This is the last video in our series on building trust through language choice. In our first segment, we explored choosing your language. Then, in part two, we discussed leaning away from that choice as a means to connect. Today’s focus? Speaking the language of others. A first step is to work to speak the … Read more
This is part two of our discussion on building trust through language. Last week we talked about identifying our preferred languages and how they show up. This week, I want to encourage you to try leaning away from those comfortable languages and styles. We all have tendencies that can help us but also hold us … Read more
In fall of 2016, I learned about a simple technique to explore business weaknesses with your team. Ask them this: “If you were a competitor, how would could you put us out of business?” I was very excited about this at the time — I shared it with clients, used it with Group Dynamic, and … Read more
About seven years ago I wrote a post about “disruption,” which was a common buzzword at the time. The basic point was this: It’s important to pay attention to people who are different than you, rather than to surround yourself with like-minded folks. Unfortunately, I titled it “Leaders Know When to Tolerate High Maintenance People.“ … Read more
Shortly after Patrick Lencioni’s Ideal Team Player was published, I wrote a piece explaining and extolling the virtues of Hunger, Humility, and People Smarts. These concepts hold up well, and I haven’t lost my passion for talking about them. I hire for them. I’ve counseled others on how to hire for them. These concepts frequently … Read more
This week, I want to touch on a big role of leaders, which is the importance of getting to know their people. When I was getting my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, one of the required classes was Career Counseling. I had worked at Group Dynamic for three years when I took this … Read more
Last week, I gave one of my couples “homework” to complete by their appointment this week. I handed them a piece of paper with a list of fifty or so open-ended questions, and I said, “Ask each other these questions this week and discuss your answers together.” I gave no other instructions. They came to … Read more
Vision is the two-fold ability to:1) Accurately see the current reality of your organization/situation.2) Creatively see the possibilities for the future of your organization/situation. Try this simple activity to make the concept of vision more concrete, actionable, and enduring: Step One: Make 2 lists. Each list will have three items. List #1: List three words … Read more
Star Wars nerds everywhere are scrolling to the bottom of this post to let me know I got the quote wrong. But, if you give me a few minutes, I will explain. Yes, the quote is wrong in the sense that Obi Wan actually said: However, I’d like to make a case that Obi Wan … Read more
You will need a piece of paper or a Post-It note for this blog. On that paper, write down an answer to one of these questions: Now, put the piece of paper aside and continue reading. Many of us drag our feet because of uncertainty. That’s normal. Because we’re leaders, we might fall into the … Read more