(Originally published on ASAE’s Associations Now Daily News, January 10, 2020) The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to review and strengthen your professional network. Start by thinking strategically about your career goals and needs. Then, apply a proven framework for optimal success. When was the last time you reviewed and strengthened...Read More
Do you know some people who just seem to sail through the bumpy patches of life more easily than others? These people probably have strong “resiliency muscles” – and this means that they show up better, perhaps by projecting more calm and confidence in the face of uncertainty or adversity, than those who allow the...Read More
Last week I enjoyed speaking at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business’ Booth Women Connect Conference on executive presence and why it matters for driving organizational and career success. It was fun to have the ink factory “record” the session (check out their drawing!) – and it provided me a very visual way to see...Read More
The other day I asked a group of senior association leaders, “What’s the most important feedback you’ve ever gotten?” The responses were all over the board: “Talk less in meetings.” “Figure out how to work well with your peers.” “Become excellent at your job or find another one.” They shared that they’re happy to get...Read More
In Associations Now‘s recent leadership blog “Leaning In Is Just the Beginning,“ Contributing Editor Mark Athitakis looks at how women in associations are stepping up and speaking out. The reality is women need to speak out a lot more! Women comprise roughly 75% of the association and nonprofit workforce, but hold only 45% of the...Read More
Difficult conversations are just that – difficult. Lots of us go out of our way to avoid them, but it usually comes at a cost. At work it may mean we don’t ask for what we want; we avoid having those hard conversations around accountability with our colleagues; or we don’t provide our direct reports...Read More
(*Public speaking, formally and informally, is a key skill for leaders and a necessary part of a strong executive presence. In this limited blog series we’ll focus on the main steps for building your public speaking presentation skills. Your questions are welcomed and will be addressed in future Talking Points.) Fear of public speaking is...Read More
Perhaps you have had an opportunity in your work to lead or be part of creating an organization’s strategic plan. The plan, if used properly, is intended to help steer the organization’s work over a certain time period. Similarly, some of my clients create a personal strategic plan at the beginning of each year to...Read More
End-of-year is a great time to work on (or update) your personal strategic plan. If you’re not convinced, consider for a moment the benefits of having a well-thought out plan to help guide your life over the coming year. Some people have no plan and are passive spectators as their lives unfold before them. Those...Read More
As simple as it sounds, one of the challenges my clients often ask help on is figuring out how to tell stories – and how to tell them in a way that connects with other people. Lots of corporations use stories to connect with their customers – think Kashi cereal commercials featuring their employees traveling...Read More
