Going From Setback to Bounce Back
Failing fast. Sounds good in theory but in practice it can feel very wrong—and be very painful. For most of our lives we’ve been told that failure is not an option. So despite the obvious benefits of experimentation, bouncing back from failure—much less bouncing back “fast”—remains a lofty ideal. And the challenges of failing fast...
ReadEnergetic Pauses: How a Focus on the Present Relieves Stress and Increases Productivity
“He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe is as good as dead, his eyes are closed.” – Albert Einstein Too much to do and not enough time—this is the modern leader’s dilemma. Our daily routines stress us out because it feels like there’s no time to breathe—much less think—in...
ReadYour Lead Positive Hero’s Journey (Part 2 of 2)
(Editor’s Note: For part 1 of this blog post, please go here) Your Hero’s Journey is the leadership story of what lies ahead in the pursuit of your goals. It is the story of the future you seek come true—your leadership vision realized. Last week, I discussed the first three phases of the Hero’s Journey: The Call,...
ReadYour Lead Positive Hero’s Journey (Part 1 of 2)
(Editor’s Note: For part 2 of this blog post, please go here) A story well told transports the listener to a different time, place and plane. It captivates emotions and provides an exciting trajectory of experiences full of hope, struggle, uncertainty and surprise! Stories show us how to live life. Stories help us lead. Leadership stories...
ReadRough Weather Makes Good Timber or How Asset-Based Thinking Came To Be
If my brother Jim had not died when he was 22 of a usually easy-to-survive illness called mononucleosis, I am sure I never would have written 9 books. I know I would not have founded The Stress Center at Saint Louis University. I certainly would not have dedicated my career to discovering what it takes...
ReadYour Greatest Weapon Against Stress
One of the main culprits wreaking havoc on our wellbeing and productivity is stress. Stress paralyzes by shifting us in to deficit-based thinking mode and holding us back from seeing and acting on the opportunities in front of us. For millennia, negative information has weighed more heavily on the brain to ensure survival. In neuroscience,...
ReadWhy Does Your Vision Matter?
Forbes.com recently published a list by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) of the 25 companies where top millennials most want to work. According to the list, healthcare companies and US government agencies are the most sought after. “These millennials have a passion for helping other people,” said NSHSS CEO James Lewis. In...
ReadThe Key to Employee Engagement? Appreciating Effort
Research shows that what employees want the most is: to be seen, to be heard, to be recognized, and to make a contribution. It’s not hard to see how fulfilling the first three items can lead to employees doing more of the fourth. If you want to help someone learn something—particularly anything that is complex...
ReadLeaders With Soul: Arianna Huffington In Her New Book Thrive
I recently read Arianna Huffington’s new bestseller, Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder, which I highly recommend for its focus on how to inject your life with positive, energizing moments. What struck me most about the book, however, was the way it shifted my perception...
ReadGive Yourself An A!
I’ve already written about how to give constructive feedback that motivates others, but did you know that the first step to fine-tuning your coaching skills is turning your attention inward? In the face of challenging goals, it is tempting to worry about how much more needs to be done. Let’s face it: More always needs...
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