Our daily experiences are shaped by the power of our thoughts. Our beliefs and thoughts can influence how we perceive situations and events, which, in turn, can affect our emotions and behaviors. It's more likely to have a negative experience if we approach a situation with a negative mindset. On the other hand, if we approach the same situation with a positive mindset, we are more likely to have a positive experience.   The power of thoughts is a fascinating topic that is wo

What Is Company Culture?   A company's culture is a defining characteristic that sets them apart from others. It encompasses how employees interact within the organization and how the public perceives the company. At its core, company culture is a set of shared values and practices that shape an organization's identity. The more clearly defined a company's culture is, the more likely it is to attract top talent that aligns with its values. By prioritizing culture, companies c

Trust is a key component of healthy relationships, yet we've all experienced situations where it's been broken. So how can we develop and rebuild trust within organizations? A high-trust workplace allows for risk-taking, free expression, and innovation, resulting in successful outcomes. On the other hand, low-trust organizations are plagued by office politics and information hoarding, leading to slower and less effective decision-making. As leaders, we have a crucial role to

A negative mindset can have a profound impact on our daily lives. It can lead to feelings of social anxiety, depression, stress, and low self-esteem. It can also prevent us from taking action and achieving our goals. If you find yourself struggling with negative thinking, know that you're not alone. A negative mindset is often caused by fear, worry, self-doubt, pessimism, or past trauma. By recognizing these patterns of thinking and working to reframe them, we can begin to cu

Active listening is an important part of your communication skill set because it encourages openness, honesty, and success.  When you pay attention to your conversation partner, you show that person they are being heard, thus building trust and making that person feel like their words matter to you. One of the most critical skills in effective communication is active listening. Developing this soft skill will help you build and maintain relationships, solve problems, improve

Proper impactful feedback conversations do three things: 1. Always come from a good place and start with openness and humility. 2. Have positive intent, with the focus being on helping the receiver grow and develop, rather than to showing them they were wrong, or making them feel bad. 3. Invite the receiver into the problem-solving process and be part of the solution. Giving developmental feedback that sparks growth is a critical challenge to master, because it can make the d

A lot of people, including myself, will create goals for the New Year around work productivity. Productivity is the amount of work an individual or group accomplishes within a certain amount of time. Greater productivity means you complete more with less time or effort. You can measure accomplishments by the quality of the work, the number of tasks finished, or the amount of product created. Why is productivity important? 1. People with higher levels of productivity can reduc

Want to be a leader who is respected, admired and followed by others? Well then, start by serving them! Visualize two contrasting leaders... One leader commands and demands from their people. They spark more dread than drive within their team. The other leader is more hands-on. Working in unison with their team. They regularly ask, "What can I do to support you?" Guess who gets happier employees and better results? When it comes to leadership, there are several different mana

In a world that values certainty and guarantees, it's easy to overlook the power of "What If." But this simple inquiry has the potential to unlock new paths and inspire growth both personally and professionally. Asking "What If" can foster resilience and a growth mindset, leading to remarkable transformations. Don't be afraid to embrace the power of possibility and ask "what if" in your own life. What if you could reinvent your business? What if you could change your brand's

Understanding the Law of Diffusion of Innovation is key in navigating change.  This theory, visualized through the Change Adoption Curve by Everett Rogers, breaks down the acceptance of new ideas into distinct groups: Innovators, Early Adopters, Early Majority, Late Majority, and Laggards.  To foster a culture of change, focus on Early Adopters. Seek out these visionaries within your teams. They can champion new initiatives with zeal and influence, making them your allies in

The ability to think critically is an essential skill that can be applied in various aspects of our lives, including our careers. Critical thinking involves analyzing information and forming a judgment based on consistent standards. It requires being aware of your own biases and assumptions when evaluating sources.  To become a critical thinker, one must go beyond just being curious about the world around them. Critical thinkers make connections between logical ideas to see t

The key to handling conflict is to deal with it head-on. It's natural to want to avoid difficult conversations, but doing so only prolongs the agony and creates resentment. Here are four things you must do to prepare for a productive conversation:  1. Get your motives right. Under stress, our motives become short-term and selfish. Focus on the bigger picture and what's best for everyone involved. 2. Get your emotions right. Unhelpful emotions can hinder a productive conversat

There are many models, tips, tricks etc. when it comes to preparing for a training session. I like to remember the following model when...

It is important to take 'Tender Loving Care (TLC)' when creating your training sessions, and always follow the 'Training Life Cycle...

Having worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, and most of that time in Retail, I would estimate that I have sat in on over 5000...

It is common knowledge that not all resumes get the same attention from Recruiters and due to the volume some receive they are only...

As a leader, mentor, coach and manager, I constantly encourage my team and others to be very clear about setting their own goals and...

Whether you love them or hate them, they are part of our jobs and there is no escaping them. Who are they? What are they? …Presentations...

Strengthening employee engagement is crucial for the success of any organization. While metrics and surveys are helpful in identifying...