The Biggest Difference You Can Make
Next month, my grandson Liam, will turn two. In the last 23 months, he has undergone an incredible transformation. He looks, sounds, acts like a completely different human being than the little bundle of flesh and blanket I held in my arms the day he was born. His language skills are coming on line and…
Read More10 Ways To Say No Gracefully
Saying no with authority and grace is a lost art in leadership. It can lead to better results, better decisions and an improved quality of life. It also goes hand-in-hand with two other vital leadership skills – focus and discernment. Few of us do it well. If you struggle with saying no, here are 10…
Read More10 Simple Habits to Renew Your Energy and Enhance Your Performance
My personal journey to a balanced and healthy lifestyle is a work in progress. Case in point: It’s the weekend and I have a Neo-citron in one hand and a tissue in the other. Having contracted a second miserable cold this season, I’m finally clueing in that my body is trying to get my attention.…
Read MoreThe Gift of Grace
I have a black and white framed photo of Nelson Mandela hanging in my office. If I imagined what the state of grace looks like, it would be that. The photo, purportedly taken the day he was released from prison, is spellbinding. His eyes are closed, his lips are open in a peaceful smile and…
Read MoreOne thing you can do to transform your leadership
If you asked me, what ONE THING could I do that would make me a better leader? I wouldn’t hesitate. This one thing can be learned in an instant, can be practiced easily every day and takes a lifetime to master. With conscious practice, this one skill can build self-awareness, improve your relationships and grow…
Read MoreHuman Beings or Human Doings?
Somewhere along the way in my journey to becoming a coach I remember reading the phrase “we are human beings, not human doings.” The author was making the point that as leaders we sometimes tend to focus solely on results and getting things done – the doing part of contributing to the systems we serve. And consequently,…
Read MoreDo we need to change the way we think about leadership?
It was a demoralizing set back. Olivia (not her real name) had poured herself into the most challenging project of her career – a massive corporate growth initiative that, if successful, would alter the trajectory of her organization. It was high risk, high pressure and high profile. By all accounts, the first critical phase was…
Read MoreWhy You Can’t Lead From the Neck Up
A client of mine was once chastised by her boss for shedding tears at a farewell gathering for one of her peers. They were standing together listening to their colleague’s farewell speech. As tears began to trickle down her face, he quickly ushered her into an adjoining room. He was irate. “Pull yourself together! You…
Read MoreUnexpected Light
“When it is dark enough you can see the stars.” ~Ralph Waldo Emmerson It’s amazing how a tragedy can crystalize our thinking or galvanize us: a call for peace in the days that followed the Paris bombings, a desire to respond to the plight of Syrian refugees, kindness in response to the death of a…
Read MoreThe Worst Leadership Advice I Ever Received
Very early in my career, I got some really bad advice. More than one well-meaning mentor told me that no one in business wants to hear the word no. “If you really want to succeed, be a ‘can do’ person, not a ‘can’t do’ person. People who get ahead are people who know how to…
Read More