To become an effective leader, you need to possess several essential capabilities—from influencing and inspiring others to making...

You sit at your computer, ready to start the work you've been promising yourself to complete. However, your inbox inevitably pings, your chat beeps and your phone rings. Just as you're about to begin, you instinctively reach for your phone, browse headlines, and scroll through social media—your focus shattering with each digital distraction. These interruptions, both external and self-imposed, have become our default mode rather than the exception. Many of us think we're skil

Approaching a conversation about improving a Team Member’s performance requires preparation, empathy, a focus on collaboration, and a clear path forward. Even though hearing the truth about their current performance will be tough and possibly hurtful, it’s a teaching moment People Leaders must embrace to help them become more resilient and adept at problem-solving and developing professional relationships. Here are several strategies for treating difficult performance convers

The best People Leaders are the best delegators. It not only boosts their team's efficiency but their own too.  Delegation is a vital management skill, yet it can be challenging to implement for many managers. Some may hesitate to delegate work for various reasons such as thinking it will take longer to explain tasks than to do them themselves, wanting to maintain a sense of indispensability by keeping certain knowledge, or feeling guilty about burdening others with addition

Every year, untold numbers of businesses are launched across the United States, and the unfortunate truth is that most of them will fail. Why is it that some businesses thrive and grow, while most close-up shop within a few years?   There are many factors, including access to capital, understanding one’s marketplace, an ability to innovate, and—not to be underestimated—some good old-fashioned luck. But there is one factor that nearly all business owners can control that may d

Developing the skill to say "No" respectfully in business is crucial. Overloading yourself with work can lead to severe psychological consequences, potentially resulting in burnout.   Setting boundaries and knowing when and how to say "No" are essential steps in creating a healthy work environment. Without boundaries, the risk of becoming overwhelmed increases significantly.   According to the World Health Organization, burnout is now recognized as an occupational syndrome, m

Imagine a workplace where every interaction is fueled by kindness. As a leader, you have the power to choose kindness, creating a lasting impact. Kindness, a celebrated virtue throughout history, is not just a nicety but a transformative force in leadership. Successful leaders understand the power of kindness, setting them apart and making them stand out.   The Basics   Kindness helps foster trust and respect, which are two of the most important components of successful leade

What is Emotional Intelligence? Emotional intelligence, or the ability to understand and manage one's emotions, is a crucial skill in both personal and professional settings. Coined by researchers John Mayer and Peter Salovey in 1990, the concept was later popularized by psychologist Daniel Goleman. Developing emotional intelligence can lead to improved relationships, better communication, and greater success in the workplace. What are the Top 5 Characteristics of Emotional

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

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

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

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...