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
personal skills
How to Voice Your Values
It can be extremely difficult to express your personal values at work, especially when confronted with questions of right vs. wrong. Issues become thornier when you’re facing a choice between degrees of right vs. right. Most of us want to bring our whole selves to work: our skills, ambitions and … [Read more...] about How to Voice Your Values
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
Play to Your Strengths
Over the last decade, self-help, coaching and leadership professionals have been placing greater emphasis on positivity and personal strengths. The goal is to help clients work with what they have and build on their inherent talents. “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you … [Read more...] about Play to Your Strengths
How to Improve Your Brain at Work
Let’s face it: You’re getting older, and work isn’t getting any easier. If being asked to do more with less isn’t enough, advanced technology and a rapidly changing marketplace mean you must stay sharp to remain a competitive asset to your customers and bosses. How can you maintain your edge? “You … [Read more...] about How to Improve Your Brain at Work
Add Meaning to Conversations with Power Questions
Asking good questions may be the most important, yet least developed, skill for personal and professional success. One popular belief holds that we win friends and new business by being clever and quick on our feet, and that our brilliance—saying just the right thing—is what attracts others. But … [Read more...] about Add Meaning to Conversations with Power Questions
How to Get the Most Out of Meetings
Meetings, like death and taxes, are an inevitable fact of business life. Many, unfortunately, turn out to be a huge waste of time. Instead of generating ideas, engagement and commitment, meetings often zap team members’ energy, replacing it with apathy and boredom. (photo courtesy … [Read more...] about How to Get the Most Out of Meetings
Power Listening: 4 Steps to Conversation Success
I only wish I could find an institute that teaches people how to listen. Business people need to listen at least as much as they need to talk. Too many people fail to realize that real communication goes in both directions. ~ Lee Iacocca, former CEO Ford Motor Co. Listening may be the most … [Read more...] about Power Listening: 4 Steps to Conversation Success
What Successful People Do Differently
Why do some people succeed and others fail? How do they set the stage for the next promotion, highest sales, most votes or stellar performance? (photo courtesy Stuart Miles) Does it take: A high IQ? Personality? Good looks? Talent? Research shows that measures of innate … [Read more...] about What Successful People Do Differently