Does Your Behavior Match Your Goal? Putting “Practical Mindfulness” into Action
Practical mindfulness is an approach that can apply to any arena. It’s a mindset. A disposition. While everyone has their own relationship to implementation, below you’ll find 3 keys to bringing practical mindfulness approach into your life.
The Mad Scientist: Gabor Maté’s 3 Keys to Leadership
Forgiveness should be one of the biggest beakers in your lab. Things go wrong. Humans are infinitely complex and (depending on your perspective) flawed. “I’ve made every mistake in every book I’ve ever written” admits Maté. We should all work on patience, humility, and forgiveness.
Business Lessons from NFL QBs
By David Gardy Ermann // The default assumption in professional football is that the starting quarterback is more than just the best passer on the field; he is expected to be the team leader. I previously wrote an article (available here) on three psychological principles that underlie the success of NFL starting quarterbacks: self-efficacy, preparation, and patience. Starting quarterbacks serve a role on their teams much the same as business leaders do their companies. To that end, business leaders would significantly benefit by incorporating the practices that are founded upon these three psychological principles.
Top 3 Misconceptions About DEI Work (and why you should be doing it)
By Maurice McDavid and James Davis / Why isn’t your company doing effective DEI work? There are clearly hurdles. Some people more receptive than others. And to be fair, consultants approach this work in different ways. We take a thoughtful approach. After countless culture and leadership development engagements, here are the top three misconceptions about DEI that we have encountered.
The Value of a Coach
by Maurice McDavid; Tom Brady has won 7 Super Bowls, gone to 15 Pro Bowls, and been the league's MVP 3 times. He has a coach. In fact, he has about six of them.We could all benefit from coaching. For the professional athlete, it might be a skills coach, or a sports psychologist. For the executive, manager or department head it comes in the form of an executive coach. These are the people that drive performance in others.
Toss the Trophies
Wait. Don’t toss the trophy… The title is a misnomer. Trophies are awesome. Goals are essential and when they are accomplished, they should be celebrated. In sports, it comes in the form of a trophy or a ring, in business it might be a bonus or promotion. Celebrate the milestones, you’ve earned it. When the celebration is over, take time to frame the experience. That is, tell the story of what just happened. Work to understand the process that led to the outcome. Celebrate the process.
Gaining ‘Traction’ on Self-Talk
Imagine going into a meeting expecting the worst. What sort of vibe will you present? How will that influence the response of the other participants? Control your self-talk with the WBL approach.
Does Exercise Increase Productivity?
We delude ourselves into thinking that there is no time for a walk, taking a longer lunch in search of healthier food and a good laugh with a colleague. Making time for certain activities can replenish, invigorate, decrease stress and increase bandwidth. Is exercise one of those activities??
Concept Over Script: Commander's Intent
Concept comes first. What are you hoping to accomplish? Directions to bring that concept to life should follow, accompanied by all the skills the mission might require. Healthy, effective leadership prioritizes concept over script. It is an idea that extends beyond business.
Understanding Stress
“I’m overloaded”; “I’m underwater”; “I’m struggling here man” – those are three direct quotes from three different people currently sitting in my email inbox. Real, high-quality leaders, feeling overwhelmed.
Leaders are looking for “less stress” in their lives. Makes sense. Stress can be painful, frustrating, and make even small tasks feel more difficult.
But what is stress, exactly? Is there a difference between good stress and bad stress? Can we learn to thrive in the presence of potential stress and grow from those experiences?
The Gambler's Fallacy (Clustering Illusion)
The clustering illusion, sometimes referred to as the gambler’s fallacy, occurs when a cluster of random results is falsely imbued with meaning. It’s a common mistake. Though it is understandable, it can have dire consequences.
Learned Optimism
Imagine the difference between spending time stressing about whether or not a teammate will meet the deadline, versus sending them a note to that says 'you got this, looking forward to seeing the final product!' From a core of #optimism, behaviors and interactions shape themselves
Bridge the Gap Between Employees
When an early-stage company begins their ascent, it can be exhilarating. Countless hours of labor, strain, and creativity finally bear fruit. That feeling should be protected. Amid that upward trend, the loss of a key employee can be devastating.
How Good is a Sleepy Leader?
Is it possible that we overlook the role of the body in our professional lives? Habits of health and wellness play a larger role in workplace culture than one might initially think.
Work the Team, Then the Problem
To create a strong business atmosphere, prioritize people and culture. Work the team, then the problem. It won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it.
5 Keys to a Successful Gratitude Practice
The busy college professor, high-powered CEO, and parent of four can all find a few minutes to practice gratitude. It’s true. And if you don’t feel like you have five minutes to spare, then you are EXACTLY the right person for this article. Your mental wellness is at stake.