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Development
Stressed Leadership
There’s no shortage of stress in our lives; as adults in 2020, it’s present on our teams, in our organizations, and even in our homes. Because of this, there is no shortage of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, even when we’re not managing our lives and careers through a pandemic. Effective leadership requires a calm…
The Four Agreements
Over the last few months, I have frequently recommended to my clients the book “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. Published in 1992 it is a short book – only 138 pages – that shares some of the secrets and insights of ancient Toltec wisdom. The author advocates shedding of outmoded limiting beliefs that…
Distractions
Recently in a leadership coaching session, a client asked, “What is the secret to staying focused and not being distracted by the next shiny object or new idea?” This question comes up often, and my first instinct is to blame technology or the urgency addicted society that we are immersed in, which is enabled by…
Curiosity Did Not Kill the Cat!
The “curiosity” idea for this blog stemmed from a client interaction a couple months ago. During our leadership development session with her team, our client reflected on her interactions with others and the fact that she is always curious about why people think, feel, and act the way they do. And I thought, what a…
What is your morning routine and how is it working for you?
I have been a student of effectiveness for over 30 years and have always been curious about the rituals or routines that people perform on a daily basis. So when I spotted the book, “My Morning Routine – How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired,” I was intrigued. Secretly I was interested in seeing how…
Wearing Emotions on your Sleeve
A common challenge when working with organizations, teams, and leaders for developing more sustainable leadership performance is understanding emotional intelligence. We can define it, and most people know they need more of it, but we are often stymied by the area/competence called “Emotional Self-Control.” When not correctly understood, this competency often makes leaders feel they…
The Inner Pilot Light
Have you ever had the pilot light of your stove or hot water tank go out? What did you do? If you’re like me, you initially called your father, but ultimately you lit a match to reignite the flame. This reminds me of a saying that a former boss used to share regarding problem solving,…
What is Succession Planning, and Who Needs to Think About It?
In today’s business world, things aren’t quite as cut and dried as they used to be. Right up until recent times, small or family-run businesses were usually kept within the family. As one family member retired, another took their place. But nowadays, people are more frequently encouraged to follow their own paths, even if that…
Spark Mystery and Curiosity
I am reading a wonderful book called “Unthink” that is part of the curriculum for our LeadFORWARD program. The Emergent LeadFORWARD program is a year-long program for high-level leaders in organizations in Central New York. “Unthink” – like its title implies – reminds us not to just do the same things over and over again,…
Leadership Development – How Emergent Helps You Create Change
With the onset of technology, changes in society and new workplace ideals and attitudes, the business environment has changed greatly in just a few years. As a leader at your company, you may be faced with feelings of uncertainty. While you might feel confident that you can manage your workforce, you might not feel quite…