Enjoy some of our posts and recommended articles and videos that complement the work we do with our clients.
Business Consulting
Does Your Company Have This Critical Ingredient for Success?
Does your company have this critical ingredient for success?
In all my experience working with organizations big and small, there is one consistent ingredient that is absolutely critical for moving and organization forward and for achieving any type of success. Without it, organizations spin, miss out on opportunities, and often suffer from poor morale.
When Executive or Leadership teams are not at their best, the organization suffers significantly.
1) Lack of concerted energy and focus to work towards the organization’s goals
2) Negative energy between team members which often funnel down into the organization and leader’s departments
3) It takes longer to make decisions and to implement plans
Now on the flip side, strengthen and align one’s leadership team, and the benefits will start rolling. Some expected and some pleasantly surprising! It is for this reason that I love work that involves aligning the leadership team – and in reality, most of the work I do does.
Where is your leadership team today and where could they be if they were more aligned? Read More...
Who Says that More is Better? Or That Large is Better than Small?
Who says that more is better? Or that large is better than small?
I often find myself having conversations with clients around their perceptions that because another company is larger, more established, or has more experience, that they automatically are better. I have found through my work of working with clients in organizations of all sizes, that this is often a false assumption. In fact, in many cases it is just the opposite. Malcolm Gladwell discusses just this in his book, David and Goliath. He says that the things people conceive of as advantages and disadvantages aren’t always accurate, since disadvantages can become beneficial in certain circumstances while advantages can become hindrances in others.
Ever heard the saying, it’s often better to be a small fish in a big pond? It’s the same idea.
I recently watched the movie, King Richard (great movie by the way), about Serena and Venus Williams and their path to tennis celebrities. Their father along with the girls were determined and through hard work and determination, these girls became world tennis champions. Success often comes from a history of hardship.
I often suggest that my clients look for the opportunity in every situation. It’s so easy to jump to the negative and often the opportunity is well within our grasp. Read More...
Leadership Will Change Forever After The Coronavirus Pandemic
What made a leader successful many years ago is unlikely to be as effective in today's world. Having worked with many different clients over the course of the past 6 pandemic months, I have seen a lot of evidence that this is true. This article presented an interesting perspective on leadership in these tumultuous times.
Leadership Will Change Forever After The Coronavirus PandemicRead More...
HR Consulting
Building on the Gains Made from Remote Work
Focusing on communication and culture can further boost employee experience and productivity.
Leaders' views on the merits of remote work have shifted since the pandemic started. Some that were adamantly against it were forced to make it work and were even pleasantly surprised. So, now that offices are reopening, where do things stand? How much flexibility in the workplace will remain? This topic is relevant and timely for many business! A quick and worthwhile read.
Building on the Gains Made from Remote WorkRead More...
Importance of Clearly Defined Job Roles
Having clearly defined jobs/roles is one the most important aspects of a healthy organization. Time and time again, I see significant organizational issues with clients that result from confusion regarding roles and responsibilities.
It might be challenging to untangle and sort out, but having that clarity is priceless.
Here is a very quick read on the topic.
Importance of Clearly Defined Job Roles - HR Daily Advisor (blr.com)Read More...
CEO of Remote Company Shares What She Looks For in Work-From-Anywhere Hires
Most of my clients have remote employees and all of them are continuously trying their best to make remote work successful. We can all probably agree it isn't easy, however, it is the new reality. I have always said that some people are much more likely to be successful working remotely than others - I don't think it works for everyone. This CEO of a fully remote company shares what she believes makes for a more successful remote employee. Some useful ideas on what to aim for - worth the quick read!
CEO of remote company shares what she looks for in work-from-anywhere hires: ‘This is a gamechanger’ (msn.com)Read More...
Professional Coaching
Personality and the Impact on Our Effectiveness
Does working with someone with a similar personality make things easier?
What personality types are on your leadership team and how does that impact the team’s effectiveness?
How do you get through to someone who is so different from you?
What happens to our behaviors when we are under pressure?
The majority of my work is partnering with clients to enable their growth. While strategic planning, organization structures, communication, and marketing are often components of the work, PEOPLE are at the core. And we all know, people are complex.
I have integrated Lumina Learning into many of our client engagements, providing individuals with a “portrait” - a personalized document that is full of insightful information on themselves and their relationship with others. The tool can be used in one-on-one work with individuals, but often it is integrated into the work we do as a team.
The Lumina tools can help solve issues that the organization may be facing by resolving conflicts and helping teams work together harmoniously, leading to increased production levels in the long term.
Lumina Learning has found that every individual possesses opposing personality traits. Our tools aid personal development by assisting others in embracing all their personality traits and working to build on their strengths and examine their weaknesses. Our work clearly indicates that individuals who are willing to look inside and embrace their own diametrically opposed personality traits can significantly improve their personal effectiveness and enhance performance.
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” — Viktor Frankl Read More...
Do Nice Guys/Gals Finish Last?
Do nice guys/gals finish last?
As a business owner, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some truly wonderful clients who are kind, considerate, and always looking out for the best interests of others. However, I’ve noticed that many of these clients often end up hurting themselves in the process. They put others first and neglect their own needs, which can lead to burnout and resentment.
So, do nice guys/gals really finish last? The answer is no. In fact, research has shown that being kind and considerate can be a great asset in both personal and professional life. However, it’s important to find a balance between being kind and assertive. Being too nice can sometimes lead to negative consequences, such as sacrificing your own needs and desires for the sake of others.
If you’re struggling with this issue, here are some tips that might help:
1. Be assertive: Being assertive is not about others not getting what they want. It can get you to a win-win situation where everyone’s needs are met.
2. Communicate your needs: Others can’t read your mind and often don’t know what you need or the impact their request has on you. Communicate your needs clearly.
3. Assert your boundaries: People will often respect you more if you are assertive and let them know what you need. Knowing your boundaries, what you are and are not ok with, and communicating it (thoughtfully) demonstrates confidence and strength.
4. Consider what’s in it for them: Consider how your getting your needs met will also help them to get their needs met, and include that thinking in your communication with them. How you communicate what you need can make all the difference.
Remember, being kind and considerate is a valuable trait that can help you build strong relationships and succeed in both your personal and professional life. By taking care of yourself, you’ll be better equipped to help others in the long run. Read More...
Describing Yourself This Way Dramatically Improves How Other People See You
Whether you are interviewing, networking, speaking to potential new clients, or just trying to make a good impression, this article is worth a read. It’s so interesting and potentially helpful to know how some of our biases impact the impression someone makes on us. This quick read has some very poignant points and helpful tips that could really make a difference. I know for myself, I can describe what I do and why I do it well in multiple ways, but never realized how much more effective some of those ways might be.
Harvard Research Shows Describing Yourself This Way Dramatically Improves How Other People See You (and How You Perceive Others) | Inc.comRead More...
