Do you have something fantastic to focus on and look forward to? Having a worthy goal is one way to rekindle your passion and stay positive…even amid negativity and challenges. I frequently ask the audience members in my keynote presentation “How to Stay Positive and Focused in Uncertain Times” to contemplate and complete the phrase “Someday I will…” to…
I watched with awe The Avengers, was wowed by Wonder Woman and emboldened by Black Panther. Yet, each of us has some cool characteristics in common with the superhero we love to admire. We too have superpowers that can be used for the greater good while eradicating evil. No cape or tights required! The 10 characteristics below were originally shared by…
It’s tough to have a conversation WITH POSITIVE WORDS when the WORDS in your mind ARE NEGATIVE. Imagine the voice in your head shouting: “He’s so arrogant!” or“She’s so indecisive!”, or other not-so-nice words even as you’re saying to a colleague “I’d love to collaborate with you”. In fact, one of the biggest challenges in communication is when…
Several years ago, as we were emerging from an economic downturn, I wrote an article based on my popular presentation “How to Stay Positive and Focused in Uncertain Times.” The suggestions in that article still hold true and offer hope today. Focus on what you can control You can’t control the national economy or who is currently in this…
The question is how do you communicate that you care to your clients, co-workers and even your kids?!! Communicating with compassion is especially important in situations that require working together in a problem-solving or conflict resolution situation. In the words of leadership guru John Maxwell: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”…
How to Respond When Someone Asks Your Opinion and You Have Nothing Nice to Say Have you ever been cornered by a colleague and asked a potentially incriminating question: “What do you think about the new boss?” or, “What do you think about the co-workers new hair cut?” or “What do you think about the CEO’s new (controversial) policy?” The…
“I told you so” along with “That’s a dumb idea,” “I knew you couldn’t do it” and “What were you thinking?!!” are just some of the nasty comments that may catch us off guard when they come our way. Even worse is when those well-intentioned, but hurtful comments come from people close to us such as co-workers or family. I…
In my communication keynotes and workshops, I frequently share this popular quote: Speak so that others love listening to you. Listen so that others love speaking to you. What I love sharing, even more, is HOW you go about doing that. How do you get a positive reaction from others when you speak…and when you listen? I sometimes share jokingly—truth…
On a Monday morning one of my colleagues ditched email and actually called a client. He had been wringing his hands and stressing all weekend after receiving an email from the client on Friday that led him to believe he had somehow unintentionally offended her. On the phone call, he was relieved when his client clarified that her message “I…
I learned from reading the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman that my preferred love languages are “acts of service” and “quality time.” In fact, my husband—with whom I celebrated our one-year wedding anniversary in December 2015—won me over with his acts of service such as offering to take me to the airport before dawn for a 6:00am…