Authenticity

TEDx Grand Rapids – Food for Thought

May 15, 2012

I attended my second TEDx Grand Rapids event last Thursday.  The theme this year was “What Now?” and it came alive in such unexpected ways. From innovations in technology and materials, to finding peace in an act of terrorism, each speaker was able to knit “what now?” into his or her presentation. It’s a very [...]

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Influencing Across Organizational Boundaries

January 11, 2012

Earlier this week I presented a session on Influencing Across Organizational Boundaries to the Western Michigan chapter of the Project Management Institute. The session was so well-received that many people asked for copies of the Power Point presentation. Well, you know how that goes—a Power Point without the corresponding speaker commentary is a bit flat. [...]

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5 Reasons Leaders Fear Embarrassment

September 30, 2011

And Three Ways to Deal with It “The rate at which a person can mature is directly proportional to the embarrassment he can tolerate.” Douglas Engelbart, American Inventor   I was in a strategic planning meeting being led by a Regional VP named “Henry”. His boss was there, as were all 55 of his team [...]

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The Mutuality Measuring Stick for Networking

August 12, 2011

Should you network with someone you don’t like? This question was put to me recently. My response was emphatic: “No, of course not!” Here’s why I say this with such conviction. My definition of networking is: The purpose of networking is to connect people who have a mutual interest in developing a professional relationship or assisting one [...]

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Leaders – Keep Your Mind Clear for a Magnetic Personality

July 29, 2011

Whenever there’s a discussion of “what makes a great leader?” invariably the trait of “charisma” surfaces— that special “something” that is appealing and makes people want to follow that leader. I recently read something that helped me think about the ways in which leaders attract people to their cause. The reading comes from an essay1 [...]

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5 Tips for Building Your Superhero Power at Work

July 26, 2011

When we were kids, all it took was donning a beach towel cape and running through the neighborhood to make us feel strong and competent. A simple garment addition and voila! We were superheroes.  Then, we grew up and went to work. At your place of employment, you might be less inclined to feel the superhero [...]

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Do You Have a Career Bucket List?

June 17, 2011

The kids and I were on our way to a Little League game the other day when I mentioned, “Hey guys, what do you think about making a list of things to do during your summer break?” “You mean, like a Bucket List?” asked my son. “That’s a great idea!” I exclaimed so on the [...]

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Safe at Home – Watch Your Words

March 28, 2011

Dwane Lay who blogs at Lean HR is hosting a unique HR Carnival this week. He’s asked all carnival contributors to write a post with the same title: “Safe at Home.” We’re to write about what that title means to us personally and publish it today. The carnival featuring all submissions with this title will [...]

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When Leaders Let It All Hang Out

December 10, 2010

Organizationally Speaking, That Is I heard an interesting interview last night with Ned Breslin, CEO of the nonprofit Water for People on American Public Media’s Marketplace radio program. Water for People’s mission is to provide safe drinking water all over the world. The interview explored the level of transparency that was created when the organization [...]

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My At-Work Gratitude List

November 23, 2010

  In my first-grader’s backpack last night was a completed assignment: “Five Things I’m Thankful For”. Along with her stuffed animals, bedroom and house, she’s thankful for her Mom and her Dad. It’s nice to know we made the list. Counting one’s blessings is a very grounding thing to do.  For years, I’ve kept a [...]

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