For this month’s “Inspiring Women” column I reached out to Susan Denk, owner of White Crane Construction, because I’ve known her in many capacities over the years and have always been impressed by her leadership abilities. We are both WPO Chapter Chairs and have been clients of each other as well – Susan is a joy to work with and a…
How to Combine Feedback and FeedForward to Improve Performance When most of us hear the word “feedback,” our minds go to a place of discomfort, possibly even dread. Our palms may start to sweat as we mentally replay all the tasks we’ve worked on lately, just waiting to hear what we’ve done wrong. Sounds familiar, right? But feedback is really…
As we approach the new year, it’s common to set resolutions for what you want to change and improve. We get motivated and usually stay on track for a while. Then, a few weeks into the new year, you’re asked how those resolutions are going. “What resolutions!?,” you say. It seems inevitable when we create goals for ourselves that more often…
I was honored to feature my friend, Mahtab Rezai of Crux Collaborative, in my “Inspiring Women” column for Minnesota Business magazine. The fact that her feature appeared in the “Women Who Lead” issue was no accident; I admire Mahtab as a leader both personally and professionally. Collaboration is Mahtab’s leadership style and she works to bring people together around solutions.…
Like many people, I feel reflective toward the end of the year and 2016 is no different. Taking the time to think about the year, both personally and professionally, gives me great clarity and informs my intentions for the coming year. As I get older, I more deeply appreciate my relationships and what people mean to me. Having lost my…
Client Highlight: Carla Anderson of C. Anderson Associates There are many ways to be generous. We’re all likely to receive a number of gift cards, gift baskets and delectable treats delivered to our offices. All are appreciated – it shows the person or company thought of you and wanted to show their gratitude for the relationship and services exchanged. We…
As another year rushes to a close, most of us feel compelled to reflect and take stock of the year. We’ll ask ourselves things like, what did I accomplish? What did I contribute? What did I learn? What is unfinished? While these reflections are timely, waiting until year-end provides a last minute, rearview mirror look at things. Imagine what would…
When I decided to feature my friend, former EOS client and WPO colleague Julie Allinson, Founder and President of eyebobs, I knew I was in for a laugh. Never one to disappoint, Julie did have a few of her famous one-liners but also opened up about growing eyebobs, selling part of the business, and now letting go after a new CEO…
This morning, I was fully present to the sunrise. I don’t mean just observing the great colors, or simply noticing how the rolling clouds seemed almost artificial in their picturesque arrangement. In and of itself, the sunrise was spectacular, but today I was present in a way that, in a breath, everything else was magically erased. As I watched the…
We all know the value of hard data, how numbers and measurables can help keep emotions, opinions and subjectivity out of things. Hard data can help us make reasoned, logical decisions. It isn’t, however, the only kind of data. The other important kind is intuitive data, which some of you may know as gut instinct. This is the feeling you…