Welcome Back, Reader Why do we call them "soft skills"? Soft skills are “soft, until you don’t have them, Then it’s hard.” --Chike Aguh, senior advisor of Harvard University’s Project on Workforce Aguh further suggested that the process of developing soft skills is similar to getting good at sports by adding, “You can’t read a book on how to do a jump shot.” I couldn't agree more with his sentiment! Organizations don't spend enough time assessing soft skills in job candidates, and much less...
18 days ago • 3 min read
Welcome Back, Reader Do Your Employees Feel Appreciated? Or do you just think they do? "There are two things people want more than sex and money: recognition and praise." - Mary Kay Ash, Founder of Mary Kay, Inc. While most everyone would like a raise or bonus, that monetary incentive is quickly forgotten. Appreciation doesn't have to cost anything. It can be as simple as a sincere 'thank you'... verbally or written. The problem? "While more than 80% of managers THINK that they are providing...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Welcome Back, Reader Does Your Team Really Have Psychological Safety? Or do you just think they do? "Our people speak up all the time in meetings!" But is it the same people who always speak up? "They feel comfortable bringing up issues to me!" But do they blame others when they do? "Everyone on my team is happy!" But are they only cajoling you with what they think you want to hear? Even worse... The higher up in the leadership chain that your role is, the further from seeing 'the bottom of...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Do You Have a Fixed or Growth Mindset? Let's look at some examples... "Your intelligence is something very basic about you that you can't change very much." "You can learn new things, but you can't really change how intelligent you are." "No matter how much intelligence you have, you can always change it quite a bit." "You can always substantially change how intelligent you are." Did you find yourself agreeing more with the first two phrases? ...or with the last two phrases? In her book 'Grit...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Welcome Back, Empowered Leader, I'm so glad you're here, Reader! I Have What? I had been expecting the depression diagnosis... it's why I had come. What I had not expected was the diagnosis for anxiety, too. Why? I had my own idea of what anxiety was... an image in my head of how it looked. I was wrong. Instead, I learned that my anxiety had been around for quite a long time. For so long that it was how I identified myself to be - normal, I thought. Now I knew differently. Until you know...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Welcome Back, Empowered Leader, I'm so glad you're here, Reader! Leading with Honesty vs. Being "Nice" Not all leadership journeys begin smoothly. Sometimes, honesty is the most effective tool for a new leader's growth. Reader, let me tell you a story, where my initial skepticism turned to success... I inherited a team where a promotion had already been unofficially promised to a team member. This individual, let's call him John, wasn't prepared for the leadership responsibilities the role...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Welcome Back, Empowered Leader, I'm so glad you're here, Reader! According to Gartner What is HR's #1 Priority in 2024? Hint: it's YOU! According to Gartner, "Leader & Manager Development" is the #1 priority for HR in 2024. You know that makes my heart happy... since this is my mission, too! Our front-line & middle managers in the world of corporate have struggled for too long. Being promoted with little to no training in leadership, stuck between staff needs and meeting the next corporate...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Welcome Back, E.M.P.O.W.E.R.E.D. Leader, I'm so glad you're here, Reader! What Does It Mean To Be E.M.P.O.W.E.R.E.D.? The dictionary defines "empower" as: "giving (someone) the authority or power to do something" "making (someone) stronger & more confident, especially in controlling their life or claiming their rights" How do YOU define "empower", Reader? Most of us have many stories of bad bosses... I remember the one who tried to be everyone's friend, but wasn't a leader. Or the one who had...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Welcome Back, Empowered Leader, I'm so glad you're here! Why Do MEN Feel Comfortable Working With Me? Maybe it's because I grew up with all boys in my family and in my neighborhood. I played with Hot Wheels, robots, legos, sticks & sand. Maybe it's because I was a Daddy's girl. I helped build things, load up multiple cords of firewood, drive 4-wheelers, and hike in the woods. Maybe it's because my career started off in the sciences and IT. I majored in chemistry and worked with mostly men in...
5 months ago • 2 min read