We all have an internal dialogue that runs through our minds on a daily basis. We share very little – out loud – of what we think or feel about others (and that is probably a good thing.) But internally we hear 100% of what we think and feel about ourselves. That “self-talk” is a conversation that can either be based on truth or distortions. And it can be kind, benign or brutal. But one thing is certain. When you talk to yourself, someone very important is listening, and it can make all the difference.

Here’s the science about self-talk.
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There are a lot of preconceived ideas related to employees and age. For example, many believe that younger employees have more energy, enthusiasm and drive. They’re also thought to have sharper minds and better memory. It’s also believed that younger, digital-native employees are more tech savvy. By contrast, many believe older employees are wiser and more experienced. They are thought to be good with people and have better social skills. And most assume older employees have schedules that are more flexible with fewer family demands. And there are even more negative beliefs as well. But all of these are just stereotypes. Here is why employee age does not matter. Continue reading →

If you google the term Leadership, you will get approximately 402 Million search results. It is definitely a highly searched term (although Covid-19 currently generates 663 Million search results). The reason the term Leadership produces so many results is that it is a highly-desirable trait and position, and yet a term that is hard to pin down. Therefore, it is a topic about which much is written by professors, professionals and pundits alike. It seems most everyone has an opinion on what constitutes Leadership, especially in business. But how often do we think about what Leadership is not?

Here are some things leadership isn’t.
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LinkedIn is the social media site of choice for the business world and for professionals who want to network, learn, find motivation and inspire like-minded peers. And, most of the content posted on LinkedIn is work-oriented with a significant focus on personal development. So how should a person or company maximize the effectiveness of their LinkedIn engagement, especially given recent changes to the algorithm, for 2021? Here are some strategies to increase engagement and optional formulas to measure engagement. Continue reading →

Most business owners have a LinkedIn profile for their company, and most savvy professionals and execs are active on LinkedIn… or hire a social media expert to handle their activity. It is the social media site of choice for the business world and for professionals who want to network, learn, find motivation and inspire like-minded peers. Most of the content posted on LinkedIn is work-oriented with a significant focus on personal development. So how should a person or company maximize the effectiveness of their LinkedIn engagement, especially given recent changes to the algorithm, for 2021?

Start by being aware of some of LinkedIn’s recent updates. Continue reading →

If starting a new project or task might seem daunting, finishing can feel just as difficult or even moreso. The more time spent on a project and the more complex it is, the more likely it is to drag on long after it should have and could have been completed. Getting the last 10% buttoned up can be a challenge because fatigue, perfectionism and second-guessing can all push completion back. And when it is work that will be judged by others, there is a tendency to keep tweaking and questioning. But that does not have to be the case. Just as there are ways to jumpstart a kickoff, there are also strategies to help push projects across the finish line. Continue reading →

Starting and finishing are the hardest parts of most any endeavor. Beginning is often a challenge. Whether it is a smaller task like submitting a Quarterly Budget or a major task like doing the entire Inventory of a shop, it can be daunting to just start. Where to begin? How to tackle it? What is needed? There can be an overwhelming urge to procrastinate. But endings aren’t much easier. After working on an Annual Sales Plan for weeks or customizing a new software program for months, getting the last 10% buttoned up can also be a challenge. Fatigue sets in. Do I have to keep at this? Is there anything missing that needs to be added? How will it be received? The desire to keep tweaking can make the last bit drag on. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are ways to jumpstart the kickoff and wrap up with flair.
Here’s how. Continue reading →

We are all hearing the amusing stories about the realities of working from home. For many, it is a bit chaotic, especially when spouses, kids and even pets are underfoot. The reality is that working remotely comes with its own unique set of challenges while managing performance matters more now than ever before. While everyone is making allowances for work-space issues, because of Covid, long-term managers will need to find new ways to monitor employee attendance and activity as well as achievement and results if telecommuting is going to continue full force after a Coronavirus vaccine is developed. So how should companies measure productivity and results in the remote revolution? Continue reading →

Managing performance matters more now than ever before. For many companies, bottom lines are leaner as Covid continues to hinder the economy. And, a massive rise in remote workers means managers must not only find new ways to monitor employee attendance and activity but also – more importantly — measure achievement. After all, busy is not synonymous with beneficial. Present doesn’t mean profitable. Action does not equal achievement. And engagement does not always generate earnings. So why is maintaining a telecommuting workforce so challenging and how should companies measure productivity and results in the remote revolution? Continue reading →

Situations that call for gratitude and appreciation come in all sizes, from small gestures to life-changing acts. Depending on the situation, we must find the right way to express gratitude. The bigger the gesture, the harder it is to find the right words. Often it feels like words fail so we say nothing. But, expressing gratitude is a critically-important task everyone should practice. It not only increases happiness, reinforces social bonds and boosts confidence of the person expressing gratitude, but it also helps the body and contributes to long-term success. Here’s why. Continue reading →