Someone asked me the other day what the “culture” of a company referred to. Immediately I felt like giving them St. Augustine’s definition of time: “As long as you don’t ask me what it is, I know; as soon as you ask me, I don’t.” For me, culture is a Read more…
Most of us have at least heard of the Japanese Martial Art named Aikido. One of its main principles is the use of an attacker’s momentum against them. This allows much smaller and physically weaker practitioners to best much larger and stronger opponents who rely on brute strength alone. Well, Read more…
I was chatting with a client who asked me this question: “Hey, why are you always talking about emotions and how to deal with them? Shouldn’t an executive coach talk more about things like productivity, and time management and goal setting?” First of all, upon reflection, I am guilty as Read more…
Being “results-focused” is one of the absolute badges of honor in any organization. We all want results, accomplishment, to get things done. No one wants to be the air-brained, constantly distracted, perpetually unfocused, time-wasting team member that never gets anything done, right? But, what if the most damaging thing you Read more…
Turnover. The very word strikes fear in the hearts of leaders everywhere. A leader once told me: “The only thing worse than having someone who is a bad fit on my team is the time and effort it takes to replace them.” We all know the time and effort involved Read more…
The manager of a 20 person team confessed to me that he was struggling with some of his team members who do not accept feedback well: “I feel like every time I have to give feedback I’m walking on eggshells.” Most managers have had a team member or two on Read more…
I had an interesting conversation today with a tax consultant from a multinational consulting firm we all would recognize. He was struggling with the way his team is performing. But, as it turns out, he is really not leading a team at all. I admit that defining terms is often Read more…
One of my sharpest emotional crashes happened in Chinatown. I started out on cloud nine; I just got engaged to the man I loved, and was out celebrating with friends and family. I showed the diamond ring on my finger time and again, until interest in the rock was replaced Read more…
Have you ever had that sinking feeling that you made a terrible mistake in hiring someone? We’ve all been there. Most of us have experienced it: the sneaking suspicion when we first meet that person, the growing excitement as we get to know him or her better and then the Read more…
She shifted in her seat and looked at me uncomfortably as she tried to answer my question. As a corporate recruiter from a successful software company, she has expertise and experience, and was kind enough to share both with me as I asked about hiring strategies. “How important is character for Read more…