
Advising vs. Coaching: Need A Solution? Stop Giving Advice.
It’s hard to resist giving advice isn’t it? We all do it whether it’s solicited… or not. When we feel sympathy or frustration with another person’s dilemma it pulls at our heartstrings. Of course, the human thing to do is to try to solve their dilemma for them. We try...
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How to Open the Window to Genuine Conversations in A Group
She looked at me quizzically and said: “What a breath of fresh air! The conversation we just had, you know.” “What did you like about the conversation?” I asked. “Well, we don’t usually speak like this at work. Straight talk about what we really think and even feel...
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How To Ask Better Questions by Switching From ‘Why’ To ‘What’ (And Why it’s Important)
At lunchtime one day, I bumped into two managers who are also friends of mine. An impromptu conversation started with one of them about her longstanding intention of writing a book. Although this was a goal near and dear to her heart, she hadn’t been able to start. I...
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12 Signs that it’s More Than Time to Have A Genuine Conversation
There’s no denying that genuine conversations are hard to have. But they just don’t get easier when you keep putting them off. In fact, they get harder and harder by the minute. We all have conversations that should be happening in our life, but aren’t. Sometimes we...
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3 crucial steps to preparing for a difficult conversation
We know that difficult conversation; the one that never actually happens, but desperately needs to. The conversation we needed to have but didn’t, about what each of us want from an upcoming holiday, a project, or a relationship. In fact, hard conversations actually...
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The Secret Ingredient for Making Genuine Life Decisions
Is it the pace we set for ourselves that provides precious little time to think? Maybe it’s the pressure we feel to say “yes” to every opportunity that comes our way. After all, isn’t it great to be needed? A good friend of mine was recently facing this dilemma. A...
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The Human Ingredient in Change
Picture this: There are 30 people in the room. Leaders have put aside 90 minutes to engage in a conversation about working together more effectively, post business transformation. The focus is on getting things done in collaboration with: Other members of the team A...
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Preparing for Feedback!
The following three scenarios may sound familiar….. That creative type: I thought I was ready. I carefully noted the main points I wanted to make about that one key area for improvement. This employee had the right attitude and brought high energy to the team. Her...
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Fear of Flying
Some of my clients are twenty-something. They call me on their smart phones as they wait in line for their mochaccino with soy milk. Their need is invariably urgent! And when I can, I indulge in ‘laser’ coaching sessions of 15 minutes to fit their youthful attention...
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