Both at work and in life, we always have opportunities to share our suggestions and ideas. Sometimes those conversations are easy, and sometimes we face resistance. When that happens, conversations get derailed and we spend a lot of energy convincing someone to see...
It can be hard when you want to have more of a conversation, and the person you're with isn't talking. They might be naturally quiet, or their brain might be too stressed or overwhelmed to think clearly. In either case, there’s a missed opportunity for sharing ideas....
Complaining is a usual part of life. We complain to others; our colleagues complain to us; and we might have a running commentary of complaints as part of our self-talk. The trouble with complaining, though, is that it keeps our thinking stuck and can prevent us from...
When we live and work closely with others, we think we know exactly what they’re going to say, how they’re approaching something, and how they see the world. The truth, though, is that we don’t. Making assumptions prevents curiosity and a deeper understanding of...
Most of us go through our days feeling tense and worried. We worry about others, and we worry about ourselves. The trouble with so much worry is that it keeps our thinking stuck and limited, and prevents us from seeing possibility. And if we want different things in...
When we’re working toward personal and professional goals that matter to us, it’s helpful to pause periodically to reflect on where we’ve been putting our energies so that we can be sure we’re moving in the right direction. Too often, though, we forget to or...
Feedback is a helpful part of professional development; it illuminates our strengths and growth opportunities. Yet, receiving feedback – especially 360 feedback from our manager, peers, and direct reports – can be daunting and overwhelming. It can send our brain to a...
Meetings are an opportunity to show leadership presence, build relationships, collaborate, and align around action. Too often, though, people just show up to a meeting without any intention or preparation. That’s disrespecting others’ time and the meeting’s value....
When we sense that the people we are talking with feel unclear or uncertain, we want to be supportive. We want them to feel clear, confident, and empowered. The way to to do this is not by telling; it's by asking questions. Helping others feel empowered in the moment...
