The conversations you have with your people and team members is the key to effective leadership ... talking, listening, understanding and caring. Conversations build and nurture relationships.

Express Your Appreciation Today

Jul 15th, 2013 1m 39s

Be alert today for opportunities to express your appreciation to others .... Tell them you noticed, tell them you're grateful .... Offer a few kind words in return. Give the gift of appreciation today.

Ask Solution-Focused Questions

Jul 8th, 2013 2m

Ask questions that tend to surface positive, constructive answers by "turning your question around" to focus on the positive "how" .... listen in for more ...

Pick One Thing to STOP Doing

Jun 25th, 2013 1m 57s

What will it be for you? What can you make a 100% commitment to stop doing ... to REMOVE from your life? Doesn't have to be permanent but could be. Choose today, then STOP IT.

Initiate Refocus Rituals Throughout the Day

Jun 18th, 2013 3m 2s

Stop two or three times each day ... pause your work in progress, forward your email, forward your phone, close your door to refocus and consciously decide on the important things to spend time on next and for the remainder of the day. It's eas

Give Praise Backed by Specificity

Jun 11th, 2013 2m 17s

Whenever you see, observe or otherwise experience one of your team members doing a good job, going "above and beyond," achieving a deadline or otherwise achieving beyond expectations, then let them know it. Share your words of praise and recog

Are You Shutting Out Great Ideas?

Jun 4th, 2013 1m 50s

Do you make it a point to tune in to the opinions of others? Do you stay OPEN to and willing to consider different perspectives and challenges to YOUR way of thinking? If not, you MAY be missing out on some great ideas.

Solving the BIGGER Problem

May 29th, 2013 1m 49s

When confronted with a problem, always ask yourself this: "Is there a BIGGER problem that needs to be addressed here?" Ask "why did this problem surface?" .... Ask "what caused this problem?" ... Ask "is this a symptom of a bigger issue that n

Leadership is About SERVICE, Not Control

May 21st, 2013 2m 13s

Extraordinary leaders clearly define expectations, set guidelines and boundaries, provide necessary resources and then step back and empower their team members to get things done.

Be Proactive with Updates to Your Manager

May 16th, 2013 1m 46s

Take ownership for keeping your boss or manager apprised of key activities, decisions, necessary changes in direction, status of performance against goals and other important updates. Don't wait for him or her to ask ... be proactive ... keep

Evaluate Your Circle of Friends

May 14th, 2013 1m 42s

It's been said that we are the average of the FIVE people we spend the most time with. Choose your friends wisely and surround yourself with positive, uplifting people who are fun to be around and who share your passions and interests.

A Powerful Way to Make an Introduction

May 6th, 2013 1m 59s

Demonstrate your networking savvy by using this powerful technique to introduce a client to someone or to introduce a friend to another friend. It's an excellent gift-giving and kindness opportunity.

Do What You Say You'll Do

May 1st, 2013 1m 56s

Make your commitments and promises with care and then follow through -- do what you said you would do ... do it with 110% effort and get it done ahead of schedule. Make that part of your trademark.

Always Be Looking for the Message

Apr 30th, 2013 2m 3s

Sometimes the message or learning point is loud and clear; other times it's subtle and not so apparent .... but ... it's ALWAYS there. Look for it, seek it out and view it as a learning or growth opportunity.

How to Make Delegation Easy

Apr 29th, 2013 3m 18s

Eliminate the "I don't have time to show you or teach you how to do it" excuse with this delegation process idea. Find ONE THING NEW each week to delegate and focus YOUR time on the things that add the most value.

Employ the Power of Subtraction

Apr 25th, 2013 2m 13s

What is that you need to let go of at work ... something that probably was a great thing to do when you originally started doing it, but no longer serves a truly valid purpose. What can you eliminate?

Help Bring an Experience Back to Life

Apr 24th, 2013 2m 10s

Use these questions and this process to help a colleague or a friend recall, relive and replay a positive experience or an event they were proud of and/or for which they received previous recognition

Feedback .... The Breakfast of Champions

Apr 22nd, 2013 2m 18s

We all want to improve ... to get better. Seeking feedback from others is an excellent practice for identifying areas of improvements -- things you may not see or may not be aware of. Make a habit of seeking feedback from others.

Team Member One-on-one's

Apr 18th, 2013 1m 33s

Regular, "standing," one-on-one meetings (in person) with each of your direct report team members is an excellent leadership practice. Regular communication is key and the one-on-one time allows for coaching-oriented conversations when necessar

Personal Excellence: The Courtesy Call Habit

Apr 15th, 2013 2m 12s

Running behind? ... Then let the person with whom you'll be meeting or talking to know. Traveling or commuting a significant distance to attend the meeting? ... Then call ahead to confirm the other person is still good for the meeting. Emplo

Practice the "And Then Some" Mindset

Apr 11th, 2013 1m 55s

Deliver to your clients' expectations ... and then some. Practice for your presentation ... and then some. Do a little bit more, give a little bit more, take an extra step or two. Always practice the "and then some" mindset.

Develop a Morning Ritual

Apr 10th, 2013 2m 4s

Get a jump start on your day .... every day .... so that you enter each day with a sense of being "in control" and focused on the most important things to get done that day. An early morning ritual will help in that regard, including activitie

Quit Waiting for the "Perfect" Time

Apr 9th, 2013 1m 50s

Waiting for the perfect time is often an excuse to defer something till later. But, if it's really important and moves you in the direction of accomplishing a goal, why wait? There really is no perfect time ... just do it!

Is It on the Calendar?

Apr 8th, 2013 2m 7s

Use you calendar to block out time for calls, meetings and ANY project that's going to require at least 30 minutes or more of your time. ALSO, block out PREP time for calls and meetings. If it's ON YOUR CALENDAR, you're more likely to GET IT

Let Go of the Need to Be Right

Apr 5th, 2013 2m 34s

Much of what we accept as "fact" remains truly subjective and in alignment with our own beliefs and values. "Right" is therefore not always right, or at least there's some wiggle room. Choose being nice over being right ... let go of the need