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We’re the absolute best at what we do! In the world!
Is that really true? And more importantly, is that what our customers and stakeholders need from us?
It’s good to step back and ask this kind of question periodically, because it’s easy to fall in the trap of trying to be the absolute best at something people don’t really care about.
Read the rest of this entry »Sometimes I find it hard to see a positive future. Perhaps you also have days where it feels like you’re stuck in problems and drudgework.
I’ve found that it’s really much more about my own attitude than what’s happening outside me. I’m the one who’s stressing myself out.
I suppose this might happen to you as well?
Read the rest of this entry »One of my challenges is being able to constantly flip between the big picture and the detailed picture. And I know others can struggle with this too.
I’ve been neck deep in spreadsheets, which is not exactly my most favorite place to be. And then I get yanked over to dealing with someone who felt ignored. Then over to that email conversation I forgot to reply to yesterday.
Sometimes it feels like I’ve done nothing but look at details.
Read the rest of this entry »I ran across a powerful idea some years ago which has really helped me to get control of certain parts of my life.
The concept is called a “habit trigger”, and is used when you want to develop a new habit but have trouble remembering to do it. It might be exercise, or unloading the dishwasher, or a skin care routine.
Quite simply, the trick is to attach your new habit to something else which is already habitual for you.
Read the rest of this entry »It seems like we’re immersed in noise these days. Audible sounds, sure, but also advertising and media and news and arguments and ….
Here’s the question: Are you adding to it as a leader?
People aren’t productive in noisy environments, unless they’ve found ways to mentally shut it out. That’s why many wear earbuds, or have “focus time”, or crave time away from meetings.
Read the rest of this entry »I love the coaching approach because it tends to look optimistically at the future. In regular life, we all fall into traps of being depressed about how messed up things are, and how impossible it will be to surmount the obstacles in front of us.
What you have to realize is that it’s mostly a story in your head. Sure, there are barriers and challenges ahead. But that’s been true since the day you were born.
And you overcame most of them, right?
Read the rest of this entry »Most businesses are quite complicated. With customers, employees, partners, regulations, financials, industry dynamics … it’s a whole lot to wrap your mind around.
Don’t get me wrong — that’s all necessary.
The problem is that your team can get lost in all that detail. The larger the organization, the smaller each person’s contribution feels. So motivation slowly ebbs and nobody even notices.
Read the rest of this entry »We live in an imperfect world. Which means that things are always less than ideal, less than perfect.
There are three ways to come to peace with this fact: First, to change the world to be what you want it to be. Second, to change your expectations to agree with what the world gives you.
But there’s a surprising alternative:
Read the rest of this entry »There have been a whole lot of distractions lately! I’ve had a tough time getting back to what’s important in the new year.
And this picture is so incredibly appropriate to me and the topic! I couldn’t resist. OK, Carl, get back on track.
I have a “short list” of weekly topics sitting in front of me, and that really helps. It has a handful of tasks that I need to pay attention to. And I found it important that this is on an actual sheet of paper on my desk, not hidden in a window that I’ll probably cover up.
Read the rest of this entry »After a big event or a holiday, it can be tough to get your energy focused back on what you need to get done. Actually, that’s the way you know a holiday was valuable: you were able to shift to other things for a while, and it’s kinda tough getting back in the groove.
I took a good long holiday break this Christmas, so I’m experiencing that now. It’s actually a good feeling.
But now I have to get focused again.
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The Values-Based Business 