by Larry Dressler | Apr 21, 2021 | In My Tool Bag
When teams need to talk about big ideas, complex challenges, or emotions, it can be hard to know where to start. In these cases, words can be inadequate means for getting a team to talk. Among the tools in my travel satchel are markers, post-its, and tape and, also a...
by Larry Dressler | Mar 22, 2021 | In My Ear Buds
One year into the pandemic, it’s a certified fact that the way we work is changing — dramatically. Some of the most notable changes include the growth of remote work, globalization of distributed teams, flatter structures, more focus on gender and racial equity,...
by Larry Dressler | Mar 11, 2021 | On My Mind
Imagine your team is a living organism — one whose health relies on a network of pathways that carry all the necessary nutrients to its various parts. Now imagine that the lifeblood of your team is made up of requests and promises. Think about this for a moment: There...
by Larry Dressler | Feb 26, 2021 | In My Tool Bag
In the world of gymnastics, the dismount is the last thing a judge sees before determining an athlete’s score. When an athlete concludes their routine with perfection commentators often say that they “stuck the landing!” Too often, leaders bring people together to...
by Larry Dressler | Feb 18, 2021 | On My Mind
Years of research show that top-down declarations and being “talked at” demotivates people, discourages the expression of diverse perspectives, and stalls organizational learning and change efforts. This leaves me puzzled when, at least a few times a week, I receive...
by Larry Dressler | Feb 3, 2021 | On My Mind
Recently a client asked me, “what are the three things that matter most when it comes to creating a high-performance team?” Coming up with just three things was a formidable challenge. I can name ten. But three… After giving her question some thought, here’s what I...
by Larry Dressler | Jan 27, 2021 | From My Bookshelf
Everyday, I speak with leaders who are surrounded by people and yet admit that they feel lonely. Loneliness is defined in Vivek Murthy’s book Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World as “the subjective feeling that you are lacking...
by Larry Dressler | Jan 14, 2021 | In My Tool Bag
I am not a big fan of new year resolutions. Yes, I am a very goal-driven person, but the idea of adding more commitments to an already full list of promises I’ve made to myself and others stresses me out. If you follow my blog you know that I am a fan of a book by...
by Larry Dressler | Dec 2, 2020 | On My Mind
If you have read part 1 and part 2 of this blog about coming back together, you have probably asked yourself the questions: What does coming together actually look like in the face of charged political differences? How do we build empathy and understanding across...
by Larry Dressler | Nov 23, 2020 | On My Mind
After describing the dynamics of polarization in a previous blog, this second installment will highlight Parker Palmer’s essay entitled, “Five Habits to Heal the Heart of Democracy.” It contains important insights on how we come back together in our families, work...
