Blog
Forgetting Frivolous Feedback
Can I just rant for a moment? Have you ever noticed how asking for feedback sometimes invites frivolous, nonsensical, and insignificant information? Do some people believe that ‘I don’t have anything to offer’ is not an acceptable response? Why do they feel compelled...
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...
Striving for Second… or Maybe Third
I ran for and was elected to one of three open local school board seats earlier this month. The experience was filled with learning... about politics, our community, campaigning, and myself! As a Type A, highly driven, excellence-oriented achiever, I’m accustomed to...
A Challenge to the Training Function: Is Learning a Two-Way Street?
Despite high levels of engagement, facilitative delivery styles, and even attempts at user-generated content, most training is still a fairly one-way communication vehicle; the trainer shares information, guides some discussion, and builds the group’s knowledge... all...
Transforming While Performing
I’m always surprised when leaders explain to me why it’s hard to make development a priority. They invariably say that it comes down to time. It’s not uncommon to hear some variation of: “My people are so maxed out, over-burdened, and under-resourced, that they don’t...
Bring Out the Best in Your Team
Guest Post by David M. Dye I'm honored to help my friend, David Dye, celebrate the launch of his book with this guest post. The Seven Things Your Team Needs to Hear You Say was released earlier this month. I had the pleasure of reviewing a preview copy and was...
Unconscious Competence or Catatonic Complacency?
If you’ve attended more than a workshop or two in your career, you’ve likely been introduced to the four stages of competence or the four stages of learning any new skill. Developed in the 1970’s by Noel Burch, this model describes the process by which new skills are...
Career Development Today: Is Your Head Screwed on Straight?
Surviving and thriving in today’s dynamic workplace demands one thing above all else: having your head screwed on straight about career development. The mixed messages and ever-changing expectations have left many employees genuinely befuddled. So, here’s a guide to...
A Word about Welcoming New Workers: Three Secrets to Satisfaction, Engagement, and Retention
First impressions apply to organizations as well as individuals. If you’ve ever hired someone, you know that employers have a short window during which to capture the hearts and minds of a new employee. Unfortunately too frequently the window closes... about the same...