The Blog
A collection of ideas and resources.
You’re playing favorites (without realizing it)
We all want to believe that we treat everyone around us equally, or at least fairly. But the truth is that by human design, our brains automatically play favorites. This quick tip will help you do something about it.
The thing that got me through the workout I despise
Most of us find it easy to praise our “top performers”—the overachieving employees, prized students, and dutiful children—but we struggle to consistently affirm those who aren't quite as easy to lead. Unfortunately, this only further deteriorates effort and results. Try this approach instead...
Improve your feedback skills with this one trick
If you want your team to be more open to feedback; and you want to see them actually absorb and apply it, then this tip is a must-watch for you.
How to receive feedback
The ability to receive tough feedback is one of the most important, yet neglected, leadership skills. In this video, you'll learn a simple trick to help you become a master at receiving difficult feedback, even when you disagree with it.
A 10-minute team-building activity
You know your team would benefit from more frequent team-building, but you don't know what to do or how to do it (and you certainly don't have time to research or design a bunch of activities!). Don't worry, I've got you covered. Watch this video to learn how to incorporate quick team-building activities into your regular team meetings without any pre-planning required.
A tactic for navigating contrary views
In a world where opposing views often lead to confrontation or shutdowns, what if you knew how to keep the conversation going in a productive way? What if you could minimize defensiveness and foster collaboration instead? Leverage the simple strategy shared in this video to calm emotions and pave the way for healthy dialogue.
Was it really my fault?
What happens when we make a mistake? Most of us try to find something or someone else to blame before taking ownership; yet we expect others to take full ownership immediately when they slip up. The healthiest teams have a norm of admitting mistakes and apologizing to one another quickly. If your team isn’t there yet, it’s time to set the tone and lead by example.
Shaping Team Vibes: The Defining Factor
How would you describe the tone on your team? Optimistic? Energetic? Bored? Discouraged? The vibe of your team environment matters, and there is one thing that influences your team's vibe more than anything else. Find out what it is and how to leverage it in this quick video.
A free worksheet to guide your team through year-end reflection
Research tells us that, when we intentionally pause to reflect and learn from past experience, we feel more confident and competent moving forward. I want you and your team to feel more confident and competent going into 2024, so I’m sharing a tool to help.
The Question You’re Not Asking: Unveiling Blind Spots
In this video, I'm challenging you to ask a specific question in your upcoming one-on-ones to help uncover potential blind spots and gather the insights you need to better serve your team.
You don’t want to be “that manager”
Nobody wants to be "that manager" — you know, the one employees grumble about. So instead, we work hard to be a well-liked manager and end up over-rotating into some unhealthy leadership behaviors. Watch this quick video to identify your own worries and how they might be impacting your management style.
Are 1:1s really necessary?
So many managers feel unsure about 1:1s. With an already packed schedule, they’re hesitant to add more meetings to their calendar, and wonder if 1:1s are truly necessary when they already talk to their employees every day. I’ll tackle these two hesitancies in this week’s quick tip video. BONUS: download your free 1:1 cheat sheet!