Advice for transforming leadership, culture, Curiosity, and communication from Beth Wonson
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Accountability. This word has been coming up in my work a lot lately. At least a half-dozen clients have recently said, “I just wish there was more accountability” in relation to their working environment. Or the sister version of the statement, “I wish he (or she) was accountable.” When I take those words “accountable” and “accountability” by themselves, I have some thoughts on what each of those people might be meaning. I bet you have your own ideas as well. But when I press for a clear description of how someone is either not being accountable or how there is a lack…
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It is time to be fascinated!
A few years ago I went to hear Jeff Foster speak. I don’t know how exactly to describe Jeff Foster, so it is best if you come up with your own description. My big take away from the experience was the word “fascinating”. Anyone who knows me, works with me, or has heard me speak knows that “fascinating” is now part of my nomenclature. Why the word “fascinating”? What I gleaned from Jeff’s message was that we all get triggered. We have core issues or traumas, no matter how simple or complex they may be. What I know is that our triggers…
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How To Be An Asset (not an a*s)
No one ever taught me how to show up the first time I was invited to the planning table, so I’m here to help you.
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As soon as I find another job…
In the course of a year, I spend close to 4,000 hours listening to people share what they love about their work, what challenges them about their work and what, if I had a magic wand (which I don’t) they would ask me to change for them. Through this listening I am able to discern some very clear, prevalent and often flawed thinking. Here’s a thought that maybe you’ve had before. I know I have. “I have to find another job because the drama and gossip here just drags me down. I can’t take it anymore.” And this one…
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There are no bad people here.
Two Specific Changes You Can Make Today toGet Better Results With Communication #1 Say what you mean. And nothing else. I am amazed at how deeply we have entangled emotion with business dialogue. I spend the most time helping clients understand that it is okay to be clear, crisp, frank and direct. I’m not sure how this has gotten off track. But I continually hear people burying what they want to communicate in a big giant heaping snowball of fluffy emotion. It goes like this, “I don’t want to hurt your feelings, or offend you, because I really like you…
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Following. Who knew?
Last week I attended my first ever partner dance class. The class was West Coast Swing and I took it because a friend, who is a fabulous dancer, inspired and encouraged me.She asked, “Can you follow?” I was befuddled. I had no idea. I’ve never really considered being the follower – in anything. I felt myself brace against the idea. After all, isn’t being the leader always the best? “The class already started and is full of leaders. But they need more followers,” my friend stated. I decided I would try because I wanted to learn. Partner dancing is new…
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And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud…
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” ~Elizabeth Appell Last week I attended the San Luis Obispo Women’s Legacy Fund Luncheon with 595 other women (and less than a dozen men). The energy and power in the room was palpable. It was clear that this was a room full of women who showed up open to whatever is possible. Open to the promised message of inspiration from speaker Katy Sullivan. Open to enjoying a heart connection with others who were also open and present. Katy Sullivan,…
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Hey! I was only joking. Can’t you take a joke?
I get these kinds of calls all the time. Me: “Hello. This is Beth.” Her: “Hi. I’m in charge of finding a fun retreat for our team. Do you do that?” Me: “Hmm. Well, yes. Sometimes. Can you tell me more?” Her: “Oh, well, we just want something really fun. We all get along really well (sigh) except there is some tension. We have a new project (initiative, boss, office space, policy, computer system, standard, etc. etc.) and some people are having a hard time adapting.” Me: “What does that look like? The hard time adapting?”…
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How Do You Get Validated?
Have you ever noticed the person who walks into a room and radiates confidence? They don’t appear concerned with others’ opinions of them? It doesn’t feel like they are trying to get anything from anyone, yet everyone is drawn to them? Do you wonder how they got all that confidence? Here is a quick exercise for you. You can simply do it in your mind by imagining that you are standing in front of a mirror. As you look at your reflection (you have to be able to see your entire torso), imagine yourself reaching out to try and…
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What If They Need Me?
This week’s topic is tough for me to write about because it’s something that is coming up lately in my own life. Here’s the deal, I still see setting boundaries as doing something to someone else – not as caring for myself. And when I do try to view boundaries as caring for myself, I feel selfish. This is what my brain knows to be true – each day is 24 hours long. And here is how I desire to allocate my available time: 7 hours to sleep (striving for 8) to recharge my brain rest and…
Leveling up Leadership and Culture Through Healthy and Candid Communication
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