We’re often very quick to tell people what to do. It seems easy and effective. “You have a problem; I have the solution.” Someone comes to me with a problem and I give the solution. Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do? During a crisis, quick problem-solving is usually in... read more →
Aug
16
Jul
02
The Importance of Being a Good Listener and Not Just a Wise Talker Are you listening? Or more specifically, are you an effective listener? Many people are plugging their ears with iTunes, iPhones, videos, radio, TV, etc….passively receiving data. These activities have their place. But if that’s the only way that we... read more →
Apr
17
Team building and high-functioning teams are hot today, and they should be especially in today’s high-demand, highly matrixed organizations. But is it possible that a team could actually be too close or tight and lose its effectiveness? (more…)
Feb
27
This might seem like an odd question. We might think that everything that we undertake is highly intentional. We set our alarms; we get up; we get ready for work; we drive to work; we do our jobs, etc. But how much of our lives do we actually live on “autopilot?” It's... read more →
Jan
21
What is important to you this year? Personally? Professionally? Physically? Spiritually? Other areas? Earlier I challenged you to think about your values. This is a way of thinking more deeply about what you will and won’t do this year. Now it's time to take it a step further. Writing it... read more →
Jan
07
This question is for you alone to answer. Do you know what is going to be most important to you this year and what’s not? This is not about group-think and what everybody else is doing or not doing. It’s about what you are going to value this year. It’s... read more →
Nov
29
Summer has certainly ended and so must this series on Relationship Mastery. Professional relationships are challening and often very intense. There definitely is an emotional side to business and we can contribute to it positively or not. The bottom line is that while relationships are a two-way street, you can... read more →
Sep
28
We’re still having summer weather here in Houston. It was 99 degrees today and that is after a “cool” front blew in! So we’re OK to continue to wind down with this summer series. It’s time now to move toward the solution. But let’s review what we’ve covered so far:... read more →
Aug
31
Relationship Mastery Series III Here’s the challenge….we have to engage in relationships to get work done. The question is HOW do YOU typically go about engaging these relationships, especially when you’re under some kind of stress? Are your behaviors typically the result of thoughtful responses or automatic reactions? This is... read more →
Aug
09
Relationships do not occur in a vacuum. We’re not merely a collection of random people who happen to be in the same organization at the same time. Once we join a group (including our families!) we become part of an emotional unit. Whether we like it or not, we are... read more →