What a year 2020 was! I won't regurgitate all that happened. You know what happened. You lived it, just as I did.
As we head toward the turn of the year --just a few days off from today-- many of us in the Coaching & Leadership Training field think about Goal Setting.
As we head toward the turn of the year --just a few days off from today-- many of us in the Coaching & Leadership Training field think about Goal Setting.
"I'm not the same person I was a year ago and neither are you." So starteth an article in a local New Jersey newspaper (that I cannot read as it is behind a paywall.).
A week ago, I might not have subscribed to that sentence...but I do now.
A week ago, I might not have subscribed to that sentence...but I do now.
We cannot become what we are capable of becoming by staying what we are.
Lately, some of my clients have been asking for help with supervisory skills.
For example: "Our supervisors have never had any soft skills training. They need to learn how to treat people better.
Lately, some of my clients have been asking for help with supervisory skills.
For example: "Our supervisors have never had any soft skills training. They need to learn how to treat people better.
Clearly, with the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 has been a watershed year, a turning point that will be featured in the history books of the future.
A financial writer interviewed me about ways to safeguard yourself and prepare for job loss. In particular, she wanted to reach professionals that have been at one company for many years, who are often ill-prepared for the "shock and awe" of the pink slip.
The Way of Change (a poem for facilitators)
The way of change is the way of Life.
Learning and adapting, we flow
Flowing like a river, dancing like a breeze.
Convening and listening, we invite and welcome
Opening a safe space where thoughts can bloom.
The way of change is the way of Life.
Learning and adapting, we flow
Flowing like a river, dancing like a breeze.
Convening and listening, we invite and welcome
Opening a safe space where thoughts can bloom.
I was the Training Manager supporting the R&D unit of a global pharma-chemicals company. The business unit head from Frankfurt had flown to New Jersey for a management meeting and, to my great surprise, asked to see me.
Job Hunters are seeking to reach their next career goal, to find the job of their dreams. But how to do that? What would it take to land that job?
In the old days, what often worked was to peruse the "want ads" in the local newspaper. In today's world, new strategies are necessary.
In the old days, what often worked was to peruse the "want ads" in the local newspaper. In today's world, new strategies are necessary.
We all have blind spots. Trouble is, by definition, we are blind to them. Unless someone fills us in, we go along oblivious.
One piece of wisdom that I came across years ago resurfaced the other day in my twitterfeed...and it reminded me of an important life lesson.
One piece of wisdom that I came across years ago resurfaced the other day in my twitterfeed...and it reminded me of an important life lesson.
At this time of year, I often recall the "3 Word Exercise" that I learned from blogger Chris Brogan.
In a nutshell, he recommends visioning the new year ahead and letting 3 words filter out of the "big story" you have in mind.
In a nutshell, he recommends visioning the new year ahead and letting 3 words filter out of the "big story" you have in mind.
"Darkness reveals the heavenly lights."
For the past several years, a group of friends has gathered in December for the celebration of the Winter solstice. One of the group, a Franciscan sister, prepares a short and simple prayer for us to follow as we stand around a fire in the night.
For the past several years, a group of friends has gathered in December for the celebration of the Winter solstice. One of the group, a Franciscan sister, prepares a short and simple prayer for us to follow as we stand around a fire in the night.
There are organizations out there that are doing much more than making a profit and giving a return to shareholders. Some realize that they are providing jobs. Some realize that they are part of a community.
Some realize that they are giving hope to those who have lost much in life.
Some realize that they are giving hope to those who have lost much in life.
“Built into you is an internal guidance system that shows you the way home. All you need to do is heed the voice.”
I like that sentence from writer Neale Donald Walshe.
"Home" is You.
I think I am called to help people (myself and others) to 'tune into' it.
I like that sentence from writer Neale Donald Walshe.
"Home" is You.
I think I am called to help people (myself and others) to 'tune into' it.
"Never assume that the next guy knows what he is doing much less why."
Dave Davidson was one of my professors at Rutgers circa 1973. His specialty was Information Systems Theory.
Dave Davidson was one of my professors at Rutgers circa 1973. His specialty was Information Systems Theory.
Seasons Greetings,
At this festive time of year, our thoughts often turn to the gifts that we might give to others. I would like to offer you this thought.
At this festive time of year, our thoughts often turn to the gifts that we might give to others. I would like to offer you this thought.
Many years ago, my former pastor Fr. Doug preached on the theme that each of us is both Gifted and Broken. It resonated so deeply with me that it became one of my Nine Steps to OD:
At the time that I published it (back in 2005), I was attacked over the "broken" part.
At the time that I published it (back in 2005), I was attacked over the "broken" part.
Much of my work is about change. Helping companies to change through learning processes, for example. And helping my one-on-one clients to change through a coaching process.
Throughout it all, the essential challenge is, in a word, change. How to face it. How to embrace it.
Throughout it all, the essential challenge is, in a word, change. How to face it. How to embrace it.
“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.” - Joseph Campbell
Endings are hard, sometimes too much to endure, like when we lose a job, or lose a loved one...or lose a pastor.
Endings often trigger emotions. Sadness. Anger.
Endings are hard, sometimes too much to endure, like when we lose a job, or lose a loved one...or lose a pastor.
Endings often trigger emotions. Sadness. Anger.
Inspired by a colleague's list of tips for resilience and coping...
Here are six ideas for taking action in dark times.
Here are six ideas for taking action in dark times.
Recently, I came across an image online about "hustle" that said:
HUSTLE - Verb - 1. The only controllable pillar of success
Seeing the word hustle reminded me of when I played Pop Warner Football as a kid in grammar school.
HUSTLE - Verb - 1. The only controllable pillar of success
Seeing the word hustle reminded me of when I played Pop Warner Football as a kid in grammar school.
The project manager is like a samurai who comes upon a tiger in the forest. If he turns and runs, he will surely be eaten by the tiger. If he stands and faces the tiger, the outcome is uncertain.
Way back when during the TQM movement, I was trained to be one of my then-employer's Quality Facilitators. Part of that role included teaching the 8-step quality improvement methodology to teams across the businesses.
