Practical suggestions for moving forward. Life is hard…and sometimes it can be overwhelming. The weight of our problems can be heavy. Really heavy. Sometimes even unbearable. It is easy to get down in the dumps. To wallow. To feel self-doubt. It doesn’t matter what circumstances we may be going through, we are wired as human beings to focus on the…
I am fortunate to work in America’s Heartland, where we have a reputation for being nice. Midwesterners are often pegged as hard-working, courteous, helpful and friendly. This makes me proud. And while you’ll find a few “bad apples” wherever you go, for the most part, I agree with this characterization. But what does being “Iowa-nice” mean for leaders and the…
Leadership is a BIG deal. Why? Leaders set the tone and create the “feel” of the workplace. What’s it like to work here? Is this a good place to work? Am I appreciated?” Leaders impact both the bottom line and people’s livelihood. “Is my job safe? Do I have a career here? Does the company care about…
As of today, there are 36 days left in 2017 and that is 36 days to FINISH STRONG. So today think about how you want to finish the year. It is not over yet so don’t turn the page so quickly! Set your FINAL 31-day goals for the year. Make it count. Is there something you wanted to do at…
World Kindness Day is Nov 13, 2017. Here are 10 practical ideas to honor its intent. (Remember, you can use these ideas on other days too). Send a personalized note card to each of your employees letting them know you appreciate them; put in on their desk before they come to work. Spring for a Pumpkin Spiced Latte (or another treat)…
Being a leader can be a hard and sometimes thankless job. Here are some of the reasons why: Expectations come from all fronts: boss’s needs, subordinate’s demands, peer requests and you try not to let any of them down. Problem-solving, putting out fires and unexpected priority shifts consume eight of the 10-12 hour days. Career needs, along with your personal desire…
Does anyone else wrestle with the Halloween bucket of candy sitting on the counter? I decided to label it this year for what it is – TEMPTATION. But here’s the thing, life is filled with temptation and we must find the power to resist it. Here are just a few things that came to mine as I considered what I…
Leaders get to be leaders by rising to the top — solving problems, taking charge, conquering the obstacles. In organizations, these opportunities are moment by moment. And while these matters may consume a leader’s time and attention, they distract from the most important role a leader has – to care for, develop, and positively impact other human beings. And not just…
It is easy to feel overwhelmed, depressed and hopeless by what is going on around us. Violent acts seem to be escalating on a much too frequent basis. Daily news showcases human tragedy that capture our attention and leave us glued to know more, see more, and learn more. Even when the news outlets try to balance the messages of…
I’ve been a student of leadership development for some time now and appreciate the fact that there has been a lot of great books written, studies performed, and models created. There are a lot of talented people who share great perspectives and opinions on the topic of leadership. I have appreciated being the student of this wisdom. I also have a lot…