Do you get tired of hearing about how tired your team members are? When I am asked to evaluate the culture and climate of a work place, emotional exhaustion is one of the patterns I look for. When I ask, “How are you?”, I hear “I’m exhausted”, “I’m so tired”, “I’m drained”.  These responses, when shared almost automatically by a majority of team members, are an indicator that the work environment that is low on trust and high in fear. Why? It is a neurological fact that when we operate in an emotionally unsafe environment, we are unable to operate…

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I’m frequently asked how to handle mistakes in ways that build up teams, enhance learning and avoid anyone getting thrown under the bus!   My answer: As the leader, the choice is all yours! Here’s a quick, true story to illustrate my point. Walter (name changed) had a promising future at a major financial firm. He and his wife had recently purchased their dream home and enrolled their kids in the best private schools. One Friday, he was unexpectedly called into the partners’ office. Within an instant, it was pretty clear this was not a happy meeting. The partners solemnly explained to Walter…

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Did you almost make the mistake of deleting this because you don’t consider yourself a leader? I’ve got news for you! Regardless of your title, you are a leader first and foremost. Self- leadership is the most critical skill you will ever develop! Click here to get my guide to Leadership Strengths & Gaps!

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My geometry teacher started the 1974 school year by instructing us to write our goal for the year on a 3×5 card. I wrote “I’d like to say I’ll study more and work harder. But I know I won’t. So I’m going to do the same as last year. I’m satisfied with the result of my effort.”   He flipped through the collected cards and pulled out one that he said was “outstanding.”   I assumed he’d be reading the perfect goal written by one of the honor students. Instead he read my card. He said something along the lines…

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Increasing self-awareness as a tool for breaking through barriers that maybe causing resistance to change! Do you wish you could confidently make decisions and solve problems? Do you feel like you have an inner voice telling you to make changes, but don’t know if you can trust it fully? Would you like to be an inspiration to others to follow their hearts or live their passion? Do you desire less drama and more ease in your life and work? If so, this one day workshop could be your first step to self-trust and facilitating yourself, or others, through transformational change. Beth…

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I used to confuse self-love with self-care. I thought it was about doing things for myself as little rewards – a massage, eating well, buying myself something I wanted. But I’ve learned over the past few years that self-love isn’t about doing at all. It is about feeling. Recently as I was working one-to-one with a coaching client, I was again reminded of authentic self-love. She welcomed me to share her learning with you.   My client is a very busy person with a wide circle of friends and family. She has had meaningful love relationships but most simply fizzle out although she…

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It doesn’t matter what your you are aiming for…cleaning out your garage or getting promoted at work. Perhaps you are driven to get your first million in the bank or are striving to get your horse to a state of perfection. Maybe you want to run a marathon or maybe you want to run for Congress. Regardless of “what” you are trying to achieve…wouldn’t it be great to let go of the burden of striving?   Join me, Beth Wonson, and my collaborator, Natalie Stets, as we burst through just some of the common myths around the value we place on…

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“They write each other permission slips all the time.” This comment was made to by an employee I was interviewing about the culture and climate her workplace. She was expressing her frustration regarding two co-workers who loudly join together in toxic, negative, gossip-filled bantering. “When it happens, I put on my suit of armor.” Her words got me thinking about the act of “granting permission.” What role do each of us have in granting permission, or at least offering support for negative behaviors that tear down not build up positive working environments? The next time a co-worker makes an attempt at…

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  Three times in as many days the topic of “lies in the workplace” came up in my work. So I realized that it is time for me to reflect deeper on meaning and relevance of workplace lies. And how the emotional energy and moral value we place on the act of lying actually diminishes, not enhances, the ability to create a healthy work environment. There is a basic truth about lying that we, as humans, tend to disregard. And that is that all humans lie. Why do we lie? There are 5 reasons: To save face. To shift blame.…

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A consultant can be the perfect solution to a variety of common gaps, challenges and issues that face organizations. Much like getting a tune up on your lap top, bringing in a consultant can be just what’s needed for improved performance! Here’s some scenarios where consultants have made all the difference: 1.  The sleepy team. They’ve been working together well for a long time. But outside factors (the economy, donor giving, competition, changes in technology, changes in diversity of constituency…or any other myriad of factors) mean it is time for your team to take it up a notch. Bringing in…

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