Happy New Year! These moments when we mark transitions can be both helpful and not helpful.It's helpful to think about what I want more or and what I want less of in the New Year, but it's not helpful if I believe that somehow I'm going to be a different person.If we really want to change … [Read more...] about Just do you.
Scared and Scary
Awareness It isn't enough to simply be aware of how you feel in any given situation. If you are a leader (or a parent/teacher/mentor) then you ought to also be aware of how that feeling looks and feels to others.Does anger always look angry?Will happiness always look happy?Must fear … [Read more...] about Scared and Scary
Expectations (and wishing for bad luck)
The root of all heartache Shakespeare once wrote that "expectations are the root of all heartache" and I think he's right.For anyone who's been watching the recent news cycles on the new mutation for Covid, you've probably felt some strong emotions.If you expected this all along, you might … [Read more...] about Expectations (and wishing for bad luck)
Open your heart.
What if you could let more light in? Have you found yourself thinking negative thoughts about other people in the past few days?Is there someone out there who has pushed one of your buttons and gotten you agitated?If so, you may notice that your compassion gas-tank is low and your heart … [Read more...] about Open your heart.
Bring Your Whole Self.
What is my whole self? Actors often talk about bringing their whole selves to the stage, which means how we experience them while they are on the stage.Are they physically, emotionally, and intellectually present?Eugenio Barba developed a unique program in Denmark for Odin Teatret that was … [Read more...] about Bring Your Whole Self.
“You’re crazy if you think that” (and other nonsense).
How do you push back against someone else's criticism of something you love and appreciate?Do you tell them that they're "crazy"? You're not alone. Back in May, I listened to a podcast conversation between Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Grant wherein they discuss Adam's new book Think Again. (I'm … [Read more...] about “You’re crazy if you think that” (and other nonsense).
What does it mean to listen?
"Close listening occurs when we're fully engaged in the here and now" -Steven Kottler I help people find ways to communicate their ideas and their strategic perspectives clearly, simply and persuasively. There are many important elements to making your points sound persuasive to another party, but … [Read more...] about What does it mean to listen?
When We Get Hooked
Have you ever been in a conversation and felt like you have suddenly become completely hooked?I don't mean in a good way, rather in a way that you and another person are locked in some kind of emotional conflict that is difficult to pinpoint and harder even to break.Sometimes it is because … [Read more...] about When We Get Hooked
Ever Feel Like You’re Faking It?
In 2015 Harvard Business Review published a survey that explained how modern CEOs struggle with "imposter syndrome" and that they fear "that they don't know what they're doing and the world will find out." Sound at all familiar?If you are someone running a startup or a small business, that fear … [Read more...] about Ever Feel Like You’re Faking It?
Leadership Presence for Women: Communicate Your Value
Have you had one or more of the following experiences when talking in a group setting at work?Told that you are being too aggressive. Told that you need to speak with more authority. Interrupted or disregarded in a meeting. Felt shut out of the conversation.What does it take to project … [Read more...] about Leadership Presence for Women: Communicate Your Value
Collaboration Versus Cooperation
Lately I have been thinking a lot about the difference between collaboration and cooperation as it pertains to teamwork and collective excellence.First of all, what is collaboration anyways?Wikipedia defines collaboration as occurring "when two or more people or organizations work together … [Read more...] about Collaboration Versus Cooperation