We often talk about the skills leaders need in conversations with their people. Another equally important conversation is when people need to talk with their leaders. These conversations can be quite intimidating.  Have you ever avoided conversations about getting involved in a project, asking for personal development or career advancement, clarifying a misunderstanding or smoothing…

We assume because it’s feedback that it’s right. Wait! Stop right there. Just because it’s feedback doesn’t make it good feedback. Feedback is simply information. Good feedback is information that is reliable, relevant and actionable.  Studies show that feedback is impacted by biases like the natural tendency to rate people toward the middle, the lack…

We are busy and sometimes we forget to slow down so we can be intentional about the conversations that matter. When we do have a moment to prepare for that meeting or that interaction we are about to have, we will often focus on the “how to” … how to set the agenda, how to…

I was listening to my colleague’s story. She had just finished a tough round of cancer treatment and didn’t have the support at home that she needed. She had gone on a trip to clear her mind, but it didn’t go as planned. She felt disappointed and alone. Now she was planning another trip and…

In recent blogs, we have talked about why practicing empathy in the moment is important and what empathy is not. So, how does developing your empathy add value to how you lead? Imagine a situation where your team member is not measuring up. They missed a deadline. They blew up at a co-worker or they…

Ever had an experience trying to do something new and having all the little things go wrong? It ends up taking way too long and is so frustrating. That was my weekend. Trying the simple task of changing cell phone providers. Oh, if only I would have known what questions I should have been asking…

Being a mentor will cost you something: time, effort, energy. Busy leaders have limited capacity and many things that make demands on that capacity. So, why would you even consider being a mentor? Some become a mentor because they see the long range impact of developing the next generation of leaders. Others choose to mentor…

Achieving our goals has gotten trickier in the last year. As we head into a new year, I would like to propose that a key factor in reaching our 2021 goals may be expanding the way we think about mentoring.   “Mentor” is a verb as well as a noun. It’s entirely possible for someone to mentor…

Great leaders have personal growth plans. No matter how seasoned of a leader you are, we all have potential for growth. Someone out there is further along. Someone out there has experience to add to your thinking. Someone out there has questions you haven’t even thought to ask.  Mentors are all around us. Who makes…

We have heard that it is better to give than to receive. The beauty of reciprocity is that when it comes to mentoring both giving and receiving can co-exist. Mentoring, however, is not on the “radar screen” for everybody. It may be easier to put mentoring to the side because of the energy and effort…