My all-time favorite Christmas movies are A Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life  — two stories about reflection on the past in order to transform perspectives, behaviors, and actions that impact the future.   Scrooge is confronted by The Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol (1951) In A Christmas Carol , Ebenezer Scrooge has settled into his hardened heart of stone, spreading his misery and stench of “bah humbug” wherever he goes. He is visited by the dead gho

“The person who cares the most about your career advancement is you.”  I remember the first time I heard those words, they were very direct and very piercing. I wanted to be told, “That’s really unfair. They  should have made sure you had everything you needed to be successful. They knew that the job would be available soon. What even was the point of them  giving you a performance review if they   weren’t using it to prepare you for what’s next?” I wanted sympathy, I wanted

It’s 4:30 on Friday. You're mentally halfway out the door, dreaming of dinner plans or a quiet evening in. Then your boss walks in with a...

One of the most powerful ways to bring out the best in your team is to recognize and utilize each member’s unique personality and strengths. In our sessions, we use Gary Smalley’s personality framework — Lions, Otters, Golden Retrievers, and Beavers (more explanation of animal behaviors below). It offers a simple way to spot and leverage different workstyles. Recognizing different work styles (including strengths and blind spots), along with regular touch base meetings, can h

When it comes to motivating people at work, most of us jump to the obvious answer: more money. And don’t get me wrong, money definitely matters.

Hiring the right employee isn’t just about skills or experience—it’s about values. Skills and experience are important – no doubt!  But what if you hire someone with all of the right skills and experience but they are not aligned with your organization’s core values? 

Let’s be honest, most people don’t look forward to meetings. They can feel like an unnecessary nuisance that pulls us away from getting...

We’ve all heard it—or maybe even said it: “That’s not my job.”  On the surface, it might sound reasonable. People want clear...

When we avoid accusatory statements, the chances of constructive conversations and real resolutions skyrocket.

Work can be fulfilling, but there are factors that can drain your energy and passion if not managed well. Some common energy drainers...

Once properly defined, values must be lived out by everyone on the team and that starts with leadership. The leaders set the example, and if

Recently, we were asked by a potential new client (a referral from another client) what our sustainability and growth trajectory looked like

Meetings are a necessary part of organizational life, yet they often come with a reputation for being unproductive.

Believe it or not, success in today’s workplace requires more than just showing up and doing your job. It demands an intentional effort to h

Everyone craves a workplace where they can be left alone to do their job without being constantly micromanaged.

One of the most uncomfortable things for humans is dealing with conflict. Naturally, people swing on two extremes of the pendulum by either

Personality types and tests have been an intriguing, interesting and popular feature in the landscape of work and home. Over the years there

Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all and not one particular personality type is best suited for leadership over the others. Effective leaders

Hi, Jon, I am new to leadership and this is my first job where I am responsible for leading a team of people. One area that I really want t

What does it mean to be a servant leader? The term servant leadership has been around for hundreds (really thousands) of years.  Over the y