Don’t Put Off Your Own Personal Development

Many leaders I work with know they would benefit from developing new skills but aren’t sure how to fit learning into their already packed schedule. I encourage them to think of their workplace as an on-the-job learning lab or playground where they can experiment with a new skill or behavior. I use this language because…

Frustrated with Poor Management? Ask Madeleine

Hi Madeleine, I work in a membership organization with a very old-fashioned outlook and a hierarchical structure. I am not a manager, but I did have one direct report at a previous employer. I am very interested in management and leadership and intend to have other management roles in the future. Management practices here, although…

Can’t Keep Covering for a Direct Report? Ask Madeleine

Dear Madeleine, I am a regional VP for a global services company. I get excellent performance reviews, have been promoted regularly, and have had some employees tell me I’m the best boss they’ve ever had. I am ambitious and on track to be a senior leader in the company. Five directors report to me. Our…

Afraid You’re Becoming Boring? Ask Madeleine

Dear Madeleine, I have been with the same organization for eight years. My company offers anyone who has been here for seven years a reduced pay, three-month sabbatical. My boss keeps pestering me to schedule it and take one. (I totally get that this is a good problem for me to have.) I don’t have…

Do You Engage in Mental Jabbering?

For about a year now, it seems everywhere I turn I hear people talking about the power of mindfulness. To me, mindfulness means paying attention to your experience from moment to moment. Because I keep hearing and reading about this topic, I figure the universe is telling me this should be my development focus right…

Mindless Work Killing Your Soul? Ask Madeleine

Dear Madeleine, I hate my job. I am just bored to tears. When I completed graduate school, I was recruited into what I thought was the perfect job for me—the job description was exactly what I was looking for. A year later, I am doing a ton of mindless administrative work and almost none of…

Trapped Yourself in a Gilded Cage? Ask Madeleine

Dear Madeleine, I run the office of compliance for the parent company of a large financial institution. We are attorneys, paralegals, and accounting professionals. About a year ago, my boss was fired and I was made interim head of compliance. I’ve received no title change and no substantial raise, but they keep throwing stock at…

Coaching Others? Put Your Own Mask on First

Anyone who has ever flown has heard these words: “Should a drop in cabin pressure occur, put your own mask on first.”  Yes, in order to help others, you must take care of yourself first. Since I almost always ponder life through the filter of coaching, this brings to mind three of my recent clients:…