Territory vs. Hierarchy
In Steven Pressfield’s book, The War Of Art, he describes how, in the animal kingdom, individuals define themselves either by their rank within a hierarchy (a hen in a pecking order, a wolf in a pack) or by their connection to a territory (a home base, a hunting ground, a turf). It’s also how humans […]
Redefining Empathy and Resilience in the Workplace.
Some perspectives for leaders to consider: Taking care of yourself. This has nothing to do with self-centeredness. It has to do with ensuring that your leadership comes from overflow not from emptiness. You can’t give what you don’t have. To inspire others, you must be inspired. Redefining empathy. Empathy has emerged as a critical component […]
How to recognize when your team is out of sync – and how to get back on track.
Addressing the issue promptly is a crucial leadership skill. Key indicators that your team may be out of sync: Disengagement: People coming late to meetings, reduced accountability, uneven distribution of work. Lack of Trust: People not opening up, shutting down, unacknowledged tension. Ineffective Leadership: Poor delegation, unclear direction, purpose, and expectations, decreased standards, a lack […]
Two Kinds of AI: Artificial Intelligence vs. Authentic Interaction
When I asked AI the difference between artificial intelligence (AI) and authentic interaction (AI), here’s what I got: “artificial intelligence (AI) and authentic interaction (AI) represent fundamentally different approaches to human connection and problem-solving. While artificial intelligence relies on algorithms and data analysis to simulate human-like responses, authentic interaction involves genuine human engagement, emotional understanding, […]
Nothing in life is permanent – is this inspiring or terrifying?
Knowing everything can change in an instant can be good or bad, depending on your state of mind. Helen Keller was an American author, political activist, lecturer, and advocate for disability rights who lost her sight and hearing at 19 months old due to illness. She became the first deafblind person in the United States […]
We all have bad days – even weeks. How do you know when it’s a you vs. them problem?
It’s never a you vs. them problem. It’s always a you and them problem. In every relationship challenge there are always two sides. When facing a relationship problem, the accountability approach asks: “How am I contributing to the problem I am complaining about?” This question implies a commitment to look at your side of the […]
How do you know when it is time for a change in your life or career?
Signs to watch for: Lack of motivation Feeling unfulfilled Lack of growth opportunities Feeling undervalued and unappreciated Stagnant skill set – your skills are underused Negative, toxic work environment Work-life imbalance A gut feeling that you’ve evolved into the wrong place These are emotional signs that indicate a need for a change, but they don’t […]
RECHARGING LEADERS: Redefining Empathy and Resilience in the Workplace
In a recent coaching session, a leader, who is very caring and in touch with his people, told me of a recent exchange he had with one of his team members where he outlined his expectations for the role he was in. The expectations didn’t seem excessive to me, but the employee responded with a […]
As leaders, is there value in sharing our mistakes, or is it okay to keep some things private?
Sharing mistakes can foster a culture of learning, trust, and psychological safety within an organization. When leaders openly discuss their errors, it encourages team members to take risks, be innovative, and learn from failures without fear of punishment. Sharing mistakes demonstrates confidence, promotes humility, fosters collaboration, and improves performance through better problem-solving and faster resolution […]
How much time do you spend talking vs. listening? Take a listen/talk ratio audit.
Communication involves talking and listening and is foundational to leadership. Ideally, An ideal ratio is 2:1 where you listen at least twice as much as talk. That’s why we have two ears and only one mouth. I talk excessively when: I feel compelled to showcase my expertise and knowledge. I’m anxious and feel a lack […]
