In challenging times, it is not hard to imagine many peoples’ stress levels being high, some extremely high. Everyone is talking about it. The media is relentlessly analyzing it and there are times you are probably having a conversation with yourself that goes something like this, “I really need to get a grip on my stress.” You are not alone. [Read more…]
Identifying and Understanding Feelings in the Workplace
In another career, in a different decade, I worked as a mental health clinician serving a diverse group of adults. Many of them were unable to articulate what they were feeling, though a good number of them acted out their emotions in less than productive ways. One of the tools we used was the feelings chart. [Read more…]
My Workplace — Do I love It? Should I leave it?
Challenging times provide another lens to look at the many aspects of our lives — the people, the places, our values, our fears.
One large piece positioned for reevaluation could be around the place you work and what you do. I am not referring to only the physical office but the quality of your work life and how it fits with your goals and aspirations. It is a difficult time in the world of work but not all sectors or levels are being impacted negatively. Deciding should not be immediate in most instances but looking at the pros and cons might offer options and insights. [Read more…]
Much to Gain After Much Has Been Lost — Career and Personal Perspectives
We know all the phrases, “look for the silver lining,” “there are opportunities in a crisis,” and “leaders are born in wars.” There is truth to all of these, maybe even some motivation and solace.
Not to diminish or deny that much has been lost, changed, or left open in this pandemic. Many people have suffered unthinkable amounts of pain and suffering. We respect and honor their courage and resilience. I do think there can be a silver lining, opportunities, and leadership emergence for many of us. [Read more…]
Personal Leadership — What is It, How Do You Benefit from It?
In past issues of the Competitive Edge Report, I discussed many aspects of leadership: Leadership in Times of Chaos, Leadership Advice — Leadership Not Management, and Leadership Lessons from Captain Sullenberger (“Sully”). Recently several of my executive coaching clients have been faced with extraordinary challenges — layoffs, regime changes, downsizing, employer realignment, illness, natural disaster, and now this pandemic. [Read more…]
Looking Back to Move Forward
Is it the time of the year a mood we are in, or are we constantly being pushed to move forward? I’m not saying there is anything wrong with eyeing the future, only asking if we are depriving ourselves of some important information and sense of satisfaction that might be essential to our professional or personal growth and happiness? [Read more…]
A Career Wake-Up Call
Times of crisis and significant stress can bring great clarity to our lives. What is important at home and in work becomes obvious because demands are immediate and sometimes life changing.
It can be a career wake-up call for both satisfaction and a need for action.
Here are some of the positive and negative things I see as possible career questions and opportunities presenting themselves because of the situation we are now dealing with. [Read more…]
Leadership in Times of Chaos
“The managerial rule book fails us… when people are searching for meaning and reasons to hope for the future.” So were the views of Dutton, Frost, Worline, Lilius, and Kanov in their January 2002 Harvard Business Review article “Leading in Times of Trauma.” Published just four months after the 9/11 attacks, the authors called for compassion on the part of senior leaders. The opportunity for employees to bring pain into the office, virtually or in-person, is not always seen or encouraged in the workplace. The authors argued compassion for others, particularly by leaders, “not only lessens their (the staff’s) immediate suffering… but enables people and the organization to recover from future setbacks.” [Read more…]
Too Tough on Yourself — Try Self-Compassion
A behavior common among very successful people is setting high standards for others and especially themselves. Whether the actions are going to be seen by their boss, family, colleagues or done strictly in private, it doesn’t seem to matter. High achievers place the bar at the top rung for almost everyone, anything, and everything. [Read more…]
Dealing with Procrastination — Insights and Techniques
Procrastination comes from the Latin — to put off until tomorrow. We all do it sometimes, occasionally for good reason. Some of us, or our employees, do it often, causing frustration and disruption to everyone.
Why would anyone act in a way that causes problems? It makes no sense. Despite the logic of starting, we still procrastinate. Many professionals will tell us there are tricks and techniques to help you meet deadlines, get daily tasks finished, or rev-up a new project. Some of them work. But they don’t address the core issue around procrastination — negative thoughts and emotions about ourselves and the work at hand. [Read more…]
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