The phrase, "You Go, Girl" has become one of those empowering statements that says a lot about women and about the support of their peers. Over the years, women's role in the workplace has developed so beautifully into this full-bodied reality, but the encouragement of fellow female workers has lagged behind. It’s funny that the phrase is somewhat of a cheer; a typically … [Read more...]
Women Leaders and the Gift of Authenticity
Leadership is a front-and-center job. It’s hard to hide, and if you have chosen leadership, why would you even want to be in the background? Yet, there are times we all need a break and even then, even when you are on holiday, you know you are still being judged, worshipped, detested, quoted, ridiculed, respected, and second-guessed. It’s the nature of the position. Take a … [Read more...]
Giving It Your Best
Winston Churchill gave it great perspective when he quoted, "It's no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary." Doing what is necessary is different for everyone, but who determines EXACTLY what's needed to do what is necessary? Over the years I've concluded that what's necessary means to, 1. be relentless, 2. be open to … [Read more...]
Changing Corporate Culture
I often use a DNA analogy when talking about the culture of an organization. Typically, the culture is so embedded, so ingrained into its people that it’s much like our DNA is to our eye color and personalities. It is the ONLY thing that sets us apart as humans—or as sales people—our unique DNA. Changing the DNA in your workplace may be as difficult as altering it in your … [Read more...]
Building Customer Loyalty
A satisfied customer is not a loyal customer by any means. I build brand and customer trust by being loyal to THEM and by NOT expecting them to be loyal to me! How do I build customer loyalty? I earn loyalty by giving it. I do it one “D” at a time: Discover (what is important or of value to my customer), Decide (what their experience will look like), Deliver (what I … [Read more...]
Thank You
This week as everyone prepares to give thanks for their family, or a meal or their favorite football team, I find myself wanting to thank the people who made me who I am today. Until recently re-building friendships on Facebook, I would not have been able to tell you how much people from my past…my way, way back in the past…are very much a part of who I have become. It is … [Read more...]
What’s Your Story
What’s your life's story going to be? I’m reading a book by Donald Miller called A Million Miles in A Thousand Years where Miller re-writes his own life, edits it actually, for adaptation to a screenplay. Given the chance, would you perform a re-write? I’m not finished with the book, but the question I am asking myself alongside Miller is why not go ahead and re-write it … [Read more...]
Behind the Mask
The Stones said it best when they advised, “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes you just might find…you get what you need.” That’s really what life is all about, right? Getting our basic needs met; the rest of our time is spent trying on different masks, cloaked in various costumes being who we need to be to realize those primal goals. Well, maybe … [Read more...]
How Much Help is Enough?
There is a pivot point we all need to find between being too caring or too cold when employees have personal issues. Women, hard-wired to be compassionate and consider others first, often get stuck in the caring rather than cold region. Here is an example: Roberta, a valued administrative assistant who does great work and is dedicated to her company had … [Read more...]
The Little Things
My pal Ben Franklin once said, "A little neglect may breed mischief: for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost." I love this quote because I'm somewhat little myself and I have been known to breed some mischief every now and again! But seriously, it reminds me how the little things are so very … [Read more...]