How snarky feedback can help you get better, not just older
Do you still remember and hold onto any stinging feedback from the past? I do -- all the way back to my freshman year of college. And this past year during the pandemic, I found an effective way to channel this feedback. I use it as a challenge to myself to keep my...
Why and how to cure tunnel vision with “anthro-vision”
Did you have WEIRD experiences as a college student? Not WEIRD as in strange, but WEIRD as participating in psychology, economics and other social science experiments? If so, you and I are definitely part of the WEIRD – Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and...
Want to improve accountability? Insist on 2-way streets
When was the last time you visited Pity City, that imaginary destination where you’re entitled to feel sorry for yourself and your situation? Pity City welcomes visitors and renters yet outlaws home ownership. As one of my former colleagues used to say, “You can visit...
How “high conflict” can be combustible even when you’re dressed for the occasion
One summer six years ago, two individuals from different church groups contacted me several days apart. Both groups said they needed assistance dealing with an escalating conflict around meetings in their congregation. As each individual described their situation, I...
Why autonomy matters and how you can use it to your advantage
Autonomy is a HUGE benefit for so many of us. Just ask -- er, watch -- my dog Marcel in action. He loves to choose where to walk, whether to take the elevator or the stairs, and where and when to drink. And we humans love our autonomy too. It serves as a feel-good...
5 ways to power up and reenergize your change communication
The story of the investment firm Engine No. 1 gaining three ExxonMobil board seats for their carefully selected candidates initially reminded me of the classic children’s book The Little Engine That Could. If you remember the story, a little engine agrees to try to...
13 clever ‘hacks’ to adopt a more optimistic mindset
In this expert panel from the Forbes Coaches Council, 13 Forbes Coaches Council members, including me, shared clever “hacks” that you can use to increase your optimism, or at least turn your pessimistic outlook into a more optimistic mindset. Being more optimistic...
Want to be a better leader? Try growing up, not out!
“Grow up!” This phrase has new meaning to me this year now that I’ve started to study vertical stage development to grow leaders. Vertical stage development is more about an individual’s personal growth and less about the skills an individual acquires and polishes. To...
How to be credible and confident with your choice of words
How carefully do you choose your words -- especially PUNG words (probably, normally, usually, and generally)? The latter have a reputation for being tentative words that can diminish the power of your message. However, those who communicate clearly and credibly adjust...