Leadership behaviors spread quickly through organizations — sometimes in productive ways, and sometimes in destructive ones.
When people think about improving at work, they usually focus on acquiring new skills. Far less attention is given to the behaviors, habits, or attitudes that should be eliminated.
It doesn’t take long before direct reports of my clients ask me how to deal with a moody or unresponsive leader. It’s an interesting request, because the leaders they’re referring to are often either indifferent to—or in denial about—their impact.
Some leaders believe it’s their right to be moody. As a result, they reject the idea that they should be more receptive to what their people say or ask.
Tomorrow marks the thirteenth annual United Nations International Day of Happiness.
The annual celebration recognizes “the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives.” This year focuses on well-being in the digital age.
Famous last words. How many times has someone said that they would get back to you, complete a task, follow up on a lead, or get some information to you. . . and you get old waiting to hear something?
Now, in fairness, there have certainly been times when you’ve not followed up on things, so before you start ranting about everyone else, you might want to look in the mirror.
People are transitioning into 2026 with the usual array of resolutions, goals, and fresh perspectives. I hope you’ve taken time to reflect on your wishes for the year and have captured them in a way that will stay on your radar in the months ahead.
More than this, though, I’d like you to pay mindful attention to your aspirations as we enter this new year. Being mindful means that you’re aware and accepting of what is happening in the moment: your thoughts and feelings, the environment, the people around you….complete with no judgment.
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.
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.
Do you add so many tasks to your to-do list that it becomes harder to keep up as the days creep on? Many people have this challenge, especially with so much pressure to do more in less time.
Most leaders keep up (or try to keep up) with urgent activities, such as client-related deadlines, internal deliverables, or follow-up meetings. If you have a deadline, you’re more likely to get it done.
Traditionally, the week after Labor Day in the U.S. signifies the return to school. This is an exciting time for students. It’s time to buy new books and fresh school supplies, get excited about seeing old friends, and return to the business of learning.
It’s a little different in the workplace. Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, and after the holiday people tend to return to work with a little more focus. Goodbye to the more relaxed office environment, casual dress, and early Friday departures.
I know that summer is not over officially until the September 22, but Labor Day weekend has always been the unofficial end, otherwise known as the “cultural end” of the summer for people in the US. This year we had 14 weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Did you miss it?