I just returned from a river cruise along the Rhine. River boats are small and intimate and you can easily make new friends if you want to. At breakfast on our first morning, we and our traveling partners met a fun and engaging couple and spent lots of time with them over the next few days. On the morning of the third day, the "he" of the couple pulled a logoed hat out of his bag and flashed it in front of me. I squinted at first and then with a dismayed look said, "What is THAT?" With the …
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When Gratitude and Compassion Collide
Living with Uncertainty Hurricane Florence is the cause of lots of angst and uncertainty in the Carolinas. Analyzing radar maps and searching for the latest weather updates is a frequent daily practice. A long-planned river cruise along the Rhine is at risk for us due to possible flight cancellations and our reluctance to leave a home susceptible to power loss, flooding and fallen trees. Is it OK to be grateful when your good fortune leads others to suffer? The news a few days ago that …
Why S.M.A.R.T. goals don’t work
It’s a popular belief that nothing is accomplished without goals. Yet goals – even S.M.A.R.T. ones – frequently miss the mark. Pushing for goals without knowing how they align with your mission and purpose can zap creativity and lead to burnout. The process for creating and communicating goals needs a reboot. Here are some strategies to help you light up your team, and inspire every individual to bring their best. Get lit up yourself. No, I’m not talking about drinking at …
Make Smarter Decisions by Using Resources You’ve Ignored – or don’t know you have
How many times have you looked back at a decision and seen so clearly the better options? Hindsight can be painful, as it shines a light on the hunches you’ve ignored, ideas dismissed, and information misinterpreted. What if you could have that clarity in the present, and the confidence that goes with it? You can, and here’s how. Maintain a thoughtful state of mind. If you’re distracted by the past or future it’s impossible to make the best decisions in the now. Being present brings focus, …
Think you’re the only one afraid?
I don’t care much for chit-chat. Even as a kid I wanted to get past the superficial. I preferred Magic 8 Ball to kick-the-can. I wanted to hear people’s hopes, dreams, and even their fears. As leaders we tend to get so focused on presenting an image of having it all together that we try to push down our doubts, or ignore them all together. Often it just makes them worse. The truth is we all share the same fears. We live and work so closely together yet don’t realize we’re all afraid …