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...
by Larry Dressler | Dec 21, 2023 | On My Mind
How many times have you found yourself sitting in a meeting and silently asking: “What the hell am I doing here?” “Does ‘this’ actually justify being in a room together?” Maybe it’s a standing weekly meeting that no longer serves its original purpose. Or, a promised...
by Larry Dressler | Dec 8, 2023 | On My Mind
I’m not sure I need to convince you that there is an endemic dysfunction afflicting our workplaces – terrible meetings. Regardless of whether they are virtual or in-person, meetings can be really bad for a variety of reasons: Meetings aren’t taken seriously. People...
by Larry Dressler | Oct 26, 2023 | On My Mind
Each year organizations invest significant time and money in strategic planning efforts that, according to managers who participate, result in limited impact. Why do these efforts fail to produce the anticipated benefit? In my opinion it’s a lack of readiness or, more...
by Larry Dressler | Oct 13, 2023 | From My Bookshelf
After publishing my blog series about “over-functioning” in the workplace (you’ll find the links below), I wound up in many conversations with leaders who shared some version of the following: “OK, guilty as charged. I’m a chronic over-functioner. So, what’s the one...
