Author: Beth Wonson
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Learning from Our Mirrors
As a coach, I am aware that there is a belief that self-discovery and growth is “women’s work.” But I’m seeing a shift. The last six clients who’ve come to me are men seeking to learn more about how they show up under stress and how it impacts their team and ultimately the achievement of…
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Bad Hires
Have you ever made a new hire or been a part of the team that made a new hire and after a few weeks, you begin to get that sinking, Oh no—we’ve made a mistake feeling? If so, you are not alone. Bringing on new talent is one of the most challenging tasks that anyone has to…
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Want to increase morale? Increase conflict!
Really? But we spend all our time avoiding conflict! As the youngest child in a family of five, I’ve come to realize I’m conflict adverse. I didn’t really understand what lengths I would go to in order to maintain harmony. It was no one’s fault but my own. Finally, in my late 50’s, I began…
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Want to hit your goals? Don’t look at the coffee.
When I was a waitress (way back before there were “servers”), I struggled to get a full cup of coffee from one side of the dining room to the other without spilling into the saucer (yes, way back when every cup of coffee came with a saucer under it). And customers strongly disliked getting a…
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Communication Missteps and How to Avoid Them
You are highly motivated and willing to go the extra mile at work. If this is the type of employee you are, good for you! But all of your efforts could go out the window with just one communication misstep. Knowledge is the fastest road to empowerment, so become familiar with the most common communication missteps…
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The Beauty of Excellence in Teamwork
I go to a great nail salon. I really love it not only because they do a great job, but also because it is an amazing place for me to observe teamwork. The shop is busy, full of hustle and bustle, and the core staff of about ten women of Vietnamese descent have worked together…
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Easy for you to say!
I was skimming Facebook recently (distracting myself from a task I really didn’t want to do) and came across a post: “Bad way to start my day. All the indicator lights on my car’s dashboard just went out.” Many folks liked or made a sad face but one person said, “Bad fuse?” She replied, “Not…
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If you only learn one thing today…
“If you only learn one thing today, it is that grace is in the space.” What space? you might ask. Grace is in the space you create for yourself. This statement begins most of my keynotes and speaking gigs, and I sincerely mean it. If that is the only thing someone takes away from their time…
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His response surprised him…
I was reminded again today about how much emotional energy gets entangled with our business decisions. I was speaking about Navigating Emotionally Challenging Dialogue at a conference today. What I love about this particular mini-workshop that I’ve created is that each attendee gets to work on a scenario they are struggling with right now. When I asked…
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Take a load off! Tips for the exhausted leader (or for just the plain human)
Leading (and being a human) can be exhausting, particularly at year-end. To lead with ease, here are some simplistic (as in easy to understand, perhaps challenging to practice) tips to help you have smooth and calm sailing. I encourage you to apply the same techniques with family and friends. Simply substitute the words “family members,”…