Blog
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…
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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.
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The Art of Gaining Perspective in Leadership and Seeing the Bigger Picture
Many years ago, I read a story written by an unknown author about two men who shared a hospital room. Both men were confined to their beds. Every day, the man whose bed was next to the window described to his roommate what he saw as he looked out the window. He told him about…
Read MoreOvercoming a Setback And Delivering Results
It was 7 days before our wedding and I got a call that our ceremony vocalist was injured in an ATV accident. She flew over the handlebars and had facial injuries. She didn’t know if she would be able to sing at our wedding and suggested we look for another vocalist, just in case. My…
Read MoreYou Can Lead A Horse To Water…
This is a four part series of blogs addressing the question “Can Abrasive Employees Really Change?”. Part I addressed the importance of the managers working through their own anxiety before intervening with the abrasive employee. Part II outlined key elements of a proven change process. Part III discussed accountability as both helping to sustain change…
Read MoreWhen Your Purpose Is Taken Away
Seventeen people arrived for the interview, nervous yet determined. You see this wasn’t your typical interview. It was an audition for a chorus line. The 17 people soon learned that only eight would be chosen, four women and four men. Then tension mounted. As the audition continued with the dancers learning more dance steps and lyrics,…
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