In every organization, we can spot those individuals with stellar performance who seem to be rocketing to the top, untouched by the usual obstacles and bureaucratic red tape. But, take it from me, things aren’t always as they seem from the outside. I’ve spent twenty years working with these high achievers and success-oriented individuals, and they definitely face their own set of challenges. The truth is, I&r...

I don’t typically write or comment on issues of diversity and inclusion. But an often-overlooked aspect of the topic — cognitive diversity — is starting to come into the spotlight, and I have some insights on it because of the focus of my work. In my experience, I’ve seen that companies produce the best results and are better able to innovate when their team members don’t all think, process inf...

Many leaders experience setbacks—or even failures. Perhaps they feel like their influence is waning. Their ideas aren’t translating, or their teams aren’t producing at the right level. These leaders might be doing all the right things, but their effectiveness seems diluted. Ever had that feeling? If so, the problem could be leadership blind spots. These occur when there’s a disconnect between our...

Shifting from Manager to Leader Just because you have a management title doesn’t automatically mean you’re a great leader. But making that sometimes-subtle shift is essential for the success of your career and your organization. There’s a lot at stake. So what’s the real difference between management and leadership? Effective managers are task-focused and might be described as dependable and...

Many people greet the new year with a renewed commitment to professional growth. But what about existing leaders? They often feel overwhelmed and put others first. Unfortunately, demanding and stressful conditions could be holding them back from even greater success. The truth is, we all need to devote time to our own leadership development—no matter what level we’ve reached within the organization. Waiti...

Many leaders can come off as either too polished and phony or not polished and poised enough. Knowing when and how to be authentic versus deliberate is the key to maintaining your leadership effectiveness. For years, leaders were trained and advised to be more deliberate in their interactions. Polished and professional at all times. Calm in the storm. Carefully prepared for any type of communications. They worked hard t...

Blind spots in our careers can lead to the same result as blind spots in our cars: unintended mishaps and expensive damage. Professional blind spots occur when intentions and perceptions don’t match…when there’s a disconnect between the way we believe we’re projecting ourselves…and the way others experience us. There are hidden gaps. And because of those gaps, our professional reputation i...

Please join me in welcoming a new guest blogger, Bernie Swain, co-founder of Washington Speakers Bureau and today’s foremost authority on the lecture industry. Over the past 35 years, Swain has represented former US Presidents, cabinet members, business executives, public figures, media leaders, and sports legends. His new book, What Made Me Who I Am, is available everywhere. I’m honored to have Bernie share his...

Life can (and will) throw us curveballs. No matter how much we plan, things don’t always go as expected. That’s certainly true in business. We all face adversity…problems we didn’t anticipate…issues that force us to shift our direction. For some people, those inevitable curveballs lead to major stress and meltdowns. But others have mastered the art of resilience and flexibility. They know...

The formula for career success changes as we work our way up the corporate ladder. The tangible skills and credentials we collected for our resumes become less important. Instead, our success depends on how well we work with and through others. The focus on IQ shifts to EQ: emotional intelligence. Discover how to strengthen your EQ and incorporate the qualities required for success at a higher level.I remember taking math c...