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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Empathy: Not just for the touchy-feely
I worked for a boss once who was profoundly uncomfortable with feelings. He was a likeable guy who preferred to keep his distance when things got personal or emotional. It wasn't unusual for him to...
Stressed? Breathe!
(This is part of the stress reduction series co-authored by Launda Wheatley, Humanergy's resident wellness expert and mind/body guru.) If you find yourself feeling tense, there is something you can...
When do you put out the red carpet?
When we're recruiting new employees, it's tempting to paint a rosy picture. We want to impress these candidates, especially if we think they possess the skills we desperately need. One of...
Don’t worry, be happy
I used to be a prolific worrier. Until my mid-thirties, my worries ranged from anxiety about my unreliable car to whether the world was going to implode. As with many people, middle-of-the-night...
A lesson in interdependence
I recently acquired a tandem bike. This has given my wife, Launda, and I new opportunities to exercise and tour the local area. It's also provided a unique opportunity to explore our finely-tuned...
In times of scarcity, give more
Adopting an abundance mentality has been a popular topic lately, purported to cure procrastination and ensure personal growth, among other benefits. Recognizing abundance means that you view the...
Stop tolerating dead weight
Is there an employee in your organization who is dragging everyone down? There may be several. These are the employees who appear to be busy but don't consistently produce good results. (Forget...
Supercharge your mentoring
There are mentors, and then there are people who step up in a more intentional way to make a profound, lasting impact on our lives. Lou is one of those people for me. I was a 22-year old graduate...
This could be killing your leadership
Pat has a problem that she does not acknowledge. Everyone else can see it, but not Pat. In fact, when asked about this issue, she replies that it is part of the job and not impacting her leadership...
The marvel of a new day
How would tomorrow be different if you could see it as a new day? This would not be a regular Thursday that follows Wednesday, but an opportunity to consciously make all things unspoiled by your...
Regrets, I’ve had a few
Kathryn Schulz did an amazing lecture on regret (Ted Lecture Best of 2011). She used her regret over getting a tattoo as an example, which I found amusing since to most folks, her tattoo is not...
Curiosity: A leadership superpower
We are hard-wired to be critical of new ideas. Maybe it's our Stone-Age brains in the forefront, avoiding risk in order to survive. Sometimes the urge to appear intelligent and decisive can result...
How do you end your day?
Much is written about how to start the day. Eat a good breakfast, exercise, revise your to-do list, etc. How you end the day is just as important, if not more so. A good night's sleep is essential...
Are you a Tough Mudder?
Phil, a fellow Humanergist, just returned from the Tough Mudder challenge held in South Amherst, Ohio. This is billed as "probably the toughest event on the planet." The Tough Mudder is a 10 to 12...
Swearing: colorful or crude?
"Life is a four-letter word." (Lenny Bruce) One of the most influential memories from childhood involves my brother getting his mouth washed out with soap for uttering a swear word. I can't recall...
When two heads are not better than one
(Guest blogger: Lynn Townsend, a former Humanergy communications champion) Humanergy is all about teamwork - in the office, at home and helping our clients work together more effectively. Is there a...
Why being willing to learn is not enough
One of our Humanergy team members is the poster child for learning and self-improvement. (Rather than embarrass him, let's just call him Bob.) Once new information is available to Bob, he quickly...
People who bug you
A wise woman said to me recently, "My goal is to spend more time with Sue Smith (not her real name). She really drives me nuts." I was surprised, to say the least, as my friend is not one to suffer...
It really IS all about you
My mantra for 2012 is "me first." Self-care is something I struggle with, since I usually define myself as the person who takes care of others. In fact, somewhere deep down, I believe that doing...
Banish your inner cynic
You may feel that you have plenty of reasons to be cynical. The world can be perceived as perpetually gloomy given worldwide terrorism, the collapse of our financial system and ongoing scandals....
Communication courtesies
"Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate and generous - not just to some people in some circumstances - but to everyone all the time." Thomas J. Watson Put another way:...