When it comes to talent and leadership development, there are many powerful pathways to achieve growth. One of the faster growing areas is the strengths-based approach to development. It’s not surprising that this area has become so popular. First, it feels good. When we are able to leverage and expand upon our strengths, we’re operating within our comfort zone. Also, the experience is less threatening. Anyone who has delivered difficult 360-degree feedback to individuals knows how long it can take to break down the defensive barrier most experience when identifying weaknesses. With a Strengths-based approach, the engagement begins immediately and … Read More
What Happens Next Will Define Us
As we close out this long, exhausting year, a feeling begins to emerge that we are on the verge of a critical turning point. It is possible this feeling is fostered by a false sense of hope that we can put 2020 in the rear-view mirror. Or perhaps it’s due to an overly optimistic view that vaccines will be quickly distributed and adopted en masse. And yet, despite the highest daily recorded deaths due to the pandemic, many organizations are still pushing for a plan to return to the office. Last spring, many employers had to make tough decisions to … Read More
Your Personal Development Plan Needs Attention, Too
One core competency for all leaders is understanding how to coach and develop others. This is a particularly challenging skill for any individual promoted to a leadership role based on performance as an individual contributor. Many individuals become first-time managers and have never had any formal training for how to coach and develop others, so they miss a critical step in learning how to lead. Another key step in the process is remembering to prioritize self-development. We can’t develop others if we’re not also developing our own skills.
Building a Leadership Value Proposition-Redux
Developing a value proposition is one of the most important exercises one can do in a sales or marketing role. Clearly defining the value one can offer to the intended customer base and the ways in which they are superior to competitors’ offerings is the foundation for all messaging and outreach. Similarly, HR teams also develop an Employee Value Proposition to articulate the benefits of joining the organization and is used to attract and retain talent. For both the organizational and employee version of the value proposition, it really boils down to defining the essence of the organization and what … Read More
Doomscrolling: The Silent Productivity Killer
You are what you eat. At a young age we’re taught that in order to be physically healthy, we must be mindful of what we put in our bodies. If we eat high calorie, sugar-filled, fatty foods, our body will lack the vitamins and nutrients we need to function effectively. However, we are so much more than what we eat. We are what we consume. Much like the way our body absorbs and processes food, we absorb and process everything we see, think, and feel. When we surround ourselves with positive thinkers and problem solvers that challenge us to become … Read More
Building Resilience — Bouncing Back After Failure
I failed last week. It was a major failure. It was the kind of failure that forces you to simply shut down the computer and walk away for a bit just so you can remind yourself to breathe. And while the failure would have been gut-wrenching on its own, it was a very public failure that came at a time when my team needed me the most. While I’ve experienced loss in my career before, this experience felt different. I had two choices. I could either try to forget what happened and hope my colleagues would as well, or I … Read More