Articles/Blog
Power of Eight – A Book Review
The Power of Eight by Lynne McTaggart turns the self-development paradigm on its ear. The book describes a number of scientifically validated studies of the healing power of intention, but more importantly also reveals the mirroring positive impact that the sending of good intentions has on the sender of these intentions. People from across the…
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…
Ralph Simone on leadership: You have to be a life-long learner
Ralph Simone is on a mission to help people become more effective. That mission was recently advanced with an interview by Stan Linhorst of the Syracuse Newspapers, in which Ralph’s leadership and personal life philosophies were explored. Ralph reflects on the impact of life experiences – from newspaper deliveries to sports to Sweetheart Market –…
Search Inside Yourself – A Book Review
Like so many of our clients, I have struggled with meditation practices. It can be challenging to learn how to get our minds to quiet down and simply not think, and when we don’t immediately find success, we label our attempts as “failures.” This cycle of disappointment can often prevent us from wanting to try…
Work-Life Integration
I have always been fascinated with the concept of integration – as opposed to balance – in terms of time spent inside and outside of work. Gandhi’s quote, “We are one indivisible whole,” recently caused me to challenge the artificial separation that the concept of “work-life balance” implies. That challenge was reinforced by an interview…
Team Marvel
What can you do when a team isn’t performing to its potential? High performing teams – the idea that the sum is greater than the combined efforts of the individual parts – sometimes elude even the best and most talented performers and leaders. And tiny tweaks, it turns out, can make all the difference. For…
Can You Hear Me Now?
I just heard it again today: “Sometimes my voice isn’t heard.” I’ve heard this complaint from leaders at all levels–individual contributors, middle managers, and senior level executives, and it’s a critical issue. When people don’t feel heard, they often believe they’re not being fully utilized for all they have to offer – and often, they’re…
Big Potential, Shawn Achor – A Book Review
The new book by Shawn Achor is an excellent read for anyone looking to transform their pursuit of success to raise achievement, happiness and well-being. “Big Potential” shares many examples and research showing that our potential is not limited by what we alone can achieve, but rather by how we complement, contribute to, and benefit…
The Benefits of Feedforward In Team Performance
Wait – what’s that? “Feed…forward”? Yes. Much more than a buzzword, feedforward more aptly describes what we mean when we suggest feedback is needed in our teams and organizations. It is widely agreed that for individuals, teams and organizations to improve, we must have dialogue around what works and what needs adjustment. We also know…
Attention Under Siege
There used to be a time when pumping gas was an opportunity for me to take a pause, a mindful moment, if you will. I would focus on my breath or simply count backwards from 100 to create a sort of mini-vacation for myself. Now, however, my attention is under siege at some gas stations…