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Patience diffuses the negative; Kindness initiates the positive
I saw a father in a park the other day. His son was clearly upset about something and acting out. The father squatted down next to him and was patiently trying to sooth him. Soon, the two walked out of the park, hand-in-hand, the son skipping lightly at his side. Meanwhile, several blocks away, another…
Read MoreCompassion
Compassion means listening to someone’s struggles instead of discounting their discomfort. Taking the time to wipe away a tear. Covering their shame instead of exposing it. Sharing the load instead of ignoring it. Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash
Read MoreThey Need You To Believe In Them
This is happening! She will be here soon! In a few short weeks my daughter, and first child, will wiggle her way into this strange new world. A world outside the warm, comfort, and safety of her mother’s womb. Every day brings a new realization of what it means to be a father to a…
Read MoreSay it Without Blame or Shame
Good communication is difficult, great communication requires a thoughtful approach. One of the core tenants of great communication is an underlying emphasis on adding value to people. When asking a person to change it is easy to slip into confrontational language and receive a defensive response. For example: “In our marketing meetings, you never ask…
Read MoreYou Can Only Affect What You Can Impact
I am an avid Star Trek fan and delight in the practical life lessons that can be learned from the shows. Lately, I have been thinking about the power we allow things we cannot control to have over our lives. I am thinking particularly about a politically charged media article that overwhelmed several people I…
Read MorePeople Need Validation & Hope, Not Toxic Positivity
When I am going through a tough time it drives me crazy when people say things like, “You’ll get through it,” and “Try to find the positive.” I believe they mean well but it does not help me. I want to know I am ok, I want to know there is a way out. Having…
Read MoreLittle Things Matter
People value feeling valued. A quick note written to a team member to acknowledge their contribution can go a long way. This can be especially powerful after a big win or during a tough project. It can be easy to overlook this, because after all, that is why they are being paid right? Even so,…
Read MoreMake it Personal
It is not enough to simply assist your employees with work issue. Great leaders As leaders, we are focused on building high performance teams that kick butt and take names, but great leaders know they must go further. Great leaders get to know their people on a personal level, and even go so far as…
Read MoreGet anything done with a strong “why”
I am on the board of a local non-profit; recently the board met to discuss a sensitive topic. A topic that had been danced around for years. Whenever it had been brought up strong emotional outburst accompanied it and the issue was kicked down the road for the next years board to figure out. The…
Read MoreValue Your Time
If you found out you had a week to live what would you do? Would you go to work, or spend time with loved ones, or pursue some hobby that interests you? Would you wish you had spent more time at the office or with your family? When I read reports from studies asking people…
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