If you’ve been following for a while, you’ll notice that this blog is loaded with lists. That’s because hard-working people respond well to quick and actionable ideas and tools. Something else that you may have noticed is that I’m usually generic regarding list content. I want the lists and list information I post to have … Read more
I really appreciate—and have totally used—Brené Brown’s tools. You can find downloadables on her website. Brené Brown recommends the following phrases to push vulnerable and trusting conversations forward: “The story I make up…” Often, we have an experience and don’t know the whole story. Then, our imagination fills in a story. For example, Jack might … Read more
We often use the words shame and guilt interchangeably, but this causes problems. If we avoid tough conversations in order to save someone from shame, what we actually might be doing is avoiding important information that simply makes someone feel a little guilt. In a nutshell: Guilt – “I did something bad.” Shame – “I … Read more
I wrote a post back in 2015 that talked about leaders not saying “busy.” The word itself is so commonplace in our every day lives that we say it without thinking about it or considering its meaning. But the word itself can mean several different things, depending on the context and implication. That’s why I’m … Read more
Last week, we talked about numbing as a way of putting on armor. Brené Brown points out that sarcasm, cynicism, and passive-aggressive behaviors are another way to stay distant and avoid vulnerability. The solution is to avoid those three things, and— be clear and kind. One thing I’ve always said in sessions with clients is … Read more
*This blog post contains affiliate links where the author receives a small commission on book sales. I spent 19 years as a high school band teacher. This can be a big job—class sizes of up to 150 students, managing a budget of tens of thousands of dollars, and administering a hectic calendar of events and … Read more
I have never suffered from perfectionism, but I’ve certainly felt the fear of failure. For me, it isn’t perfectionism that produces the fear; it’s competitiveness. I like being the best at things. One year, about 15 years ago, my New Year’s resolution was to be the best Scrabble player in the state of Iowa. Then, … Read more
*This blog post contains affiliate links where the author receives a small commission on book sales. As promised a few weeks ago, I’m going to spend the next seven weeks sharing some of my favorite insights from Brené Brown’s bestseller Dare to Lead. Dr. Brown is well-known for her work on shame and vulnerability, and … Read more
Last week, we discussed insecurity and how our insecurities affect our lives and our work. This week, we’ll discuss the importance of understanding personality differences, and how that can enhance culture and build trust. You can download Dr. Mark Scullard’s short ebook, The Invisible Drain on Your Company’s Culture, for free here. Insecurity can be … Read more
What comes to mind when you hear the word insecurity? Do you cringe at the word itself, because talking about insecurity is such a taboo topic? Is there a certain individual who you’d describe as being insecure? Do you view people’s insecurities as weaknesses? It’s almost too easy to peg the insecurities of others. We … Read more