by Larry Dressler | Jul 17, 2025 | On My Mind
In Part 1 of this series, I introduced savoring and rumination as two sides of the same cognitive-emotional coin. In Part 2 we explored three strategies to reduce the damaging habit of rumination. Now in the third, and final, installment of this blog series I’ll share...
by Larry Dressler | Jul 3, 2025 | On My Mind
In Part 1 of this three-part blog series, I described two cycles of thinking – savoring and rumination. Picture rumination as chewing the same piece of gum for hours and hours. The flavor is gone but you can’t seem to spit it out. In contrast, savoring is like slowly...
by Larry Dressler | Jun 20, 2025 | On My Mind
Are you a glass half-full or glass half-empty type of leader? I can tell you for sure that I lean toward the latter and must work hard to pause, see, and reflect on what’s working, what’s beautiful, what’s meaningful, and what’s possible in every situation. Which way...
by Larry Dressler | Jun 6, 2025 | On My Mind
One of my greatest joys is working with highly motivated executive teams – particularly within organizations that have moved from small and scrappy to mid-sized and more formal. A question many of these teams ask is: How do we make sure our team stays sharp and...
by Larry Dressler | May 16, 2025 | On My Mind
We live in an age of anxiety, and it is contagious. One of the most common self-defeating patterns I see in the leaders I coach is a failure to distinguish anxiety from legitimate urgency. You may be asking yourself: What’s the difference? Here’s how I define the two:...
by Larry Dressler | Apr 10, 2025 | On My Mind
In a collection of Jewish teachings known as Midrash, the 4th century Rabbi Tanchuma is cited as saying: “When you expect gratitude, you are making your kindness a business transaction.” We all have a tendency to believe that each day we act with unconditional...
by Larry Dressler | Dec 12, 2024 | On My Mind
In Part 4 of this series we identified six archetypal problem behaviors – patterns of participation, often unconscious and habitual – that distract from the purpose of our meetings and undermine productive engagement. The following five strategies will aid you in...
by Larry Dressler | Nov 26, 2024 | On My Mind
People don’t hate meetings because they are inherently horrible. They hate meetings that are poorly led – especially when it comes to tolerating problematic behavior. I define “problem behavior” as a pattern of participation, often unconscious and habitual, that...
by Larry Dressler | Nov 13, 2024 | On My Mind
Pilots don’t just throttle a jet down the runway and into the air. First, they check out the plane, set the GPS, and confirm the basics with their co-pilot. Likewise, the most successful meetings involve a “pre-flight protocol”. But too often eager leaders simply...
by Larry Dressler | Sep 12, 2024 | From My Bookshelf
“Conflict is an inside-out process. On the path to possible, the work within – the work with ourselves – precedes the work between – the work with others.” – William Ury Many amazing teachers have shaped the way I facilitate high stakes meetings, but few have...
