When I was a kid growing up in a small town in Kansas, we had a Dairy Queen-like store. They had things like soft serve ice cream, burgers, hot dogs, french fries, and ice cream sundaes. It was a treat to get to go there as a kid.
Read moreLife Skills
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. My 18-year-old daughter is going to college in August.
I’ve failed to teach her a few critical life skills. I certainly won’t win the “Mother of the Year” award.
She can’t fry an egg. Seriously. Burns them. Every. Time.
Read moreDemands vs. Requests
The executives demanding that their employees work from the office believe it is the best way to get the work done so they can meet their goals.
The employees, who work from home and want to continue, believe that is the best way to get their work done so they can meet their goals.
Both are demanding that their approach is the best way forward.
Success
I've been thinking about my personal definition of success.
In my 20s it was my job title, how much I earned, and an apartment with a washer and dryer so I didn't have to go to the laudromat.
How are you?
Most of us will say "good" and then move on in the conversation to something else.
But I'm willing to bet, you aren't "good" or even "okay."
Many years ago, I had a co-worker ask me in the hallway at work, "How are you?"
Pay Equity and Transparency
More states and cities in the U.S. are passing legislation requiring employers to post pay ranges on their job openings.
I wish that this wasn't something the government required but few employers have done this without being required to do so.
Actions Not Words
I’ve been thinking about how people say one thing and do another.
Words are easy to say. Following those words up with aligned actions is another.
Read moreRecognition
When was the last time you received handwritten note in the mail?
I'm thinking about this because my daughter is writing her thank you notes for her high school graduation gifts this week.
I remember doing this a lot in the 1980s and 1990s. Not so much now.
Graduation Advice
If you had to speak at a graduation, what would you say?
Here’s my 2 cents.
Being Still
I have a difficult time being still.
Quieting my mind and my body is a challenge. And yet I am drawn to stillness.
Connection
Photo by Pixabay
“We are all leaves of one tree. We are all waves of one sea.” —Thich Nhat Hanh
We are all connected and yet often act as if we are independent. Our decisions impact others now and into the future.
Read moreThe Gift of Closure
There are a lot of disappointments in life. Let go. Give yourself the gift of closure.
Read moreCelebration and The Future
Today I am celebrating the 5th year anniversary of opening my business, Prosper Consulting. I am incredibly proud of this accomplishment and am grateful for my team, friends, former colleagues, business coaches, referral partners, and many others who contributed to this milestone.
Read moreClaim Your Personal Power at Work
Call to mind someone you admire who gets along well with people and seems to effortlessly lead groups toward collaborative problem-solving. Those people, whether they have been given official authority or not, operate from a place of personal power.
Read moreHow to Create an Inclusive Company Culture
More than just a checkbox on a form, an inclusive company culture means recognizing the value of everyone’s strengths, varying perspectives and backgrounds as a company works toward a shared business vision.
Read moreThe Intentional Business Leader
The power of intention extends past our personal lives, and it can help executives and leaders solve some of their biggest business challenges. As an intentional business leader, you can begin to develop crystal clear vision and a strong culture of excellence and innovation.
Read moreHow Personal Agility Makes You a More Valuable Business Asset
The rapid changes happening in the world, and in business, can leave you with whiplash. However, people with strong personal agility have the capacity to react, adapt and recover more quickly than those who cling to familiar modes of operation.
Read moreLeading through Change
The past 16 months have brought a landslide of change to both society and business. More than ever, professionals need to learn to adapt to change – and executives need to understand the nuances of leading through change.
Read moreEncouraging Productive Conflict in Business
We refer to businesses as entities, which implies a computer-like state of calculated processes and a steady hum of output. Ah, wouldn’t that be nice? But these entities run on the power of imperfect human beings, and conflict in business is inevitable thanks to our uniquely human reactions and emotions.
Read moreGood Leaders Use Alignment to Motivate Teams
How to motivate teams ranks among the most common leadership challenges my coaching clients face.
Some leaders rely on individuals to draw on their internal motivation. Others try to spark productivity by using threats or incentives that motivate the desired behaviors. Working toward alignment offers a better way.
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