Why you need to practice empathy in moderation
My losing essay for the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) long ago advocated the benefits of all things in moderation. Self-control -- but not abstinence – was essential for drinking wine and beer, as well as caffeine, soda, and milk. Not surprisingly,...
3 ways to stay strong and uphold your values
“I’m a preacher’s kid and we were always told, ‘Act right all the time, because someone's always watching’.” – the late political reporter and co-anchor of PBS NewsHour Gwen Ifill Based on the thousands of glowing tributes from politicians, the public, and fellow...
Why performance improves when you avoid inflicting social pain
Yes, you -- the kind, considerate, empathetic person who respects others at work. Even if your office nickname is “Mother Teresa” (or Saint Teresa of Calcutta), you still could accidentally be hurting your colleagues. For example, based on what you do – or don’t do...
How to help employees proudly wear the letter “A”
Imagine you have a trusted cadre of individuals who boost your persuasive powers with employees. For example, these individuals spread out to take the pulse of their peers, relaying to you what they hear and suggesting ways to respond. They also get the word out,...
5 actions to make the most of face-to-face conferences
Stop shoveling out more stuff. Instead, set aside time to dig into stuff and discuss. That’s the most optimal type of in-person meeting for peers who want to get together and experience new ah-ha moments. Even though that advice from the New York University...
How to make your meetings please introverts
“If you’re not intentionally including individuals, you’re accidentally excluding them.” -- The NeuroLeadership Institute. That’s a great wake up call for those of us who convene meetings, form teams, and select participants for all types of activities. Let’s take...
Why these communication skills will make you a better leader
As a leader you need to inform, interact with, and inspire employees. What are the vital communication skills you need to brush up on, or acquire? When a former colleague recently asked me that question, I answered with these five skills: Listening Asking questions...
Why and how you need to help people pay attention
Pay bills. Pay respect. Pay attention. If you’re a responsible adult, you do these actions, often without prompting. Yet, even when you want to pay attention to your leaders, co-workers, and trainers and learn from them, you may fail. Attention is necessary for...
How to create energy, emotion, and edge in your meetings
Do your meetings have the energy, emotion and edge needed to keep you and others engaged, performing at your peak, and achieving the results you want? If not, how would you describe your meeting experiences? You probably will refuse, but I hope you will take a moment...
