Life is full of daily lessons. We interpret experiences; tag them as good, bad or neutral; file them into memory (or not); and create stories about ourselves. If you want self-awareness, take a look at how experience has shaped your stories. “Many leaders point to their childhoods as the source of … [Read more...] about The Past as Prologue: How Experience Shapes You
Conversational IQ: 5 Conversational Blind Spots
Is there such a thing as conversational intelligence? It could be that some leaders are naturally more adept at the art of conversation. It’s certainly true that we all could improve our ability to engage and influence others through conversations. “Human beings are the most highly social species … [Read more...] about Conversational IQ: 5 Conversational Blind Spots
Put Happiness into Action
Is it possible to take specific action steps to become happier? Do we find ourselves pouring effort into improving our circumstances, only to find that we’re not that much happier after all? The King of Bhutan, the last Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas, has decided that the best way to foster … [Read more...] about Put Happiness into Action
Overcoming Leadership Blind Spots
There’s no escaping it: Everyone has blind spots. No matter how hard we try to be self-aware, everyone—including the best leader—has unproductive behaviors that are invisible to us but glaring to everyone else. Our behavioral blind spots create unintended consequences: They distort judgment, … [Read more...] about Overcoming Leadership Blind Spots
The Science of Happiness:
5 Ways to Improve
Are the happiest people blessed with luck that bestows a better life and fewer worries? Or, should we attribute their emotional fulfillment to character strengths and mind power?
Happiness research, a field known as “positive psychology,” is chockfull of relevant findings. Some of the latest … [Read more...] about The Science of Happiness:
5 Ways to Improve
Put Positive Leadership into Action
Executive coaches and leadership consultants who encourage positive thinking often encounter cynical, hard-driving executives with a close eye on the bottom line. But positivity coaches have come a long way since author Norman Vincent Peale preached his positive philosophy of faith and miracles. … [Read more...] about Put Positive Leadership into Action
The Powerful Practice of Gratitude
The secret to greater happiness and success may be more attainable than you think. Research reveals that taking a few minutes to list the things that make you feel grateful provides a powerful boost of well-being, energy and positive emotions. “Opportunities, relationships, even money flowed my … [Read more...] about The Powerful Practice of Gratitude
The Innovator’s Paradox
When’s the best time to implement change? Before you need to do so. In a world of accelerating product and technology developments, the way you handle your job today is far different from when you first started out. Business in the 21st century is continuously reinvented and innovated. If you … [Read more...] about The Innovator’s Paradox
Mind Over Mood: 3 Paths to Better Decisions
Psychologists, neuroscientists, economists and Buddhism scholars are shedding new light on how we make decisions: We make the best choices when we acknowledge our emotions. In Western civilization, we’re taught that the best decisions are based on logic and reason. Businesses favor data … [Read more...] about Mind Over Mood: 3 Paths to Better Decisions
Leading through Inquiry: Do Ask, Don’t Tell
How can leaders and managers bring out the best in their people? With today’s interdependent work teams it’s not enough to give instructions about how to do jobs. More is required for leaders who wish to engage collaborative partnerships for high performance. “Carpenters have hammers, dentists have … [Read more...] about Leading through Inquiry: Do Ask, Don’t Tell