Advice for transforming leadership, culture, Curiosity, and communication from Beth Wonson
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An amazing phenomenon happens to a lot of kids early in life. It isn’t often talked about or noticed, but it exists and many of us take part in it. The phenomenon is label making – the act of learning, accepting and receiving labels. These labels apply to our potential, our behavior, our physical appearance, and our personality. Unfortunately, labels get stuck on us with a kind of emotional Super Glue that can last a lifetime. And even if you do remove the labels, there is usually some kind of residue that remains.As a young child in grade school I…
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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 and resentment.
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BRACE YOURSELF! Or not.
What do you think of when you hear those words? What happens in your body? If you are like me, you feel tension. Maybe your heart races a little. Or there is tightness in your chest, stomach, or spine. Are your eyes hard or soft? Perhaps you are glaring, instead of gazing gently. What about your teeth and jaw? I’m guessing they are clenched. Take a moment now and let go. Allow your shoulders to drop. Rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth to open your jaw. Listen for the beat of your heart and thank it. Find…
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Who is to Blame?
This is the story circulating on Facebook about the gorilla who was shot when a 4-year old boy entered the cage at the zoo and was dragged around frantically in what appears to be at least six inches of water. Panicked onlookers observed from about 15 feet above.And now my FB feed and the news is asking the question… Who is to blame? We all get to be judge and jury from our armchairs and laptops. And we eagerly jump to it. Why? I suspect that the act of placing blame allows us to ignore the feelings of helplessness, fear, or…
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Are you at risk of being replaced?
We hear a lot of noise about how human workers are at risk of being replaced by automation and technology. And while there is some truth to this, research is also showing that the jobs with the highest incidence of replacement by automation or technology are also the ones that require the least social skills or emotional intelligence. In addition the most consistent job growth has been in areas where a high level of social skill and emotional intelligence is required.Why? Because automation and technology can do many things quickly and more accurately, yet computers still can’t mimic effective social interaction.…
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Why did I come in here…
I’m sure you, like me, have moments where you walk from one room to another with a specific intention (e.g. fill your coffee cup or grab your checkbook) and then suddenly, when you arrive in the next room you have no idea why you’re there! Scientists call this the “doorway effect” and are finding more and more evidence that moving through a doorway actually causes our brains to let go of some memories, tasks, goals, intentions, and even successes, that were created in the previous room. They are finding it is also true with virtual doorways such as computer screens,…
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Um….. No. You are wrong
At one time or another we all get feedback that we just don’t agree with. It could be from a boss, a colleague, a friend, or a family member. Regardless of whether or not we agree, how we respond sets the stage for the future of our relationships and how we grow and share our value. Most people indicate that giving feedback is one of things they are most uncomfortable with and most often avoid. So it is no wonder that frequently feedback is delivered clumsily and with the nugget of truth masked or buried. Accepting that it may be…
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Pause. Rewind. Delete.
Feeling stuck? I was too. But I stepped out of it. And you can too. The first step is pretty simple. So why not take it?
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Warning! I’m a little crabby.
I find myself having to ask people to repeat things they’ve just said and sometimes feel like I never heard certain pieces of information shared previously. I go into a room having no idea why I went in, and I’m having a hard time finding words or phrases that were just on the tip of my tongue. Why? I’m in transition! I seem to want to endlessly play Solitaire on my phone or stare mindlessly at Facebook. I’m drawn to bowls of ice cream, macaroni and cheese, and other comfort foods like a moth to a flame. Exciting and yet…
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Letting go of what is pretty darn good
I know that many people have a fear of letting go. I have something quite the opposite – a fear of holding on too long to what feels pretty darn good. Quick overview, I’ve built a booming coaching and consulting business that has allowed me to buy a beautiful home. I live in an area nestled between mountains and the ocean – literally. I drive less than a mile to an 8,000 acre state park, Montana de Oro which upon entering literally puts my heart into the deepest rest. When I set foot in this area of California over 15 years ago,…
Leveling up Leadership and Culture Through Healthy and Candid Communication
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