I had the absolutely best time interviewing an amazing, creative man, Geoffrey James who gives down to earth advice packaged with a sense of humor; a blogging Jon Stewart type. He asked me how much success I can brag about bringing self- awareness programs to the work world. My response was a quiet, “It’s been an exhausting uphill battle and invigorating at the same … [Read more...]
Leadership and “Hostilization”
I recently agreed to appear in a court case concerning a “hostile work environment”. I went because I think there is too much noise without proof in these fast sound bite days. Anyone running a business knows that employees often make claims that are unjust, unreal, and unfair. Often, however, it is simply easier to leave the situation alone rather than take the time and money … [Read more...]
Leadership and Speaking for Us
Lately there is the beginning of a groundswell to stop women in leadership from speaking for all of us. About time! Whether we truly agree or not, when Sarah Palin, Dr. Laura Schlesinger, Ann Coulter, Whoopie Goldberg, Angelina Jolie, and the like state their perspectives, it is our responsibility to align with or dispute in our own words. More women are in positions of … [Read more...]
Leadership and Change
It was a planned change. Nothing like changes that occur when a hurricane blows your home away or a toxic dump makes it impossible to live a healthy life where you once had a home. So, why bother writing about it? Maybe it is just my way of connecting my own life dots. Maybe it is to say that just because it is not a dramatic and life altering change it still has its bitter … [Read more...]
The One Flaw in Women
This beautiful video, "The One Flaw in Women" says so much about us. Watch it more than once. Send it to a friend and to a daughter, niece or neighbor girl so they can also celebrate the essence of being female. One you can decide if you agree with the one flaw in women. Let me know what you think. The statement "they go without so their family can have" reminded me of a story … [Read more...]
Women, Leadership and Are We There Yet?
Big question is “Where is there?” or even better “Where is here”? How do we know when change has really taken hold? How do we know when we, as women, have found what we want in terms of equality at work? First, some thoughts about change and how it happens. In our culture we have become so addicted to instant everything that we expect change at the drop of a hat. It just … [Read more...]
Leadership and the Art of Asking
How often do you ask for what you want? Better yet, do you get what you ask for? In our WELL Program (Women Executive Leadership Lessons) we have a module on the power and importance of asking for what you want. It usually brings up lots of memories of being a "good girl" as a kid, or of hearing parents say "it’s not polite to ask, just wait till you are given". Most women … [Read more...]
Leadership Lessons in the Blink of an Eye
When you think of leaders who have made a difference who comes to mind? In our Total Leadership Connections program we spend time discussing this and over the years several themes have emerged. Many are the same for all leadership programs around the world. Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Mohammed, Gandhi, Mandela, MLK, JFK, FDR are on most lists. When it gets more personal folks … [Read more...]
Free To Be You and Me
The 70’s was a time of vast changes. The movements were all coming together, civil rights, peace, women, all saying “there has to be a better way”. Anyone out there remember the album for kids, actually for all of us that had songs like “free to be you and me”, “It’s alright to cry”, “parents are people”? What a break through time. Many of us in the work world have taken … [Read more...]
Leadership and Emotional Pollution
Did you ever throw a paper cup on the ground and walk away? The women who read this blog would not think to do that. The cup would find a home in a trash can. And, if you look down and there is a candy wrapper lying on the pavement, do you pick it up and throw it in a waste basket? Most likely you would take the moment to help clean up the area. So, why do we walk past … [Read more...]