In our time of accelerated technological growth, it seems we’ve come to prize innovation above almost everything else, even in non-technological realms. I was recently reminded that striking a balance between bold innovation and existing wisdom is essential for organizational changes to succeed. This helpful reminder came to me at a community meeting, where we …
Leadership
Can We Use the Mirror Effect to Become Beacons? It’s become a common understanding that if someone, or their behaviour, is unreasonably irritating to you, you’re experiencing what’s known as the Mirror Effect. This is the idea that we are disproportionately irritated by the behaviours in others that we most dislike in ourselves. …
I got a call recently that shook me up a bit and made me understand what many of my clients go through. I must admit that I’m not that easily shaken. For two decades, I’ve worked across the country and in many places abroad with fascinating people in circumstances I would never have imagined possible. …
An assistant quietly walks over to his boss whispering a message in her ear. The leader abruptly gets up and leaves the room in the middle of a crucial discussion. A cell phone rings. For whatever reason, it needs to be answered while an employee is courageously bringing up issues vital to the team’s success. …
Q & A: How Willing Are You To Close The Door To Outside Distractions? Read More »
With disbelief, I read and re-read something I wrote way too fast, frustration peppering my words, the ‘send’ key pressed too soon. I wasn’t proud of that e-mail, knowing I could have used a different turn of phrase, given the benefit of the doubt, rather than having jumped to conclusions. Not good. What made it worse …
Determined to compete for a position that no one thought she should even consider, she was going for it anyway. Before making that jump though, a little soul searching was in order. Admittedly, her opinion of her current boss and their work relationship was less than flattering. She wore her anger on her sleeve and …
I hear it often from clients: “Is there anything you can do to stop the complaining and venting that consumes so much energy at the team meetings?” “Can’t people just move on?” I totally understand the frustration leaders have with their team in times of change. As a coach, I also know that folks have to …
Managers often talk to me about that certain person on the team; the one who keeps holding up the process. The typical scenario goes something like this: Manager: We have regular meetings in my office. Every time I bring up the report he hasn’t finished, his answer usually is: “I’m working on it. A bit …
When An Individual Holds Up The Process: 3 Parts to Breaking Down the Problem Read More »
As the old adage goes: The only silly question is the one you don’t ask. Why? Because your question is also percolating in someone else’s head, and by voicing it not only are you expressing your concern, but you are encouraging someone else to express theirs. With this in mind, I wanted to share with you …
Q and A: How Do You Have A Genuine Conversation When You Don’t Feel Safe? Read More »
I remember my relief when hearing the words “Good Enough!” from a boss a long time ago. Previous bosses were often asking for more, getting upset when the product was delivered with minor errors, even when an impossible deadline was met. Ahhhhh! To err is human. What a relief to hear a leader acknowledge a …
“It’s Good Enough”: A Valuable Lesson In Leadership Read More »