Did you know that there’s importance in being foolish? Now, I don’t mean foolish in the sense of lacking good sense, but rather in being a bit absurd or ridiculous. You see, sometimes stepping outside the conventional can be the gateway to something truly remarkable. Think about the world’s greatest inventions – weren’t they all once

Read More

In one sense, explanations and excuses seem like the same thing. They are both ways to address questions or concerns about actions and outcomes. They are used to create understanding about why something happened. So, what’s the difference and why does it matter?The DifferenceThe key difference lies in the intent and the acceptance of responsibility.

Read More

Is competition good or bad? The answer, depending on several factors, could be “yes, no, or it depends”. What about organizational competition? My answer would be the same! Let’s look at how to determine if organizational competition is helping or harming your team and organizational results.Organizational Competition is Good When…It spurs innovation and creativity. When

Read More

We usually seek others to mentor us, and rightly so. Mentors offer invaluable perspectives and support. However, it’s vital to realize that one of the key mentors in your life can be yourself.Four Key Strategies to Self-MentoringTreat Yourself Better: Consider how a good mentor would treat you – with encouragement, support, and belief in your

Read More

When you ask someone a question and they respond, “It depends,” how does that make you feel? Does it make think the person is blowing you off or hedging their bets? Do you wonder if they are non-committal or not as knowledgeable as you thought? It could mean any of those things. Or it could

Read More

It has been about four years since COVID-19 moved from virus to pandemic status. And those events changed how we view the world – and work – forever. At this four-year mark, I am looking at the biggest pandemic lessons I learned. After you read mine, I hope you will share your own in the

Read More

I’m addressing a topic that might raise a few eyebrows: napping at work. Now, before you dismiss the idea, let’s explore why this could be more than just catching a few z’s during work hours.Is Napping at Work Really a Good Idea?Many might question my credibility for even suggesting napping as a work activity. But,

Read More

There is a well-known game played on car trips. It is most often called “Slug bug” or “Punch buggy”. Regardless of the name, the game rewards those who see a VW Beetle (the “bug”) first. The first person to see the car in question can “slug” or “punch” the other person. (More details are here.)

Read More

You’ve experienced this – as both the leader and meeting participant. The leader asks a question of the group, wanting and needing a response and gets…crickets. Having asked hundreds of leaders what they are thinking at that moment, about half say they wonder why people don’t care enough to say something or share their thoughts.

Read More

In the world of rapid technological advancement, it’s easy to be dazzled by the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI). But I think that there’s something even more powerful: the human element. AI has brought about astounding changes in how we work and live. Its ability to process data and automate tasks has transformed industries. However, there

Read More