Purpose: Finding Your Sweet Spot

Purpose: Finding Your Sweet Spot

About five years ago I got really serious about articulating my professional purpose. At the time I was moving through a lot of life changes. I was spread thin across too many projects. The work was interesting but I felt like I was not having much of an impact. I...
Creating a Culture of Appreciation

Creating a Culture of Appreciation

Many of us work in organizations with high-achievement cultures and are ourselves driven by achieving meaningful goals. However, there is a shadow-side to the high-achievement mindset: First, it often focuses on perceived deficits – where did we fall short? Second,...
Five Lessons Surfers Can Teach Us about Strategy

Five Lessons Surfers Can Teach Us about Strategy

On a recent trip to California I ventured out to a place known as “surfer’s point.” The waves were more than 12 feet high and the undercurrent was strong. Looking up and down the coastline I counted nearly 100 surfers, young and old, testing their skills and courage...
Five Things to Do When You Join a New Team

Five Things to Do When You Join a New Team

A move to a new organization or different team within your current organization can feel disorienting and stressful. You want to earn respect, be liked, and find meaning in your new venture, but the stakes feel high. They hired you for this position – now you have to...
Do You REALLY “Get” Them?

Do You REALLY “Get” Them?

If you are going to lead – truly lead a team – there is one thing your people must believe and say about you; “my leader gets me”. This phrase is shorthand for: You know what motivates them to show up each day. You seek to understand and affirm their feelings and...