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In a session I facilitated recently, we found ourselves laughing a lot and having fun. The jovial mood was in sharp contrast to our previous session when emotions were raw. This team had a lot of conflict and we used the first session to share the many issues that were undermining their ability to work … Continue Reading

As a consultant, I get to work with a cross-section of organizations and with people throughout the US.  An average month might find me working with a nonprofit one week, a food manufacturer the next and a utility the next.  You might ask, how can you go from industrial settings to nonprofits?  Don’t you need … Continue Reading

Consider this scenario: Your team is not meeting its objectives. What’s your response? Are your proactive or reactive?  When you are proactive, you observe, pause, reflect and choose before you act.  When you are reactive, you default to habitual ways of thinking and being and do what you have always done. And how about taking … Continue Reading

All too often in organizations, people use the terms “leader” and “manager” interchangeably. To me, this is problematic. Managers and leaders are not the same thing. There are different skillsets associated with each role. What’s the distinction? Managers manage things and leaders lead people. Today’s organization asks its managers to be leaders. They have increased … Continue Reading

There was a moment while walking amongst the ruins of the Acropolis that I felt thunderstruck. I was surveying structures that were built 2,500 years ago during a time when citizens in Ancient Greece had more of a say in the running of the state; when philosophers were questioning the relationship between body, mind and … Continue Reading

  We’ve all given gifts and received gifts. At this point in your life, which act is more gratifying? Have you felt giddy anticipation watching someone else unwrap their presents?   The joy of giving is nicknamed “the giver’s glow.” Research in the field of neuroscience suggests that this act triggers a reaction that releases dopamine … Continue Reading

Did you know that practicing gratitude improves both your psychological and physical health, enhances empathy and helps you sleep? How? Positive emotions open you up — they broaden and build. It's doing simple things over time that change your world view: Practices such as taking an extra moment to savor and appreciate what's good, chronicling … Continue Reading

There’s a line from a Burt Bacharach song that says, “Knowing when to leave may be the smartest thing that anyone can learn.” Moving on. Is there ever a right time?  What I have learned over the years is what I believe to be the right time is revealed to me. I consider the change … Continue Reading

Want to create a more engaged workforce? Start with your culture first. Why? Today’s competitive workplace needs a workforce with advanced skills in problem-solving, learning from mistakes and being self-directed.  You might set these expectations for your workforce and provide training.  Nevertheless, you will never foster a motivated workforce unless and until your culture is … Continue Reading

I was listening to an interview on NPR with Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education under Obama. He is out on the speaking tour promoting his new memoir. The first line from his book reads, “Education runs on lies.” He offered explanations for this provocative statement. For instance, we say children count but we don’t … Continue Reading