where downsizing seemed to be a norm, had a little something to do with my perspective, as well as being part of "families" that exemplified c...

Obstacles can be a pathway to success and fulfillment - if we allow them to.  Perspective matters.

It's OK to ask why and I think we should ask why about overtime. I am not against overtime, but I think it should be understood. Is overtime necessary because there is no other time to get the work done?  Is overtime necessary because of poor planning, such as promising more than we can reasonably deliver,  Perhaps, the overtime was planned in order to do more, deliver more in fewer days...

We sometimes impose limits on ourselves by allowing F.E.A.R. (False Expectations Appearing Real) and Comparison creeping in.  We all have unique gifts to offer based on our unique perspectives and experience.  Ultimately the fulness of who we can become is a measure of realizing our true selves, not a comparison to anyone else.

We've long heard the phrase consider the source.  Perhaps that unintentionally results in source bias.  Do we discount valuable content because it does not come from a known or elite source.  Perhaps in an age where technology allows for analysis in the blink of an eye, we should focus on the content and more critically evaluate the information we received.  Can we really affor...

We must operate from a place of sincerity and truth, that will impact our influence and our path forward.

Returning to the Office is a big topic of discussion for many.  The pandemic has given us some new perspective and some time to think about how we can manage our lives to our greatest potential.  Many have taken their commute times to create changed routines that have been helpful in bringing greater fulfillment to life.  Some have really missed the camaraderie of an office or the w...

We are always talking to ourselves as our mind is constantly working.  We must be kind to ourselves and give ourselves grace.  What we say to ourselves matters.  We have the ability to treat ourselves positively.  We must be honest with ourselves, it is our path to personal growth..

There is a lot of talk about burnout these days.  Perhaps there may be a time or times when we must make the sacrifice to give it our all.  However, maybe being intentional about giving our best is the goal that allows us to keep making progress and to best serve others while taking care for ourselves.  Why not take a stance of giving your best?  Sure, circumstances can vary wh...

One is Powerful - we must not discount the power that one can have to influence and impact. One small word, one interaction, one dream.  One begins a ripple effect. One choice, one action can have huge impact.

Empathy is a valuable skill for business and personal life.  Empathy is benefited by the skills of being present and active listening which aid in understanding and relating in an effective and beneficial manner. Practice empathy by exercising intentional and compassionate presence alongside engaged active listening. 

Today we talk about a poem by Mother Theresa entitled Do It Anyway.  In brief, we must have intrinsic motivation to do the right thing in all circumstances.  Doing the right thing is not about getting recognition or accolade, it si about doing the right thing because it is the best thing form everyone.

Feedback focuses on the past, but what helps us reach the ideal state is focuses on what it looks like and where we are going.  Providing feedforward can help people practice in reference to the future desired state instead of living in the context of avoidance.  Try feedforward.