Introverts in an extrovert world?
The United States is one of the world’s most extrovert culture, and business is a place where it is particularly prized. Do we lose something from that? What if you’re an introvert in an organization where the extrovert behaviors are the benchmark? Some say that the single most important aspect of personality is where you sit on the spectrum of introversion/extroversion. It influences career and spouse choices, how we communicate, make decisions, resolve conflict and show love. It...
Read MoreOptimism, Courage and the Power to Lead from Anywhere
Having optimism (the ability to see the best in yourself and others), and having courage (the willingness to risk failure) are necessary to be a leader (able to create and carry out a vision that takes you into the unknown). All well and good, but where do you get optimism and courage? Not at the mall, that’s for sure! I spoke on this topic several days ago at the American Business Women’s Association(thanks for the invitation, ladies). We started the meeting in the dark, a 20 minute...
Read MoreTiny Acts that Matter Big
Don’t overwhelm yourself with big steps. A continual aggregation of tiny acts can be all you need to achieve something important. A Swedish client once told me ‘you can only eat a potato one bite at a time.’ I have a goal I’ve set for myself this year, but I don’t have hours to devote to it. If I set out to take big steps, I’d quit right away. So my plan is once a day to do something. It’s manageable to commit myself to just one little action every day, whether a phone...
Read MoreYear-End Self Assessment Tool
Evaluate your own performance in 2012 before you move into 2013. The following downloadable assessment tool will help you reflect on the year, and can be used for you as an individual, team, or company. It’s easy to forget all you’ve accomplished and all you’ve had to overcome so take time to reflect back over the year, and perhaps review your calendar or journal before completing the survey. Financial results are a key measure of success for any business or non-profit (no money, no...
Read MoreYour Success, Thanksgiving History, and Lincoln
To whom do you owe thanks this year as we in America celebrate the national day of Thanksgiving? None of us can say our success was entirely our own doing. Taking the time to remember those who helped to fuel your progress this year is an important professional exercise, plus gratitude is a proven psychological benefit. I thank you for reading my blog posts! THANKSGIVING HISTORY: You know seven other countries celebrate a day of thanksgiving? I was brought up in school thinking...
Read MoreHow to Finish 2012 Intentionally
Only six weeks left until the end of the year. Fewer than 30 work days when you subtract your holidays. Lots of distractions headed your way. How will you commit to finishing the year well? Answer three questions. Why? It’s important to end meetings and conversations leaving enough time to finish well. Why not apply the same strategy to the year? It’s not effective to rush madly through the last few minutes of a meeting and it’s not effective to rush madly through the last...
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