Blog
Happiness Factors: Simple addition and subtraction for happiness at work
Happiness is not an elusive possibility. It is real and it is imminently possible for everyone, at work and in life. A mentoring moment made a difference Many years ago, when I was in high school, I was unhappy when thinking about the prospects for my life. My father...
Happiness Factors: 10 ways you might be limiting your happiness
Are you limiting your happiness? You might be without knowing you’re doing it. We all want to be happy. Yet happiness seems elusive to so many people. I know some folks that seem to have been born with the happiness gene. They take no tangible actions, that are...
The Difference Between Training and Coaching
The very best professional development programs The very best professional development programs contain all of the following components: training, coaching, mentoring, on-the-job practice, and peer teaching. Training conveys basic and multi-faceted knowledge to...
True Yourself: Balancing Your Wheel of Life
First, the back story…I was arrogant and ignorant…a dangerous combination of characteristics in any human being at any time, but especially when the stakes are high. I was on an AIDS Ride in the late 1990’s; riding from Minneapolis to Chicago. I wanted to raise money...
Helping Mentors Succeed
Gaining insight about your career potential and development, the business itself, client and organizational dynamics…Learnng from wisdom and experience…Receiving, free of charge, crash courses in leadership and management topics without having to sit through...
“Resistance will pay off” – Messages that Leaders Dare Not Send
Leadership Job Description (mission critical portions):Facilitate the development of, and establish, a concrete vision for the organization, its people and its servicesEngage all in planning for the short-term and long-termBuild the capacity of the organization,...
De-Stress by Dealing with Eustress and Distress
The excitement, fear and yearning for change was palpable in the manager’s voice, as he detailed his ledger of dreams, goals, challenges and fears, during our coaching encounter. He asked for coaching in order to embark on a transitional and transformational process,...
Make Meetings Meaningful
The 7F Model™ for Meeting Management“Meetings are wonderful. I can’t wait to get to my next one.”“Meetings really make my day. Who wouldn’t want more of them?”“Meetings are the best things about this job. I wouldn't’ stay here without them.”Have you EVER heard...
Essential Strategies for Managing Up
Steps for Partnering Up with Your Boss for Agency SuccessThe term “Managing Up” …employees love it and want to learn about it, managers and executives mistakenly fear it, because they don’t understand it. Interestingly, when managers and executives learn about...
Values at Work
Values form the foundation of workplace cultures. Whether the leaders and organizational stakeholder values demonstrate respect and integrity, or coercion and autocracy…values in action are experienced by all who interact with the organization. They influence the...
Provocative questions about Diversity Appreciation@Work ™
(An excerpt from Diversity Appreciation@Work, by: Bob Schout, PowerSkills Training & Development, Inc.)Culture and diversity impacts everything…everything! Culture and diversity-related issues impact communications, listening, understanding of messages and...
Please say it isn’t so! Managerial Mis-Steps During Times of Personnel Transition
A manager’s job is to support leadership decisions and shore-up trust in leaders at all times, but especially during times of personnel or program/project transitions. As a coach, mediator and consultant I am often involved in sensitive personnel decision-making...