Why do personal conflicts escalate so quickly with non-profit volunteers? Why do factions form like tribal alliances on Survivor? What’s the secret to harmonious teamwork? I was asked to facilitate a mid-year review and planning meeting for a group of 15 active volunteers who rescue German Shepherds in Northern California. As each person introduced themselves…
DetailsI know… people wear you out. You avoid prolonged contact at chatty parties and go home early to recharge. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. It’s just your preference. Then again, exercise also wears you out. Who wants to experience pain if they can avoid it? However, at some point you realize exercise…
DetailsI am, and have always been, a peacemaker. Conflict makes me edgy. I feel a personal responsibility to lighten the air with humor when two people are going at it in a heated exchange or hostile negotiation. Early in my career, I felt compelled to make others laugh so they would chill out on the…
DetailsI had two different managers in a large corporation who both achieved their management positions by first being effective individual contributors. They were star players who were naturally recognized by senior management as great examples to lead a team. It was a good call. Both performed very well as managers and replaced themselves with other…
DetailsAre you trying to hold attention and be remembered when you speak to your team at work? Whether you are speaking live or on video, attention spans are extremely short and it doesn’t take much for your audience to click off and multi-task. I’ve interviewed hundreds of executives on webinars and a long-running technology talk…
DetailsBeing a mom’s not a job, it’s more like a mission For some it’s an accident, for some a decision Whatever the reason, the reason it’s rough Is that you never believe you are doing enough For these kids who at first need your help every day But eventually don’t want you to get in…
DetailsWe saw warning signs at mile seven. Jeff was already beginning to feel tightness in his legs. Due to ongoing chemo treatments, he was only able to do up to a 15-mile run in his training. Brad and I looked at each other and realized it was going to be a long day for Jeff.…
DetailsWhat’s holding you back from speaking? I’ve been coaching people for years on how to speak without fear, and one common fear I hear from English as a Second Language speakers is that they will be judged too harshly on minor pronunciation and grammar mistakes. I’ve found the opposite to be true. Most native English…
DetailsMuch has been written about Jeff, Brad and I running marathons together. I even managed to finish a full Ironman. Jeff and wife Ramona climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. And we do all these things to raise money for a cure for Multiple Myeloma, because Jeff has been a survivor for over 6 years now. The story…
DetailsIn 1992, MTV’s “The Real World” launched the so-called reality show trend we love/hate today. But we later learned that even that first “reality” show wasn’t completely real. Show producers set up scenarios to create conflict between cast members and even asked them to “replay” scenes for the camera crew to capture. The alluring promise…
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