Getting Wiser (Part 4): Embrace Vulnerability
If there is a holy grail of leadership (especially for men), embracing vulnerability might be it. Vulnerability means being open about one’s weaknesses and struggles, and empathetic to others’ when they are vulnerable. It is not always easy to be vulnerable, and especially so for people in positions of leadership. Why is vulnerability so difficult? […]
Are You an Over-functioning Leader? Part 3: Changing How You Lead
In part 1 of this blog series, we explored what over-functioning looks like and the price people and organizations may pay for this behavior. In part 2, we examined some of the underlying beliefs and behavior patterns that tend to cause over-functioning. In this third and final installment, we will take a look at how […]
Are You an Over-functioning Leader? Part 2: Understanding Why
In Part 1 of this blog series I outlined “over-functioning” in the workplace and invited you to assess whether you may be attempting to help in ways that are not-so-helpful. We also explored some of the subsequent costs to you, your people, and your organization. Why do leaders over-function? Most leaders who over-function have been […]
Are You an Over-functioning Leader? Part 1: Looking in the Mirror
Several years ago I served on the board of directors of a non-profit organization I co-founded. Fueled by my passion for the organization’s mission, I would often be the first to volunteer for a project and was by far the most enthusiastic and prolific fundraiser. My impulse to immediately jump in made it easy for […]
Recognizing and Dealing with Defensiveness
It’s not easy to give critical feedback. Especially when the person on the receiving end gets defensive. Here are five common types of defensive responses. How many have you encountered (or perhaps even caught yourself engaging in)? Deny or Argue Intent: Cause internal doubt for the person delivering the critical feedback. Sounds like: “That’s crazy. […]
Discover Your Inner Saboteurs
For many years I’ve been asking my coaching clients to complete a free online self-assessment instrument developed by Shirzad Chamine, Stanford University lecturer and author of the New York Times bestselling book Positive Intelligence. His assessment helps identify “saboteurs,” the voices in your head that generate stress and undermine your potential for happiness and effectiveness. […]
Six Countercultural Declarations
An excerpt from Parker Palmer’s book, Hidden Wholeness, chronicles the ways in which blizzards – like life – can be overwhelming and disorienting. It’s a reflective piece about how swirling events and social forces can pull us farther and farther away from authenticity, integrity, and the things that nourish our souls. Consider these six unrelenting […]
Ten Ways to Be an Exceptional Facilitative Leader
In our work and volunteer lives, meetings tend to get a “bad wrap”. But, bringing people together in person – and virtually – is still the most powerful way to accomplish shared goals. When we participate in meetings, we want the time spent to feel important, productive, and energizing. After gathering with others, we want […]
“It’s Nothing Personal” by Lisa Husseini
“Taking life personally, whether you’re aware you’re doing it or not, is a lose-lose situation. Either you’re blithely unaware that you’re deep in victim mode and taking it out on the world around you, or you’re highly aware that you are trapped in an emotionally torturous box of your own making.” -Lisa Husseini Let’s say […]
Making the Case for Change
When it comes to organizational change, sometimes it’s hard to know how to begin. How do you assess if people are ready? How do you identify potential resistance? How can you motivate people to commit to a new direction? How might you engage them in shaping the future? People resist change for many reasons, including: […]