It is amazing! It is amazing, after all the has been written and all that has been done by organizations and individuals regarding women leaders, that we still hear so much ambiguity in discussion about the lack of progress in the percentage of women leaders in business. We do know what the barriers are and we do know that if these barriers are addressed they turn into … [Read more...]
Leadership and The Human Experience
In every field there are leaders who stand out in bright, bold colors in front of the pack. They are the teachers, not just for those who work for and with them; they are teachers and leaders for generations to come. When a leader is able to dive deeply into the essence of what makes us human there is a special quality that lingers long after what they have said or done is … [Read more...]
The Velcro/Teflon Syndrome
How do you handle compliments? Someone at work approaches you after a meeting and tells you that you did a really great job on a project. What do you say? Are you more likely to say, “Thank you. I worked very hard on that project and I am proud of how it all came together”? Or do you say, “Oh, it was nothing”? Why can’t we take credit for our accomplishments and … [Read more...]
Betty Takes on Walmart
Last week a San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals certified the largest class-action employment lawsuit in U.S. history. The dispute was first filed in 2001 by Betty Dukes, a store greeter from California, along with five co-workers. The plaintiffs argue that women are paid less and given fewer promotions than their male co-workers, and the lawsuit states that … [Read more...]
Happy Mother’s Day, You Ruined My Life!!!
Sometimes celebrations have an underlying edge of unfinished business that sits like a bad meal in the pit of the stomach. When it comes to family there is always unfinished business! This is not bad. It’s merely is an important point to consider. Holidays bring up the past. No, most folks don’t think about last year or the year before or the year before that consciously. … [Read more...]
The Power of Persistence
Is there some connection you’ve been nursing along for quite a while? For so long, in fact, that the original professional objective, perhaps a long shot to begin with, is starting to look like more fantasy than reality? As a coach specializing in goal setting I’m called on daily to encourage optimism. The notion that stating your goal and going for it puts you on the … [Read more...]
On-line Groups and “Discussions”
Are you, like me, sick of on-line “discussions” that are promotions? Books, videos, webinars, classes, insurance products, resume services, MLM opportunities, training programs, conferences – you name it and you will find it posted as a discussion topic. The idea for a discussion forum by social networks such as LinkedIn was just that – providing an opportunity to post … [Read more...]
Women and Networking
The Times Online from the UK, published an article in March called Why Women are Such Bad Networkers. It’s no good thinking that hard work will get you anywhere. If you want to make it to the top, you’re going to have to overcome your fear of socializing and start schmoozing like men. Of course, this caught my attention! Is this really true? Is it valid that women have a … [Read more...]
Tell Me My Baby’s Ugly
Reposted from March 15, 2009. I don't have kids so it's easy for me to say. I know it sounds harsh, but if I did have kids I'd really rather know. So often in business we are forced to work with people who won't go to that place of, "tell it like it is," and it's frustrating for the rest of us who want to know the ugly truth. I'm not suggesting you lose all regard and … [Read more...]
Brainstorming
Every so often, when my business experiences a bump in the road, or I sense there are opportunities “out there” that I am not approaching in the best way possible, I like to convene a “business brainstorm”. My company will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year, so you can imagine there have been more than a few of these sessions along the way. This I how it works for … [Read more...]