Category: Happiness Matters
Plaques and platitudes can lead to paralysis
Walk down Mahogany Row in most corporate offices and you’ll be able to read a lot about what the organization stands for. You’ll likely see plaques that outline core values, posters that tout a commitment to the customer. Some examples: Guiding Principles • Mission • Leadership model • Philosophy • Vision • Code of conduct • Our commitment • Goals • Roadmap to […]
The Latest Leadership Craze: Caboose Coaching
What could be more helpful to a leader than having nearly 24/7 real-time access to an experienced coach who literally follows him or her around throughout the day? That’s what many organizations are providing in an effort to enhance leadership effectiveness and shorten time to productivity. And it’s called ‘caboose coaching’. Understanding the Engine Here’s […]
Stop Driving Employees Nuts
This article originally appeared at SmartBlog on Leadership in November 2012. After dedicating a large portion of my professional life to helping leaders develop new skills to improve workplace performance, I’ve come to a startling (and perhaps career-limiting) conclusion: Employee engagement, motivation, and results are less about introducing new leadership behaviors and more about just […]
Pre-solution: The Forgotten Step Before Resolutions Can Take Hold
As 2013 draws to a close, it’s seductive to make declarations about how things (including ourselves) will be different in the coming year. Daily exercise Kind words to the crotchety co-worker No sugar The list goes on. The problem is that too frequently we jump to these resolutions prematurely. They end up operating in a […]
SHAPE the Holiday Season for Greater Satisfaction
The holiday season is upon us again. A chance to spend quality time with family and friends. A chance to punctuate key relationships with specially-selected gifts. A chance to end the quarter/year strong. But also, a chance to become completely overwhelmed and enjoy none of it! And that’s because too frequently we get swept up […]
The Value of Vulnerability
In a world where perfection and strength are highly valued, we’ve lost our appreciation for vulnerability and the gifts it offers. Last week I had the pleasure of judging a student competition. More than one hundred high schoolers taking part in a Youth and Government program presented mock legislative bills they’d prepared with the goal […]
