Another year has flown by and we find ourselves leaving 2025 and entering 2026. I hope that last year met your expectations and you look back with satisfaction on your accomplishments.
But now is the season to think of the year ahead….your resolutions….your aspirations….your goals. If you’re a planner, you’ve probably already mapped out 2026 to guide your way. Even if planning isn’t your style, you’ve probably thought about what you want to accomplish in some fashion.
‘Tis the season of giving. And it’s also the season of rushing. Many people are trying to get everything done, including buying thoughtful gifts for loved ones.
Here’s a way to change that vibe.
As we edge towards the end of 2025, the annual recurrence of holiday tensions has arrived. December brings year-end deadlines, an abundance of holiday parties, and greater than usual personal commitments.
The result? More stress, more tension, and more anxiety which is creeping into the fabric of many organizations. What to do? Consider these tips to manage through the next few weeks.
You don’t have to look far to notice how quickly conversations can turn sharp these days. From community meetings to workplace Slack channels to everyday interactions, the level of incivility has crept upward. People seem quicker to snap, less patient with differing viewpoints, and more inclined to assume the worst.
The result? A general moodiness and edge that can make even simple exchanges feel heavier than they should.
Happy Thanksgiving!
It is my tradition to write about gratitude on this uniquely American holiday. Today is a time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the things that mean the most to you. Many of you are celebrating today with friends and family, and that is something to be grateful for.
My friend and colleague, Bob, and I had an interesting conversation over lunch. I was commenting on the scope of some of his professional achievements and learned that one of his most influential drivers was a colleague, Tony, who represented the antithesis of who he wanted to become.
Early in his career, Bob worked closely with Tony, who was the embodiment of making a deal regardless of whether the sale was good for the prospective client. Not only did he not take time to get to know his prospects or understand their needs, but he quite simply didn’t care.
One of the most important issues facing my clients is time management. They are over-scheduled, perennially interrupted, covering for others’ mistakes, and solving dozens of challenges.
I was working with a client in his office and within a brief ten-minute slice of time, four different people “dropped in” to ask something. When the fourth person walked in, he just looked at me and started to laugh. This man’s workday really begins in the evening, and obviously, that isn’t sustainable over time.
Top performers strive for the next accomplishment, soak up new information, and embrace the opportunity to challenge the status quo. They are eager to learn and stretch their minds.
I enjoy asking what people read, because it reveals interesting insights. Some people eagerly share their latest title; others look at me with a look that says “who cares about that?”
Have you ever made assumptions about what someone is thinking, reacted based on those assumptions, only to find out that you were completely wrong? We all do this occasionally, but frankly, it’s a bad habit.
You never know what’s going on with someone…you need to ask.
Over the years, I’ve worked with people who have been promoted into senior leadership positions and need some help adjusting to their new roles. Many of them have advanced from managerial jobs, but something just isn’t quite right in their new capacity.
The essence of these challenges is that these people haven’t moved forward with their promotions. For example, recently promoted senior level managers still operate from a mindset of middle management.