Part 2 – Leading Better Meetings: Only Meet for the Right Reasons
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 status update that has turned into an endless presentation with […]
Drawing and Holding the Line
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 thing I can do that will help me establish a healthier way of […]
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? […]
Getting Wiser (Part 3): Look for the Good
“Mankind will not perish for want of information; but only for want of appreciation.” -Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel I used to spend a lot of time in airplanes and hotels, neither of which are places where humans tend to flourish. Travel days always felt frustrating and stressful… until I invented a simple, yet game-changing practice […]
Getting Wiser (Part 2): Partner with the “Unwanted”
At least 50% of surprises that come my way are unwanted by me. I know they are unwanted because my inner judge immediately labels them as dangerous, or bad, or inconvenient. I quickly double down on a conviction that the unwanted people or circumstances: 1) are being done “to me”, and 2) are the impediment […]
Getting Wiser (Part 1): Engage in Self-Reflection
During her first coaching session with me, a CEO client recently declared, “I don’t spend a minute looking backward. I’m all about the future.” My reply: “Well, then you’re not even close to reaching your full potential.” To her credit she didn’t fire me. Instead she laughed and asked me to explain. Here’s a version […]
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 […]
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 remember telling a colleague, “If […]