The Power of Networking at Work
If you are like I was, you probably believe that – by coming to work, doing a great job, and being an accountable strong member of your team is what it’s all about. Better yet: many think that showing up early, working harder than anyone else, and staying late is a guarantee for some sort…
Read MoreMaximize Productivity in 1 Step
The internet is full of “5 Steps to Success” and “10 Things to be More Productive” articles … a few of which I wrote. With a wealth of information at our fingertips and zillions of articles about how to improve one’s lifestyle, the question is: why aren’t these tips helping? The thing is; if you…
Read More4 Links Between a Massive Sinkhole and Self Recharging
A Sinkhole and Self Recharging – an Unlikely Connection? As we look back on the years of 2015 and 2016 in Texas, it may be forever known as the Perpetual Flood Years. As a friend of mine stated: “We’ve had three 100-year floods in 2 years!” Just in the month of May last year: Texas…
Read MoreGive Up to Go Up: 4 Steps to Success
“If you want to live a life of significance, you will have to give up some things. The pathways of possibility is filled with trade-offs.” – John Maxwell I will admit that this is probably one of the most difficult success principles for me to swallow. I’m the Queen of Over-Achievement! I want to do…
Read MoreSuccess Story or Social Pressure?
Ever find yourself thinking “I should really do this …” but you aren’t thrilled about it? You aren’t alone: it’s called a feeling of obligation often coupled with the word: Should – which is one of my most despised words. I found myself using ‘should’ frequently when thinking about the next steps I should take…
Read MoreComplicating Continuous Improvement
Does the continuous improvement industry need to practice more of what we preach: do we need to lean out our Lean process and reduce our Six Sigma variations? Humans, by nature, tend to over-process the simple into complexities that are not strictly necessary. We change agents are acutely aware of this as we busily go…
Read MoreBreak the Success Barriers
Unfortunately not everything about the climb to success is fun. That may not come as a surprise, but what might interest you is just how few individuals can discipline themselves to do what makes them uncomfortable and even a little scared. Taking risks and viewing challenges as opportunities are not common traits in the human…
Read More‘The Connectors’ Series | Unspoken Leaders: Part I
Why connect? The importance of reaching out to others beyond that which is just a surface communication or a passing or fleeting touch upon an individual’s consciousness, can make the difference between success and failure in so many aspects of our lives. A connection with another human is vital to create a sense of community,…
Read MorePerforming to Your Expectations
You know that little voice inside your head that tells you how you can’t do something? (I really can’t stand that little voice.) For me it particularly present when I am working out and not performing to my expectations: it chimes in and starts telling me how I’m not good enough, I should train harder,…
Read More6 Ways to Win (Or Lose) a Client
Have you ever had a meeting with a potential client go so badly you just wrote the entire event off? Sure, we all have, and hopefully due to circumstances beyond our control. Since I have operated on both sides with both obtaining services and providing services: I know how important it is to be prepared…
Read MoreYou Can’t Find Time – And What to do About It
You cannot beg, borrow, steal, make, or find time. Time is our most precious gift and we waste so much of it every day. How often do you hear yourself say: “I’ll find time for that”, or “I’ll make some time”. It would be fantastic if we could make or find time – we’d be…
Read MoreTop Tips to Invest in Yourself Wisely
The other day I was taking a little time to myself to read and reflect as a part of my personal development plan and it struck me, as I was sitting on my balcony reading, how important this time is. Taking time and investing in yourself is critical to your mental balance, well-being, achieving your…
Read MoreAre You Training People to Think or Follow a Checklist?
Several weeks ago, at the MoreSteam annual Executive Briefing in Houston, Texas: Excellence in Process Improvement, there was an interesting presentation and discussion on Lean/Sigma training. The conference participants were comprised of a select group of experienced continuous improvement professionals, many of whom are program leaders. The question was raised (in essence): “Do our historical…
Read MoreThe Value of Open Dialogue [Why Old School is Cool]
How many emails do you have in your inbox? How much time out of your day do you spend trying to catch up on email? In today’s world, personal and business correspondence has drifted sharply away from in-person conversation and even voice communication. Email, social media, and texting have valuable benefits when used in moderation.…
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