3 tips to help “culture adds” acclimate and make a difference

3 tips to help “culture adds” acclimate and make a difference

As the days grow longer and warmer this spring, the trees, bushes and flowers are responding with healthy new growth that fills the air with wonderful sights and smells. Amid all of this beautiful new growth outdoors, how well are your latest “culture adds” taking...

Why and how to ignore this bad advice: “Know your audience”

Why and how to ignore this bad advice: “Know your audience”

“Know your audience” is great advice for actors, musicians and other performance artists. For those of you working in organizations, “know your audience” is bad advice because it sends the wrong message. It’s too easy to interpret the phrase as follows: "You’re a...

How to be a more inclusive leader: improve your communication

How to be a more inclusive leader: improve your communication

If you want to be an inclusive leader or someone who strives to be more inclusive in how you relate to colleagues and others, you need to be inclusive with your communication. In other words, your talk needs to match your walk on your path to create a more inclusive...

How my biased brain cost me time, money, and worse

How my biased brain cost me time, money, and worse

Blame my biased brain. Back in December 2019 I made a bad decision that cost me money, time and my self-respect. The consequences of my bad decision didn’t hit me until last fall. That’s probably because it took several months for the full adverse effects of my poor...

How inclusive leaders accept and encourage employees for who they are

How inclusive leaders accept and encourage employees for who they are

Inclusion affects everyone. That’s one of the reasons why it’s top of mind today for many leaders. For example, when a team member doesn’t feel intentionally included in a group setting, they’re likely to feel excluded. That feeling can contribute to the individual...

How being a fly on the wall helps you stop your chatter

How being a fly on the wall helps you stop your chatter

When your days are packed, it can be hard to find and take time to reflect. Yet, self-reflection is a free and powerful tool to review your actions and feelings. You tap into your inner coach to get insights on what you might want to do differently next time,...

How to avoid the war of words versus images

How to avoid the war of words versus images

Do you love words or images? Or is audio your thing? Most of us show a preference, even when we’re capable of tapping into all of our senses. Favoring your preferred orientation is perfectly normal and acceptable. However, don’t assume others are just like you, as...

What Black fatigue is and why you need to be empathetic

What Black fatigue is and why you need to be empathetic

If you were to reimagine a new United States of America – an America in which all individuals are truly created equal with absolute rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – what changes would you add to your wish list? The best-selling author...

How to ensure your “ask” gets others to “act”

How to ensure your “ask” gets others to “act”

Happy Lunar New Year as we welcome the “Year of the Ox.” Are you more like an ox than you’d like to admit? On the plus side, oxen are known for their diligence, dependability, strength and determination, according to the Chinese New Year Zodiac. The negative? Oxen are...