At the FBI Academy, new agents like myself spent five months role-playing, alternating between being the bad guy in need of arrest and the good guy whose job it was to take scum off the streets. The role-playing was meant to instill confidence in ourselves when we actually met one of these goons in real life.  Fast forward to an arrest a few weeks after landing in my first office. I pulled a gun on a guy wanted for extortion and murder. He looked like a ham hock with a face, not a baby-faced agent who complied with FBI rules of defensive tactics training.  The guy, who most recently ..read more

The interplay between recognition and the human psyche unravels a compelling narrative on motivation, performance and self-esteem. Personalized recognition, when woven thoughtfully into the fabric of an organization, can have a profound effect on individuals. These customized touches elevate not just their work experience but also their sense of worth and belonging. You can tap into the transformative power of recognition with thoughtfully designed awards that can be pivotal in not only acknowledging contributions but also in cultivating a positive organizational culture that resonates with ev ..read more

Enduring and meaningful leadership is about so much more than having the authority to give orders and set direction — in fact, many of the best leaders exemplify humility, respect and honest self-evaluation. Yet, they still believe in themselves and the decisions they make. Many of my clients are stumped on how to build confidence without trying to “throw their weight around,” as many leaders try to do. If you’re looking to boost your leadership confidence, read below for some of the tips I share when I’m coaching. 1. Practice self-examination When you’re confident and comfortable with yoursel ..read more

Entrepreneurs and founders often find themselves grappling with productivity challenges that stem from the unique demands and uncertainties of building and managing their businesses. From the early stages of conceptualizing a startup to the ongoing responsibilities of overseeing day-to-day operations and driving growth, entrepreneurs face a multitude of roles, tasks and decisions that can overwhelm even the most ambitious and high-performing individuals.  Let’s unpack some of them in greater detail, followed by examples. Wearing many hats As the leaders of their businesses, entrepreneurs ..read more

This week’s solar eclipse offered an opportunity to enjoy the awe of a rare natural phenomenon. As I watched our tiny moon obscure its outsized partner in the sky, things became very quiet. People paused. Hundreds at our venue shared mass undivided attention. Curiosity and wonder reigned for some time before, during and after the sun’s light overshadowed a much smaller celestial body. It was a profound experience of clarity and community — that can serve as a powerful metaphor for leaders in today’s organizations. Just as the moon can cast the world into momentary darkness, small acts of leade ..read more

“He met with every player, wanting to find out how the franchise could do a better job of supporting them, and he ended up doing far more listening than talking. The feedback from players convinced him that changes were needed.” The “he” in this paragraph, penned by Detroit Free Press writers Evan Petzold and Jeff Seidel, is Scott Harris, the president of baseball operations at the Detroit Tigers. Harris, though still in his late 30s, came to the Tigers with an impressive pedigree; he served in an executive capacity with the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants. In the nearly year and a hal ..read more

The one thing you don’t want is for others to misinterpret your intentions or form an inaccurate impression of you. However, it’s not merely how others perceive you; your nonverbal communication also impacts how you perceive yourself. Like a mirror reflecting our inner state, our gestures reveal confidence, authenticity and even vulnerability. There is a glut of reasons why you need to pay attention to gestures.  Consider this: 2006 research published in Psychological Science revealed that it takes as little as a tenth of a second for someone to form an impression of you — before you even ..read more

Collaboration requires a willingness of two or more people to work together to develop creative, win-win solutions. It requires trust and openness.    Where is the fine line between doing too much collaboration and needing more collaboration?   Too much collaboration Some leaders overdo it. They collaborate on every problem and issue that arises. This results in lengthy discussions and multiple meetings. It’s a time-killer! According to a Harvard Business Review article, some employees spend 80% of their time at work collaborating.  In general, how much time shoul ..read more

The traditional performance review process has become increasingly scrutinized in the evolving landscape of the modern workplace. While once regarded as a best practice for employee evaluation and development, a growing body of evidence suggests that this time-honored practice may be more of a hindrance than a help. It’s time to rethink our approach to performance feedback since the current system has reached its limits. But don’t just take my word for it. Chances are, if you ask managers and employees their thoughts on the value of performance reviews, you’ll most likely hear they see little ..read more

I realized how urgently something needed to change when I found myself at a leadership retreat in California and was asked by the facilitators if I wanted to scream to release pent-up anger. It was 2012, and I had been the CEO of a successful company for almost twenty years. On the outside, I was in a good place. On the inside…not so much. So I screamed, releasing years of frustration and unhappiness. I had never really considered that I was unhappy. I didn’t believe I had time for that as a leader. You get bonus points for production, not self-reflection. So, you simultaneously push yourself ..read more