Don’t just know about them. Know them.
For the past couple of weeks I've been talking about getting clear on your stakeholders. Sometimes we focus all of our attention and intentions on the person who chartered the work that we're doing. Here’s a scenario for you to consider: Your client, Deonte, wants new...
4 Tips To Encourage Your Team To Participate In Professional Development
Early in my career, I learned the power of professional development when my manager encouraged me to participate in various skill-enhancing opportunities. Soon, I began to ask myself, “What do you want to learn this year?” Like a kid in a candy store, I’d peruse the...
Empowering Your Employees to Become Better Problem-Solvers
For many things, there is no one answer. There is no clear guidance about what steps to take. We have to think through what we're experiencing and then lay out a path to resolution. Determining a path forward makes some people uncomfortable. They want to treat it like...
Work Environments That Can Destroy Teams
Have you ever been on a team of self-driven, motivated, tenacious people? A team where it seems like everyone comes to work prepared to take on whatever the charge is? A team where people are confident in themselves and trust the motives of their co-workers? A team...
When Should Your Team Receive Performance Reviews?
As a corporate associate for over 20 years, I immediately associate December with performance reviews. It's the time of year when I sit down and think about all of the things I said I would accomplish... and write a long diatribe about how great I did against the...
Preparing for Greatness No Matter Your Circumstances
Have you ever seen a picture of a flower that had the audacity to bloom in between the cracks on a sidewalk? It was not supposed to do that. Many flowers require a certain pot, paired with the right soil, adequate lighting, and an appropriate amount of water. But for...
Does Your Life Need a Hard Reset?
When I'm stuck with a computer problem, I'm the person that's excited about doing a hard reset to resolve the problem. As soon as I start the process though, I get nervous. What didn't I consider? What will I lose? This is similar to doing a hard reset in life. We get...
Starting the Year Off Strong
When something comes to an end, it’s natural to want to assess and determine how we can do better the next time. That's how I feel at the end of a year. A new year can represent a fresh start. A do-over. How can I make sure that I'm primed for success and ready to...
Ditch Those New Year’s Resolutions
I'm a resolutionist. I love to make pronouncements and announcements about the new things that I plan to do. And for me, there is no better time than the first day of a newly minted year to start fresh. But, I did not start this year with my resolution rituals. Why?...