Emotional Intelligence: The capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions. When emotional intelligence is brought up in conversation, some roll their eyes, nod their heads and tune out the words being spoken to them. Why? Because the importance of emotional intelligence is often overlooked in organizations. But the truth is, being aware of and in touch with your emotional strengths and weaknesses can actually help you become a better leader, build stronger, healthier … [Read more...]
June 2018: Managing Fears and Expectations & Defining YOUR Happy
Imagine the moment you find yourself sitting in your office chair engaging in conversation with your manager, and suddenly all you hear are the words, “We have to let you go.” Each individual receives the news of their separation differently. Some are overcome by fear and anxiety and they become frozen. Some immediately think about how they will tell their children or their parents. Some see their job loss as a great relief. Some envision themselves living on the street. Some approach … [Read more...]
May 2018: Selling Yourself in the Job Search
So, you’ve been out of a job for more than two months and think you have a pretty solid grasp on what it feels like to be “unemployed.” You’ve taken some “you time,” done some soul searching, painted the living room, and maybe even embarked on a trip you’ve always wanted to take. Now, the fun is over and you are ready to turn the page on the next chapter in your career. Once you’ve dug yourself out of the obligatory “vacation mode” headspace and finally mustered up the courage to take a … [Read more...]
March 2018: Job interview Prep 101
It has been weeks since your last interview, and you simply cannot bear the thought of letting the next opportunity that comes your way fall through the cracks. You’ve just received a call from your recruiter with news that the perfect job opportunity is within your reach — in fact, the interview is tomorrow morning at 8:00. With little time to prepare and a laundry list of things that need to be completed, this blog post unveils five considerations when faced with a short-notice job … [Read more...]
February 2018: The Importance of Staying Curious
Whether you are seeking a new job in your current line of work or not, keeping the door open to new opportunity, connections and possibilities can ultimately lead to successes that you never dreamed were possible. As Albert Einstein once said, “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” Having the drive, focus and grit to achieve your professional and personal goals is an admirable quality, but having your mind fixated on one goal and one goal only can also prevent you from … [Read more...]
Answer These 3 Questions Before You Apply
You hear about an interesting job opportunity. You think this could be the right spot for you. You’ve got your resume and cover letter and think you’re ready to apply. However, before you do, answer these three questions. 1. Is your resume and cover letter customized to the specific job? Given the sheer number of people applying for jobs and the limited number of people (recruiters, human resources staff) searching for qualified candidates, many organizations are using software programs … [Read more...]
April 2017: How to Engage the Disengaged
Over the years, we’ve seen a lot of trends come and go. Some have caused us to feel very optimistic about the future of work; yet, others have caused us great concern. For example, a recent poll indicates two-thirds of employees are not engaged at work. To quote James Harter, chief scientist for workplace management at Gallup, “They [Employees] feel negative about work and the workplace, and are doing more harm than good when they come to work.” The impact of disengaged employees is profound … [Read more...]
March 2017: Learning to Lead
Leadership is hard work. It takes knowledge, courage and determination. It also takes emotional intelligence, which entails identifying and managing your own emotions and those of others. In fact, a major research study concluded that emotional intelligence is a hallmark of truly effective leaders. In working with leaders for many years, we have found traits such as self-awareness, empathy, mutual respect, and communication have propelled people forward in their personal and professional … [Read more...]
February 2017: Managing People in Good Times and Bad
Managing people can be difficult. Managers are expected to attract and hire the best people for their teams. And, once they’re on board, managers must work hard every day to ensure their teams have the resources they need to achieve the goals assigned to them. Additionally, when obstacles arise, as they so often do, managers must help their team members overcome these challenges to maintain momentum. As we all know, the stakes are high. Managers are under a lot of pressure; yet, the rewards are … [Read more...]
January 2017: Commit to Achieving Greatness
The most important part of an organization’s commitment to achieving greatness is investing in its people. In his landmark book, Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Do Not, leadership expert Jim Collins wrote: “Those who build great companies understand that the ultimate throttle on growth for any great company is not markets, or technology, or competition, or products. It is one thing above all others: the ability to get and keep enough of the right people.” We … [Read more...]