Category: Leadership
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That’s gotta be sarcasm…or is it?
Growing up north of Boston the youngest of five kids, sarcasm mattered in my world. Bostonians are known for their quick wit and clever, but cutting sarcasm, and my siblings and I were no exception. At family gatherings I frequently heard, “Can’t you take a joke?” or “I was only kidding!” Being the baby of…
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5 simple ways to get more from your brain!
I was at a luncheon last week where Sara Caputo of Radiant Consulting in Santa Barbara was the speaker. Sara has an extensive background and credibility in organizing – which seems to be a current theme in my life these days. In the past month I’ve: 1. Read and implemented many aspects of Marie Kondo’s “The Life…
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I am that person. You are that person.
I often get called to help deal with “that person”. You know who I mean. The employee who’s too valuable to terminate, but they have annoying patterns of behavior that cause drama and take up valuable time. Now, for some reason, it has reached the crisis point. And they have become “that person”. Recently I…
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130 Shirts, 20 Pairs of Pants and a Problem Solving Activity
This weekend I held space for someone dear to me to let go of a big chunk of the past and deposit it squarely into the bin at the Goodwill. Initially I was more inspired than she was. I had picked up a copy of the best selling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”…
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Am I Perfectly Clear?
My youngest daughter was about four years old and playing outside with a friend. They were into a little mischief playing in an area of the yard that was off limits. In my stern mother voice I clarified the rules again and then asked, “Am I perfectly clear?” (I am not even sure where I…
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Undefended Problem Solving
The CEO of a large, successful company confided to me recently that one of his greatest frustrations is when a member of his team gets carried away defending their own position. To the point that the person sulks or doesn’t participate productively in problem solving or innovation. His interpretation is that the person is having…
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How did we end up here? This place is horrible.
In the opening scene of the movie Birdman, actor Riggan Thomson is in the dressing room of the Broadway play he has written, is directing and starring in. This play is his final opportunity to be seen as his true self. Although a big risk, he sees this as his last opportunity to return to…
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Four Simple Ways to Improve as a Leader
Do any of these statements resonate with you? – I spend all my time putting out fires. – I’m tired of getting blindsided by missed goals and deadlines. – I thought I wanted to be the leader but I miss the camaraderie of the team more and more. – I’m not sure my team…
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Feeling Powerless in Challenging Conversations?
Have you ever felt powerless in a meeting when the conversation turns into an emotionally charged diatribe? Here are a few seemingly magical steps that you can use to turn around unproductive and damaging diatribes in just minutes. Imagine that you are leading a meeting. One of the agenda items is: rising health care costs.…
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Thinking about Leveling Up?
A dear friend is sleeping soundly in my guest room. Last time she was here was about six months ago and only days before she embarked on a six-month trip through Asia armed with only her backpack, a yoga mat, her cell phone, her courage and occasional met ups with friends. Just days before she…