In everyday conversations – whether with friends, family or coworkers – most of us have an empathy deficit – or at least we don’t express it enough. Everyone wants to be seen, heard and appreciated. But not that many people - especially in workplaces - know how to communicate empathy so that others … [Read more...] about Empathy in Everyday Conversations
Emotional Intelligence
Toxic Leadership: A New Look at Solutions
“Toxic leaders cast their spell broadly. Most of us claim we abhor them. Yet we frequently follow — or at least tolerate — them.” ~ Jean Lipman-Blumen, The Allure of Toxic Leaders (Oxford University Press, 2004) Much has been written about toxic leaders with psychopathic traits and narcissistic … [Read more...] about Toxic Leadership: A New Look at Solutions
Driven to Lead: What Makes People Tick
Leadership is about relationships with others. You cannot lead without understanding the innate drives that are essential to human development and survival. “Our understanding of leadership can be no better than our understanding of what makes humans, all humans, tick—what are the ultimate … [Read more...] about Driven to Lead: What Makes People Tick
The Past as Prologue: How Experience Shapes You
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
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
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
Mastering Leadership Psychology
“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” ~ Fred Rogers, The World According to Mr. Rogers: Important Things … [Read more...] about Mastering Leadership Psychology
The Rampant Rise of Rudeness
“These may not be the best of times, and these may not be the worst of times, but for sheer rudeness, these times beat the dickens out of most times.” ~ Roger McElvey, “Mr. Manners,” Men’s Health, May 1995 While there are plenty of leadership development programs that propose social and emotional … [Read more...] about The Rampant Rise of Rudeness
How to Voice a Complaint
“Complaint has a noble history. It has driven human society forward and led to the abolition of systemic injustice. That it is now primarily associated with inconsequential moans and frivolous litigation is a travesty.” ~ Julian Baggini, Complaint: From Minor Moans to Principled Protests, Profile … [Read more...] about How to Voice a Complaint