The year of living gently
During a recent meeting of CEOs, the idea of 2023 being “the year of living gently” came up. Stemming from the Lunar Year of the Rabbit, this concept resonated deeply. In Q1, I routinely hear a desire to “finally make…
Set up the scaffolding you need to be successful
You exponentially increase your chance of success by building the structure and support you need around you. To achieve a sense of fulfillment, impact, and success in your career, you must be willing to commit to what intention requires, including…
Be Willing to Surrender
My all-time favorite guided meditation is by storyteller and meditation teacher Sarah Blondin; I’ve listened to her 8-minute “Learning to Surrender” meditation so many times I almost have it memorized. The message I take from her wise words: there are…
Focus on getting to “good enough”
Getting to where you are in your career involves you setting high expectations for yourself and being unwilling to settle for less than meeting them. However, over time those expectations can become so heavy that unwillingness to fail (perfectionism) takes…
Try three things, three ways, three times
When you put yourself out there to connect with other leaders in positions to help you, it takes courage. If you are an introvert, new to networking, and/or feel resistance, it can be discouraging when you don’t receive a positive…
The choice: pursue career delight OR what others expect of you
I hear this all the time: you want to make a professional pivot to work that feels more fulfilling, but you are afraid of what others will think. See if any of these internal talk tracks sound familiar: I am…
Leadership Trap: No fuel in the tank
As the alarm chirped, Robin reflexively hit the snooze button. Thirty minutes later, she felt the fog of sleep lift and a sense of heaviness descend in her chest. As she dragged herself out of bed, she muttered, “Monday mornings…
Success Strategy: Become an expert observer to excel in your leadership skills
One of my favorite images to help understand the value of observation comes from Ronald Heifetz’s Leadership on the Line. Heifetz talks about the importance of “going to the balcony,” leaving the fray of a real-time situation to take the…
Have trouble saying no? Try this.
You may find it tricky to say “No” to your colleagues, family members, or friends, even when you don't want to do what is being asked of you. A tendency to say “Yes” can lead to overwork - and, if…
An elevator pitch hack – for when your next move feels a bit squishy
If you have been struggling with an intentional career move that is leaving you feeling a bit tongue-tied about how to describe it, remember that most people genuinely want to be helpful. Especially when those folks are people who have…