Mark your calendars. March 20th is the “International Day of Happiness” as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly starting in 2012. Do we need a designated day to be joyful? Apparently so. We are blessed and many of us benefit from living in a country with an abundance of resources and the ability to earn more than a living wage. However, research has shown that above a certain level of income, $75,000, additional gains …
Spring Break is coming up and for many that may mean the opportunity for a road trip. A road trip on its own is great fun, a chance to see the landscape and get a feel for just where you are on this great earth. But there is something special about a road trip when you have the opportunity to travel with others. Imagine a group hitting the road for a get-away. You gather at …
In dressage we use a phrase “on the aids” to describe when we have the horse’s full attention and he is listening to us. You might think that’s a constant with a rider on the back. Have you ever ridden on one of those vacation trail rides? The kind where the horses follow nose to tail? That horse is not on the aids and is paying zero attention to you. In fact, he likely believes …
My first read of The Happiness Advantage was in 2012, around the same time I came across the book StrengthsFinder 2.0 and its related strengths assessment. I am not sure which spawned which but the two are more closely related than I knew at the time as both have roots in the Positive Psychology movement. Dr. Donald O. Clifton, developer of the StrengthsFinder® Assessment, challenged the focus on dysfunction by asking “What will happen when …
Focusing on strengths brings out the best in ourselves and in others. A few statistics* demonstrate the value of focusing on what is right with people. People who learn to use their strengths every day have 7.8% greater productivity. Teams who focus on strengths every day have 12.5% greater productivity. Teams who received strengths feedback have 8.9% greater profitability. Employees who received strengths feedback have 14.9% lower turnover. These are impactful and meaningful numbers to …
What creates the circumstances where a person consistently provides near-perfect performance? Consider an athlete, a speaker, a business leader or a nurse. Is it luck, circumstances, natural talent or a combination of these? Fortunately, we now have scientific research that provides us with roadmaps or ways to increase our performance and it involves the study of the mind and behavior – psychology. While the study of psychology dates back to the ancient Greeks, it only …
Forward motion allows a heavy object to become more mobile. Consider this: In dressage, my sport of choice, a horse and rider attempt to become one unit, moving together in harmony with fluidity while executing impressive movements. The horse weighs between 900 to 1,200 pounds on average and has four legs and a long neck to coordinate. The rider, much to people’s surprise, does not remain on the horse’s back by gripping with the legs. …
Most of us have experienced this; the company retreat or off-site where a portion of the time is spent learning about ourselves, our teammates and a new way of looking at our relationships. Communication skills, building trust, leadership through XYZ or a nature or wilderness experience designed to teach us more about ourselves and working together. Perhaps you are asked to take an assessment prior to the gathering to understand your colors, a letter that …
Can execution or “getting things done” look different for each person? When you think about executing, what image comes to mind? A check box checked? A project completed? Clothes folded and put away? Trash emptied? How could executing look different? Gallup® in their work through the CliftonStrengths® assessment and the research behind it, has discovered certain similarities in talent themes and developed Leadership Domains to define these. One of those Domains is Executing and is …
Do you know your leadership style? Do you understand why others follow you? Are you looking to become a leader? We have all heard the platitude that we are all leaders in some form or another. If we accept the generality of that statement then we accept that leadership is a talent we all possess. Yet is it that generic? If we all have the ability to lead why are some better than others? Or …
Planning has its advantages but at what point do you stop planning and start executing? This is a time of year when we pause to take stock of our accomplishments and shortcomings over the past year and are laying the groundwork, the plans, for what we will accomplish in the coming years. How much forethought and planning is required? When do you know to move forward? The turning of the calendar to a new year is …
This began as a Top 10 list for 2015. As I wrote, it became apparent that the top items for me this year all involved technology. So that you get the full benefit of my learning, I am limiting the list to just technology. The impact has been profound. Starting with… Surface Pro 3 – With my 5 year old laptop running slowly and crashing more than I would like, it was time to find …
What if… What if you focused on fixing everything that is a deficiency for you? What if you vowed to overcome each area in your life where you are weak? What would the outcome be? At a recent conference, I had the opportunity to share what I do; help business owners maximize their teams and people power. One of the attendees shared a story with me about an acquaintance who took the opposite approach. Instead …
Working as a strengths coach I help leaders and teams understand what they do best and develop a game plan for driving performance. We start at the top, working with the Top 5 talent themes from the CliftonStrengths® assessment for each individual. Given the human tendency to focus on weaknesses, starting with the Top 5 ensures that the concept of doing what you do best is embraced and understood. In most workshops a participant will …
Engagement is the new buzzword. Not only for employees but you will hear it used for customers as well. What does it mean to engage? As defined by Merriam-Webster engagement is: an arrangement to meet or be present at a specified time and place a job or period of employment especially as a performer emotional involvement or commitment betrothal the state of being in gear a hostile encounter between military forces We will disregard the …
On a recent flight, I had the opportunity to visit with my indirect seatmate. We connected quickly, while the middle seat person took a personal break. This new acquaintance shared his excitement about the company he was launching. With 5 people already on board, he was quickly finding himself involved in the “people” side of things. Confessing that he is much more comfortable with the tactical side of the business, he wanted to make sure …
What does it take to have an engaged workforce? Is it a Ping-Pong table in the breakroom and unlimited vacation and sick pay? Is it a flexible work environment allowing employees to set their own schedules? If your eyes were rolling and you were wondering just how you were going to make that happen, worry no more. According to research conducted by Gallup®, these types of fringe benefits are not what make an engaged workforce. …
Did you know that over 70% of employees are disengaged from their workplace? Did you know that this disengagement results in billions of dollars of lost economic production every year? How many of your employees are disengaged and how much is that costing you? The statistics above come from surveys conducted by Gallup®. Gallup® also provides us with the definitions around this term “engagement.” See if you can identify each of your team members’ level …
The coolest thing about the work I do is that my vision and purpose align with my strengths and passion. The vision that pulls me forward is to provide tools, knowledge and support to those who want to create a greater version of life. To do this, I need to reach as many people as possible through speaking, writing, coaching and team building. My Maximizer strength leads and is all about becoming greater. Strategic allows …
The experience of coaching and mentoring with the professional women’s group reinforced that mindset determines most of how our lives play out. It was a multitude of case studies that said “you are in control” and what you believe determines what comes your way. You may not believe that you have the ability to influence your career or professional trajectory. If you are waiting to be picked you will wait a long time. Instead, pick …