Category: Coaching
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Messy Is Actually The Best Place To Start
Recently, I had the pleasure of consulting with a seasoned nonprofit Executive Director who was grappling with a particularly messy challenge. During our 3-hour session, I took notes and sketched diagrams as she talked, helping her untangle the complexities in her mind. By the end, we had identified key areas for organizational strengthening, clarified her…
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Coaching as a Tool for Managing Up
The term “managing up” has different meanings to many people. Most leaders tell me that they wish their staff were more skillful at managing up. Almost every leader tells their team that the skill of managing up is desirable. But in my experience, almost no one knows what exactly they are being asked to do.…
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Are You an Interrupter?
Are you an interrupter? I know I am. I get really excited about my own thoughts, the connections that I make between what someone else is saying and what I’m thinking. I love a fast-paced conversation where everyone is engaged and rifting off ideas. But, guess what. That kind of energy doesn’t work for everyone…
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Have Gossip in the Workplace?
The act of gossiping is a pretty neutral activity. It is the intention behind gossip that makes it a positive or negative. For instance, sometimes it is through gossip that communities are spurred into action to help out someone in need. Through gossip we can learn about ourselves, our values, and what choices or actions…
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Unanswerable Questions Impact Trust
One of the least discussed aspects of leadership is what to do when you’re asked unanswerable questions. How can you answer with honesty and integrity while continuing to build trust and maintain employee or team engagement?
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Holding Space is a Critical Manager Skill
Holding space is one of the most important skills for managers who want to develop the skillfulness of their staff. It is nuanced, requires practice, and also requires a significant level of self-awareness.
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7 Ways Managers Can Activate Problem Solving in Others
To successfully manage people, you must actually know some really great questions. When you are able to ask great questions, people become motivated and empowered by sharing their ideas and knowledge. Here are 7 ways you can activate problem solving in others right now.
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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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Huh? Drop a hint?
Being clear with people about boundaries and what is needed (both personally and at work) is empowering them to be successful. Evidence shows hinting, and hoping people take hints, is highly ineffective. With hinting you actually take away the opportunity for others to show up effectively, while disempowering yourself by increasing your opportunity for anger…