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a collection of ideas, reflections, and resources
A short video series: using neuroscience to drive performance & engagement
Two weeks ago, I launched a video series on this blog focused on helping you leverage neuroscience to drive employee engagement and performance. But I quickly realized that breaking it into several, individual posts made the content and learning feel disjointed; so...
Am I valued here? (S in SCARF model)
We're continuing our deep dive into how the human brain perceives and reacts to the workplace, and how you can use this awareness to create an environment that maximizes performance and engagement. Let's be clear: this is not soft, fluffy stuff. This is science, and...
The human brain at work
I’m very passionate about today’s topic. Lately, I have witnessed leaders neglecting it on numerous occasions. The negative impact of their neglect is significant—involving both human and business costs. Though my natural instincts ignite a protective ‘mama bear’...
Connection over perfection
We place a lot of pressure on ourselves to perform perfectly, know all the answers, and maintain a polished reputation. That's pretty stressful considering perfection is humanly impossible. What if, instead of aiming for perfection, we aimed for connection? And what...
The power of a circle
When you find yourself wanting team dynamics to change, or wanting a specific relationship to improve, what do you do? Probably a lot of things. I’m guessing you work hard to brainstorm and apply many different approaches to drive growth. But have you tried the circle...
Using the 5 languages of appreciation
We tend to communicate with others using style norms that come most naturally to us—direct vs. indirect, people-focused vs. fact-focused, etc. While not inherently good or bad, our ability to effectively communicate and truly connect with colleagues improves when...
How to solicit actionable feedback
Inviting others to help us uncover blind spots is one of the best ways to increase self-awareness and expedite growth. But it's hard. It can feel scary and humbling, and most often frustrating. Not frustrating because of the feedback provided, but because of the lack...
What gets recognized gets repeated
Though free and immensely impactful, giving thoughtful praise is one of the most untapped management resources out there. Let's change that. Giving meaningful positive feedback boosts employee engagement and performance—what gets recognized, gets repeated. On...
Better group brainstorming
How readily do your employees speak up in meetings? I mean ALL team members, not just the few who comfortably share great (and even not so great) ideas often. Unfortunately, simply asking the team to "share their thoughts" doesn't always ensure we'll hear all their...
What not to do when work gets hard
This week's Two-Minute Tip addresses a classic "what not to do" scenario. Don't worry, I offer some key "what to do instead" insights as well. Like many of the tips, this one was inspired by a recent client conversation and amplified with a personal experience. It...
A better way to give employee feedback
As a leader, providing feedback to your team is an essential part of your role. However, doing it poorly can backfire. This quick analogy illustrates a different approach to giving feedback—one that exercises the power of asking them to go first. Instead of eagerly...
The business case for reflection
If you like to move fast and question the benefits of pausing for reflection, I get you. I'm the same way. But the two research studies I share in this video have shifted my perspective, and they might just do the same to you. It's hard to believe, but slowing down...
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