Welcome To Our Archives

Please contact us for subscriptions or more information on any subject

Attitude:  Attitude is Everything!  I have used this old cliché for so many years, I can't even identify the original source.  Today, it has found its way to the titles of web sites and books.  Still, this simple statement carries a profound meaning and significant impact for our lives.

 

Boundaries:  We often experience situations that blast through our comfort zones causing a sudden adrenaline rush with anxiety or fear. We all have and need that invisible protective shell around us. We all have and need boundaries.

 

Burnout:  Almost every leader will deal with burnout in some way at some point in time. It may affect you personally bringing a sense of mental or physical exhaustion. You may even develop an attitude of indifference or a sense of failure.

 

Celebration:  The idea of getting together with others to socialize and share happiness is always uplifting. Parties offer us something to look forward to. Celebration and the sharing of good times can strengthen relationships and relieve stress. 

 

Change:  I love change - as long as I'm not the one that has to do the changing! As much as some might like to avoid it, change is inevitable. The very progression of time creates change.

 

Choices:  But the truth is that no one makes you mad.  You make yourself mad.  People do what they do.  You decide if those actions "rub you the wrong way."  It's a choice!

 

Commitment:  Keeping commitments, like all acknowledged virtues, is dealt with by each individual internally and is always a matter of choice. Once made, commitments often create obligations that can be very difficult. It is in this difficulty, in the struggle, that character is built, integrity established and trust forged.

 

Conflict:  It is no surprise that folks would avoid conflict. Conflict often increases stress, slows progress, reduces productivity and destroys relationships. But it doesn't have to be this way! Conflict is not the cause of these negative outcomes. Negative outcomes are the result of how we react to, and deal with, the inevitable conflict we face in daily life.

 

Confrontation:  From time to time, everyone is bothered by a situation in which someone’s behavior, action, or lack of action has created a problem or concern. You may feel let down, upset, agitated or angry. You don’t want to just “let it go” but aren’t quite sure how to react. You don’t want the behavior to continue but you don’t want to make things worse.

 

Core Values:  Our spirit controls our conduct, shapes our attitudes and provides the basis for how we perceive our world. And our spirit is directed by core values. It is not a question of whether or not we have core values. We do! We need to ask; "What are those core values and are we aware of how they impact us?"

 

Difficult People:  They come in all sizes and shapes and have a wide range of personality styles. There are bullies, whiners, exploders, under-miners, egotists, pessimists and people who just push your button, Whatever the style, they are out there and you have to deal with them.

 

Diversity:  The only thing we all have in common is that we are different.  Any one of these differences offers an opportunity for judgment and intolerance. Each identification of a difference also offers an opportunity for acceptance and inclusion.

 

Expectations:  I have received so many questions and concerns related to unmet expectations in the workplace that I coined a new phrase:  "Great expectations lead to great disappointments." 

 

Feedback:  No!  I'm not talking about the stuff that that turns six strings into a screaming guitar.  I'm talking about the type of open, honest, direct communication that is critical to the process of identifying real opportunities for improvement.

 

Goals:  The new year is a time for new goals and new commitments.  Why is it that these hopes, plans and resolutions are often abandoned before the end of the first quarter?

 

Ideas:  Once upon a time Idea lie hidden in darkness.  Idea was without form or function.  Isolated and without substance, Idea had little hope of growing into anything real and meaningful.  She was afraid.

 

Learning:  We are constantly reminded of the importance of exercise to health, strength and stamina.  The brain, like all other parts of our body, requires on-going engagement to minimize the effects of aging.

 

Mistakes:  In these days of quality wars, there is an ever increasing demand to reduce errors and improve quality.  But in work, and in life, the fear of failure can impede progress!

 

Triangles:  As a manager, employees come to you with complaints about other employees.  A peer has a concern, problem or issue with another worker and they come to you to discuss the problem.  You suddenly discover that someone has been talking about you behind your back.

 

Trust:  Success, for any individual or group, depends on positive relationships.  Trust is the critical factor for building and sustaining positive relationships.  Unfortunately, trust is often elusive and frail.

 

Truth:  At the interpersonal level, truth is tempered by concerns about the feelings of others or what others might think of us.  And worst of all, we often don't want to hear the truth and may even hide necessary truths from ourselves to avoid the challenge of change.

 CTC - dedicated to helping individuals and organizations achieve to their full potential