Growing up in my town, we were often on the lookout for thieves who would take your bike, grill, tires, or just about anything. But we need to be aware of a different type of thief in our lives and organizations, the energy thief. Here are eight signs that you may have someone tapping into your emotional energy and zapping your joy - without your permission.
Read moreLooking to Hire “Good People”? You May Want to Re-Think Your Expectations
One of the most common phrases we hear is “I can’t find anyone to hire!” Everyone wants “the best,” but there are only so many “bests” to go around. Here's why most employers can't find what they are looking for and three things they should keep in mind during the hiring process.
Read moreWant to Influence Others? Touch the Heart. Here’s How.
Jack Hanna, the “animal guy,” has been known for the phrase: “You have to touch the heart to teach the mind.” And this is also true for leadership. If you want to influence those around you, you have to make deep personal connections. Here are 7 ways to do so.
Read moreCandor: How to Balance Truth with Care [VIDEO]
Speaking with candor is easier said than done. People can either speak so directly that they forget how it will affect the other person, or they are so compassionate that the meaning of the feedback is lost. Here are helpful tips for balancing both care and confrontation when giving candor and how to receive it well.
Read more50% of All Employees Will Need to Be Re-Skilled by 2025 - What Is Your Plan?
The skills needed for employees to succeed are changing due to disruptions in our culture. One report states that 50% of all employees will need to be retrained in the next five years in specific areas. Here’s what they are.
Read moreBuilding Loyalty: How to Avoid the "25th Amendment" in Your Team
What would happen if our businesses, churches, and nonprofit organizations had the authority to remove their leader? Like on Survivor, would your team vote you off the island? If the answer might be yes, here are seven actions to earn and retain your team’s loyalty.
Read moreHow to Prevent a Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly of Your Team
The past few years placed more pressures on teams than any other time in recent history. Here are 4 ways you can prevent your team from experiencing a Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly, also known as an explosion.
Read moreMoving from Seething to Healing: 8 Ways We Can Do Better [INFOGRAPHIC]
Over the past year, we have experienced an extraordinary amount of emotional, relational, and physical destruction and death. So how can we move forward and experience healing in our families, organizations, churches, and country? Here are 8 ways we can all do better and actually make a difference.
Read moreFeedback: How to Handle Feedback as a Leader [VIDEO]
“Can I give you some feedback?” Those six words can be hard to hear, especially for those in leadership. Here are five ways to handle feedback as a leader.
Read moreConflict: How to Fight Right [VIDEO]
Conflict in organizations and relationships is inevitable. But you have the option to make it valuable by learning to fight right instead of letting it become toxic and destructive. Here are four elements in learning how to fight right.
Read moreTeams: 5 Traits of a High Performing Team [VIDEO]
Some teams just chase the next thing in front of them. Others rely on a single “superstar” to carry them. But neither of these methods will allow a team to be successful in the long run. Here are five traits of high performing teams.
Read moreStop Whining About Meetings! 7 Ways to Make Meetings Valuable
Most people tend to whine about meetings saying they are “too long,” “a waste of time,” and “inefficient.” But instead of whining, consider making your meetings as effective as possible by focusing on these seven actions.
Read moreHow to Finish Well
Layoffs are accelerating. Unexpected retirements are growing. Millions of people are having to make decisions that will determine if they finish well or finish poorly. Here are a few suggestions for those facing this time in life right now.
Read moreHow to Handle Confrontation with Compassionate Candor
“Tell it like it is.” “Be honest.” These are just a few of the phrases we often hear when it comes to candor. But they are easier said than done. Here are steps to practice compassionate candor – speaking to others in a way that is both forthright AND caring.
Read more11 Things to Remember When Working from Home
As we adjust to the new ‘normal’ of social isolation and social distancing, working from home or working remotely is a reality for you and many of your employees. Here are 11 things we are learning as we adjust to a new virtual workplace.
Read more7 Actions to Improve Employee Retention
“We can’t find any new employees!” “Younger employees sure don’t stay in one job for very long.” Our consulting team hears statements like these a lot. The struggle to find and retain qualified employees is partly a result of low unemployment and economic growth. Here are seven actions that each of us can take to help create a higher retention environment among our teams.
Read moreWe Are Not Getting Any Younger… And it Should Matter to Every Leader
For the first time in recorded history, there will be more people in the world over the age of 65 than under the age of 5. Here is what the aging population will mean for our organizations in terms of the workforce, health care, education, and spiritual outreach.
Read moreAttracting & Retaining Millennial Women in the Workplace: A Snapshot of What They Value Most
What do millennial women value most in the workplace? We took an informal survey to find out. Here are our findings and why they are important.
Read more10 Actions for Building a Culture of Safety
In studying eight of the world’s most successful groups, researchers found that creating a culture of safety is crucial. Here are 10 elements that help build a safe culture and therefore a successful organization.
Read moreA Leader's Pledge for a New Year
A new year is an opportunity for a fresh start in many areas of our lives including our health, family, finances and even our leadership. Here is a pledge I am sharing with my team, and I encourage you to consider it for you and your team this year!
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