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…]
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…]
How to Handle a Problem Boss
Problems at more senior levels of management are rarely because individuals lack intelligence, skills, experience or confidence. A problem boss is almost always about behavior — poor behavior.
Sure, the guy is smart, but his default motivator is yelling. She’s knowledgeable but takes credit for everything. You either know, work with, or watch, these so-called “leaders.” So, have I! [Read more…]
Are You Bold Enough at Work?
When I was growing up the worst thing you could be called or described as was “bold.” It implied brazen, outspoken, bucking the system, and not a team player. Being bold was alien to my culture, gender role, and family messages. Fast-forward a few decades. I have taken a 180-degree turn. I now pressure myself to be bold enough to push the envelope, speak up, do the unexpected, and ask for, or give myself, what I need. [Read more…]
How to Successfully Build Small Talk Skills
Our current office environment encourages silence. Look at the layout of an open office space. Initially conceived to facilitate interaction has resulted in making people more self-conscious about speaking. A greater number of us are working remotely, rarely having face-to-face contact with anyone. The vast array of headphones available are used more at work than in any other location. No wonder no one has the opportunity for office small talk. That’s a problem for you, your colleagues, and the company culture. [Read more…]
Should Men Lean-Out in the Workplace?
I had a strong reaction to an October 10, 2019 New York Times article, by Ruth Whippman, titled “Enough Leaning In. Let’s Tell Men to Lean Out.” It hit me hard! Much of what she said I see in my female executive coaching clients, relatives, and friends. The problem? I sarcastically call it the “women failing to meet the guy standard.” [Read more…]
Is Being a Perfectionist Hurting Your Career?
Being a perfectionist is a personality trait characterized by a person striving for flawlessness and setting high performance standards. I would add sometimes unachievable standards.
Everyone wants to do well in their career and produce work that is top quality. We strive towards delivering with impact in a way we can be proud to attach our name. The question comes up, or should be asked, is, “When is it good enough and not necessary to be absolutely perfect?” [Read more…]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- …
- 12
- Next Page »