If you want someone to hear your idea, start with the ending. Share the anticipated solution. Mention the expected win. If you say this: I was thinking about something; or this: I have some ideas about our team; the conversation might never take place. Instead, try these: - I know how to save us 25% on that deal we are negotiating. - I have several clients who will extend their contract with a 10% increase. - I want to share my idea that will cut 8 wee

Not the one from your boss. Not the one from your team. Not the one from your doctor. The deadlines to skip are the arbitrary ones we set for ourselves. Am I alone in this? This is what happens: I will decide I must finish a document by tomorrow at 5pm. The pressure starts building. I need to ask myself: What are the reasons for that deadline? Who is depending on the results? IF the answers are none and nobody, and it was just me thinking I needed it done, t

BEFORE learning something new, we need to do something else. Unlearn an old habit. Here is what worked for me: If I want to learn the new habit of scheduling downtime on my calendar, then I need to start with unlearning my old habit of saying yes to all requests. If I want to learn a new habit of being more present during all conversations, I will begin with unlearning my old habit of glancing at my phone when I hear a notification. If I want to achieve my new habit of listen

A classic always delivers. Today, I’m bringing back one of my tips with a refresh. When I first started my professional career, I was told to leave my personal self at the office door. I never learned how to do that, and that is a good thing. When we show and share our heart, we treat people like people. We need more of that in the workplace. Business really isn’t always all business. It’s also about the people who make it happen. Without the people, there would be no busin

If you pay attention to the problems, then that is all you will see. If you pay attention to the failures, then that is all you will see. Now, switch your focus to the opposite. Look for the good things: the best practices, and the wins. If you want to see all of it, pay attention to the negatives, AND to the positives. You need to see BOTH for a complete picture.

“They won’t know what to do IF I don’t tell them.” I have heard THAT said many times. My response: So what? Them: They will make a mistake. Me: What will happen after that? Them: They will try again. Me: And after that? Them: They might make another mistake. Me: AND? Them: They might learn a new way to do it. Me: And then what happens? Them: I can focus on my own work, not theirs. The point? They can learn from their mistakes, IF they are given the space to make mistakes. It

When we are muted, we don’t speak up in meetings, we hold back our thoughts, and we avoid difficult conversations. Although there may not be an actual mute button, we can feel like the mute button was pressed, because of other people’s words, their actions, and what we say to ourselves. Let’s have the conversations to say what we are thinking, to ask the difficult questions, and to share the crazy thoughts. Unmuting will lead to better discussions, and perhaps, the next best