I’ve asked quite a number of leaders whether there is such a thing as work life balance. Almost everyone says no without hesitation. They agree there are times we’re present, we’re grounded, we’re in sync with what matters, and we’re in the zone—feeling all the joyous personal and professional satisfaction we’re looking for. Yet, it’s as though the second we…
When things change it opens up space. Space in your mind, your environment, your beliefs, and your possibilities. You can focus on what you’re losing, what’s going away, how “hard” it will be or what you don’t like about the changes. You can also focus on what you’re gaining, what’s emerging, how “fun” it will be to learn and grow,…
When you have a challenging message to deliver, a sensitive conversation to have, a crucial conversation waiting to happen, it’s better to ask yourself how much trust you have in the relationship than plan the right words to say. If trust is high, you can use the wrong words, muck up the details, and basically enter into it unprepared because…
What if you treated every conversation as if it were the last opportunity you had? How would you relate differently to them? How would you listen? What difference would it make in your relationships? As I worked with a team recently about communication, I was reminded of how challenging it is to balance the demands of the day with the…
Changing behavior is challenging. When your habits have led you to success in various forms as a direct result of those habits, they’re doubly hard to break. When I think of being productive, it’s in my nature to use as many minutes of my waking hours as possible to create results. This leads me to push myself and work harder…
If you’ve heard the saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” you might apply it to being away from your loved ones and teammates as your longing for them increases while you’re away. However, there are situations where this phrase does not always apply. When you’re absent, physically, mentally, or emotionally from teammates at work, it can work in your…
“What can I help you with?” What a great question. It opens the door to learning, partnership, and collaboration. Many years ago, when I was in a state of overwhelm, I called a friend to talk and in the process of doing so I broke down in tears. She patiently listened and when I finished verbally vomiting on her, she…
Transitions. They’re challenging. Transitions require you to let go while you are also fumbling to embrace the emerging space of what’s next at the same time. Transitions are neither here nor there. Both places are uncertain. One is about completion, one is about possibility; and either way, you don’t know for sure. Like the acrobat shifting from one trapeze to…
I have a love-hate relationship with new technology. Prior to purchase, I look forward to it and the results of what it enables are seductive and motivating. If I find a deal online, it moves me to act. Whether I contemplate for a minute or a month, I am excited to be more efficient and effective by the thought of…
When you have the gift of time, with no schedule and nothing pressing you to get ready, what do you do? For me, my mind can race with possibilities. I feel an urgency to do the things that I’ve been procrastinating, to be active and exercise, to cook and hang art, change the décor of my house, read, write, paint,…
Curve balls. They happen. It’s when the stuff you couldn’t imagine or wouldn’t know was coming shows up and interrupts the previously scheduled plans you’ve had. They happen in small ways every day. If you’re over-scheduled, there’s no room for them and they result in anxiety, stress, and broken promises. There’s a simple fix for this one: schedule less, say…