Author: Beth Wonson
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Anger Bubbling Below the Surface
Can you really check your personal baggage at the office door? I believe that is unrealistic, and when you try to suppress what you are feeling, it will bubble up and come out sideways when you least expect it – which doesn’t serve you (or anyone else) well. http://BethWonson.com/bit-of-beth
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Shirt on Inside Out
If simple feedback is so uncomfortable, how can we possibly engage in high-stakes feedback? Next time you see me with my shirt on inside out (and you probably will someday), just let me know. I promise I won’t make you feel bad, and I will be very grateful. Where do you avoid important conversations because…
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Listen Up!
Hearing what someone said isn’t always enough – you may need to actually listen. Active listening takes a bit more work but will save you time and energy in the long run.Listen in (or read on) for: an explanation of active listening, three questions you can ask to encourage a deeper conversation, how little of…
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Find Joy in the Possibility
Not every opportunity that comes our way works out as we hoped – that is life. But what if, instead of holding back our joy just in case things don’t work out, we celebrated the possibility? When you consider how much time we spend in the possibility space, I’m thinking enjoying it could be the…
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Shut the Dang Door!
“I have an open door policy.” Oh my gosh, those words just make me shudder. Why am I opposed to an open door policy when it’s often pushed as the way to be a “connected leader”? Because an open door policy has the opposite effect. When you have an open door policy, you’re not connected…
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The Only Person I Can Manage Is Myself
Today I’m sharing one of the key mantras by which I live my life. Why? Because, frankly, I got sick of chaos and drama. How about you?
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“You can only call me for three reasons…”
Exhaustion and fatigue are common themes with many of my clients, and I’ve realized they haven’t given themselves permission to set boundaries. In fact, the tendency is quite the opposite. Somewhere along the way, we get the message to give all of our kindness, time, and energy to others and to keep none for ourselves.…
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Start With Strawberries: Lessons and Reflections from New CEO Cara Crye
A special treat: An interview with Cara Crye, new CEO of the Farm Supply Company. Cara began working at Farm Supply fresh out of college and worked her way up through the ranks to follow the prior CEO’s 52-year tenure. If you’re looking to move up within your organization, or even tap into a leadership…
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Anger’s Many Disguises
Anger is not a pure emotion, but a mask for painful emotions such as sadness, fear, and disappointment. At the same time, anger can hide behind numbness, defensiveness, or a feeling of power. Anger plays tricks on our ego, distances us from others (and ourselves), and can have a boosting effect as powerful – and…
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How to Get Rid of Your Anger
When at work, many of us try to deny anger we’re experiencing because, well, it’s just not appropriate. But through that denial, more anger and resentment are generated, and our suppressed anger has a way of sneaking out when we’re least expecting it. Ultimately, suppressed anger can destroy our working relationships, stall our careers, and…