07/24/2019

Who would guess this beautiful but dog-aggressive Shepard Mix named Lady would be such a powerful teacher? Although she had no awareness of it, she has been one of the most influential and challenging teachers I've ever had in learning to communicate more effectively. Lady’s lesson plans for me have been: 1) learning how to walk her without being pulled down, 2) controlling my anxiety when she lunged at other dogs, and 3) communicating effectively and consistently in a language she could

04/23/2019

I was waiting in an office to see a business owner for an appointment. The receptionist picked up a call, and after listening to the caller's request, did something surprising. Putting the caller on hold, she let out a loud, exasperated sigh, (tongue clicking, "UHHHH!!") rolled her eyes, and stomped off yelling "SARRAA!! CALL!" Her annoyance and irritation were clear, and unpleasant to be around. Not exactly making one feel "Hey, I'd like to be a customer of this company!" More like wondering -

03/24/2018

It's  not our fault that we make assumptions…it’s the way the brain works, right?  Yes…sort of. Our brains are like video recorders, taking in information all the time. Because everything is not of equal importance, the brain sorts information according to perceived importance and what is familiar. Then we begin to make assumptions about that data that can drive us to conclusions. HOLD ON! That’s where we need to take a second look. Specifically, we need to become AWARE of the assumptions are

10/17/2017

​For innovation to flourish, letting go of the old must occur. Disintegration may feel chaotic and create anxiety. It happens, for example, when the merger of two companies takes place, or the blending of two families occurs. You can never go back to the old way, but the new way is still evolving. By definition, we are in limbo during this transition. From constant world changes and the push of technology, to the effects of a globalized economy, we are challenged to change and live with

08/07/2017

Have you ever noticed how free a toddler is when exploring something new? They are 100% in the moment, completely engrossed with the experience. They aren't evaluating their performance, wondering how they compare to others, or worrying about looking good. They are great learners - willing to try things out, experiment, explore for the sheer joy of it, unattached to a particular outcome. How many times have I worked myself into a frenzy of frustration over some computer or software issue I

05/31/2017

"Give Light and People Will Find the Way." - Ella Baker What lights you up and fills you with passion? When have you gone further than you ever thought possible, what fueled you in getting there? What might you have in common with top leaders? Forbes Staff writer Jacquelyn Smith in "What Inspires the World's Top Leaders" references LinkedIn's Influencer's Program whereby thought leaders share what inspires them. Add a few google searches and one finds a plethora of ideas about what fuels