Blog
A Holiday Ritual That Changed How My Family Connects
The wrapping paper is about to fly. The kids are buzzing with anticipation. Everyone’s ready to tear into the presents. And I’m about to do the thing that makes my nephews groan… ask three questions. Several years ago, I started a holiday ritual with my extended family. After our Christmas Eve meal and before we…
How Self-Aware Leaders Turn Feedback Into Their Greatest Strength
“No one wants to tell me anything. They say I’m intimidating.” I’ve heard this from more leaders than I can count. And when I sit down with their teams, the employees tell me the same thing: “We don’t feel safe bringing up problems. Our ideas get dismissed. The leader gets defensive and condescending.” So I…
Is Your Childhood Conflict Pattern Showing Up in Your Leadership?
You’re in a tense meeting. A project has derailed. Emotions are running high. How do you respond? Do you take control and demand compliance?Avoid the conversation altogether?Smooth things over with excessive reassurance?Crack a joke to lighten the mood? What most leaders don’t realize is, the way you handle conflict today was likely learned by age…
The 3 C’s of Difficult Conversations: How to Stay Grounded When the Conversation Gets Tough
As a leader, Ben knew he needed to address Bob’s abrasive behavior. Bob had a pattern of dismissing colleagues’ ideas in meetings, sending curt emails that left people feeling belittled, and making sarcastic comments that created tension across the team. Ben found every reason to avoid the conversation. He anticipated Bob being defensive. He worried…
The Culture You Tolerate Is the Culture You Create
What do your employees feel when they walk into work each day? Sal walked through the front door of his office and immediately felt the tension. A familiar knot formed in his stomach as he headed to his desk. While many of his coworkers were friendly, he dreaded interacting with one person in particular, someone…
What an Airline Captain Taught Me About Building Team Cohesion
Our plane had just arrived late, making our departure likely to be delayed. Several passengers were going to miss their connecting flights. You could feel the tension in the air. Then something unexpected happened. The captain, a woman who clearly knew how to lead, came out to the gate, took the microphone, and calmly described…
Choose Your Mindset Before Addressing Employee Behavior: An Emotional Intelligence Approach
Before having a candid conversation with a difficult employee, choose your mindset to optimize the likelihood of a positive outcome.
How To Build Inner Resources, Resolve, and Resiliency Through Emotional Intelligence
What inner resources, resolve, and resiliency will help you cope with demands, distractions, and disappointments at work? During one of my workshops, I asked managers to share their experiences with the challenges they face in today’s workplace. Their answers revealed the emotional toll of unresolved organizational conflict: “We are expected to do more in less…
What Emotionally Healthy Leaders Have in Common with Great Parents
Emotional intelligence in leadership isn’t just about managing your own emotions, it’s about creating an environment where others feel safe, seen, and valued. As we observe Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month this October, it’s worth reflecting on a powerful parallel: emotional intelligence in leadership mirrors the essential qualities of effective parenting. Think about it. The best…
Why Acknowledging Your Efforts Matters More Than Their Responses
When was the last time you took the initiative to repair a conflict with a colleague, even when you weren’t sure how they’d respond? October is Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to reflect on the courageous conversations that define effective leadership. At a recent Interpersonal Success Circle session, one of my…