Looking back at the past year, there are a number of things I would have done differently. For example, one day I received feedback that was negative and I didn’t deal with it correctly. My poor response to this feedback dramatically impacted the outcome of the situation—for the worse. Hopefully, I’ve learned something from the…
We all make mistakes when leading. It’s part of the process—delayed projects, missed deadlines, communication issues, budget constraints, and an endless list of other possibilities that Murphy’s Law dictates are always around the corner. When you find yourself in a leadership failure or debt, here are a few things you can do to get out…
Have you ever stayed in the office longer than productively necessary, gone to work while you were sick, or put in overtime when you were already exhausted simply to impress the boss? If yes, you might be suffering from presenteeism—and it may be harming both you and your business over the long term. Traditionally, this…
If you are tired of hearing the word millennial thrown around, you can join me in my quest to quell the town criers. I must admit, I even added to this dialogue in the keynote presentation I recently gave on the topic. I think a more accurate characterization of this generational group is what I…
We all have something in common—no matter what you do for living, what your social status or job is, whether you’re an executive or executive assistant—life seems to move way too fast. If only you could finish the last email or get that important project started then everything would be okay. If you just get…
At The Ken Blanchard Companies we don’t just teach people in organizations to lead, learn, and grow—we live what we teach. Recently, we began implementing a company-wide change process that included redefining our organization’s values. As you might imagine, leading a change initiative in a company that teaches change management poses a unique set of…
Like most people, chances are that you were enthusiastic about your current job when you were first hired. You were excited about the new role, its challenges, and the people you would be working with. But now for various reasons, you or your direct reports may be struggling to stay afloat. Perhaps as a manager…
I was recently in a coaching conversation with a client—now a friend—who was working through getting a new job and negotiating salary. In a paradoxical twist, as it seems to always happen, she had some amazing insight that has helped me understand my value both professionally and personally. She told this story: In the 80s…
Go to any Instagram account, Facebook or social media and you will see a host of lifestyle brands – fashion, makeup, fitness, food, sunglasses, restaurants, coffee shops, shoes – from GQ to the next up and coming photographer or fitness expert. We are attracted to these brands for the messages they portray – fun, motivational,…
One of the greatest attributes of successful people and leaders is to understand their passions and strengths. Sometimes we get distracted or side-tracked by other things that are perceived as adding value but in reality they are time wasters and productivity drainers. Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves of what our strengths are and…