As the leaves turn amber and darkness draws in earlier, Fall ushers in a poignant time of reflection. It is a season associated with harvest and abundance – crops lifted from the fields, larders filled for winter, families drawn closely around hearths. Shorter days turn our thoughts inward. […]
These are times of heightened emotions. What we are seeing, hearing and experiencing is through our emotions. I have studied, written about and applied emotional intelligence throughout my life and career, (sometimes without even realizing it at the time) to the point that it is embedded in my practice. However, it always serves us to take a step back, consider the current context and expand our understanding. To that end, let’s unpack: What has emotional intelligence got to do with [...]
With today's increasingly digital and dispersed teams, it can be challenging for leaders to maintain strong connections with their teams. Yet feeling disconnected at work has been linked to lower engagement, productivity, and retention rates. In my work with executives it is increasingly clear that building rapport and community amidst dispersed teams is a huge leadership challenge. Whether your organization is implementing a return to the office, hybrid or remote working, teams still need to connect, communicate and collaborate. Yes, [...]
I wrote recently about the fresh start September offers us, with the back to school mindset of our younger days! This time of year also reminds me of what it was like to be a school age child, to be eager and open to new experiences. To be curious and ask endless questions with no self-consciousness because we were all learning, all of the time. […]
For the first time in the history of the Fortune 500, women are leading 10% of the United States’ largest companies by revenue. It might not feel like much of a leap, but it is a milestone nonetheless. Seeing women in these roles, achieving success and delivering results at the top of their industries, the more motivated and vindicated the push for gender parity. It is also encouraging to see gains in the traditionally male-dominated industries including financial services, defense [...]
As the sun-soaked days of summer gradually give way to the gentle rustle of falling leaves, there’s a sense of transition in the air that’s hard to ignore. September, often dubbed the “second January,” holds a unique charm for professionals, executives, and leaders seeking to recalibrate their focus and reignite their ambitions. Just as January marks the start of a new year, September brings the opportunity for a fresh start—a chance to realign priorities, set new goals, and implement positive [...]
For a long time in my life, I had a hard time looking too far ahead into my future. I lost my mother when I was in High School; she was only 39 years old when she died. This life cut short and my own grief made it hard for me to imagine the future. This realization and the counsel and meditation that helped me move forward opened my eyes to the importance of creating a vision for myself. [...]
In our rapidly evolving corporate landscape, effective leadership has emerged as the linchpin for sustainable success. But what is effective leadership? It’s leadership that gets results. That is sustainable and strategic. Leadership that is building a better future for the organization and its stakeholders. In simpler terms, it is also well prepared leadership: agile, adaptable and responsive to changing needs. […]
What’s in a word? I don’t think it can be overstated how important the leadership capability of effective communication is – and even more so when it comes to change leadership. And yet, it’s a skill that is rarely focused or developed which really is a missed opportunity. Or should I say, an opportunity still to be taken. That subtle reframing is what I’m going to focus on as we consider the power of positive language. […]
High performing teams are at the heart of organizational success. Creating and maintaining a high performing team is still elusive for many managers and leaders, in part because organizations often award promotions based on technical skills and tenure and leave the team building to chance. […]
