HUMANERGY'S LEADERSHIP BLOG
LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS THAT WORK IN THE REAL WORLD
Explore our library of practical tools, tips, and stories. Drawn from decades of coaching leaders and teams.
Explore Humanergy’s leadership blog for proven tools, strategies, and insights to help leaders and teams thrive.​
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Coaching someone in job jeopardy?
Coaching is a substantial investment that is generally offered to high potential leaders. So when is it worth the cost to coach someone who is in job jeopardy? Whether you hire a coach or do the...
Three steps to selling anything
We recently had a fascinating team discussion about business development. Experts say that the vast majority of successful sales conversations involve the buyer talking more than the seller. (No...
Miracle of mindfulness
You may be wondering why a leadership blog would focus so often on stress relief. We focus on stress because we live in a chaotic, fast-paced world that naturally creates stress. No one can be a...
Yes, you can manage interruptions
“Don’t be defeated by a self-fulfilling prophecy that your interruptions can’t be controlled.” Jack D. Ferner Interruptions can drain your available time to address vital priorities. So, not taking...
Become more tolerant of ambiguity
People differ greatly in their tolerance for ambiguity, though it is uncommon for leaders to admit that they don't like situations that are unclear. As leaders, they feel that they must be seen to...
Just do one thing
Most people would describe their lives as busy, even overwhelming. That's the most common reason people give for not tackling the not-urgent-and-very-important things that we say are priorities. We...
Assume the best
You get to work and read an email from a coworker: Christi – the side door was left unlocked between 2 and 3 pm again. Have you thought of creating a checklist that will help you remember? Jane You...
Breathing for (really intense) stress relief
You might think you've got the whole breathing thing down. Maybe you've even tried the relaxation breathing technique posted on our blog. There are times, however, when cleansing breaths are not...
Strategy and your brain
It might seem that when it comes to strategic thinking, the brain is your ally. Not always. Our brains aren’t always rational, and we are unaware of the extent to which the mind takes shortcuts and...
The answer to how is yes
I just read a blog that refers to a book called "The Answer to How is Yes." I don't know anything about the book, but that title really got my brain churning. Like many people, I have trouble making...
Are you a bully boss?
I saw these words on a t-shirt yesterday: Humankind. Be both. Full of warm feelings about the human family, this morning I read a Washington Post blog titled, Do jerks make better leaders? Geoffrey...
On the receiving end of change
Most advice about change is directed at leaders, often dealing with managing employees' reactions to change. There are far fewer books and articles written from an employee-facing-change...
Way to go!
My daughter Shannon works in customer service, and she is cursed, screamed at and verbally abused on a daily basis. One day, however, the clouds parted and sunshine came in the form of an extremely...
The wrong time might be the perfect time
I was up to my eyeballs in alligators. Looming deadlines for crucial proposals were haunting me, and I was working in overdrive. Then I remembered the scheduled team retreat. Months earlier, we had...
Use influence to reel in success
Influence allows you to impact results through your interactions with other people. Although you can’t control the outcome completely, you can increase the probability of achieving the impact you...
Are you nuts?
Do you have to be boring or serious to be a great leader? The responsibilities may be challenging and even daunting some days. That doesn't mean you have to turn into a somber, bland person. In...
Can you really say no to your boss?
Even when you have a positive relationship, bringing bad news to the boss is something most people would rather avoid. This includes telling the boss, "no," even when it's the right thing to do....
Stress relief at your desk
Don't have time to head to the gym? While activity is probably the best stress buster, you can de-stress without a trip to the fitness center. A simple, brief head and neck stretch can help you calm...
No advice, just questions
"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us." Marcel Proust A coworker came to me recently to get input on a problem she was...
Get it done right the first time
Refrigerator magnet spotted at a client's office recently: "Of course I don’t look busy. I delegated it right the first time." While competent delegation won't really take away all of your work, it...
Nobody will tell you
Intimidating, standoffish, mean and aloof. These are not words you want people to use when they describe you. The sad reality is that people who create this perception in others are often not aware...